About

Along with Tribal partners in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Tribal Engagement Partners (OKTEP) is working to prevent type 2 diabetes. We do this in many ways but our most important way is by learning from you.  Our programs are your programs. They were developed after many years of listening to the health and nutrition concerns of Native American families in Oklahoma.

We listened, learned and took action.

We listened to families and learned that type 2 diabetes is the most important nutrition and health concern. Elders told us it is important to teach children healthy choices at an early age. They shared education should include traditional ways and wisdom., We responded by creating the Eagle Adventure program for students in Grades 1-3. Eagle Adventure lessons and activities are built around the Eagle Books. In these books, wise animals are brought to life to share advice on how to stay healthy and strong. Mr. Eagle, Miss Rabbit and a clever trickster, Coyote, engage Rain That Dances and his young friends in the joy of being physically active, eating healthy foods and learning from their elders about traditional ways of being healthy. In the classroom, students learn to enjoy trying new foods, like fruits and vegetables, and they are encouraged to share all they learn from Mr. Eagle and friends with their family members. Follow us at www.facebook.com/EagleAdventure to find more family friendly fun.

Mothers told us nutrition and health advice needs to be real. They mentioned time, the cost of food and busy schedules as real concerns. We took these concerns to heart and worked with Tribes and families to develop the Diabetes is Not Our Destiny program. This program spans generations and highlights people and families who take action to be healthy and strong. As part of Diabetes is Not Our Destiny, you will see billboards, short stories of health, and recipes for families.  Follow us at www.facebook.com/NotOurDestiny for more ideas on how to stay healthy and strong. 

Our goal is to always listen and learn. We want this website and our social media sites to be a place for you to learn and share.  We aim to inspire healthy living through healthy stories and traditions. We would love to learn how you and your family stay heathy and strong. Contact us to share a recipe, a traditional story, ask a question, tell us how we can improve this website, or even better, tell us why type 2 diabetes is Not Your Destiny for a chance to be featured in a story of health!