TAHLEQUAH — The Cherokee Nation recently received the Certificate of Excellence from the Certified Healthy Business Program, a yearly health initiative from the Oklahoma Turning Point Council, the Academy for State Goals, the State Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The program recognizes businesses that work to improve Oklahoma’s health status by providing health and wellness opportunities for their employees.
The Oklahoma Certified Healthy Business Program recognizes Oklahoma businesses that provide health and wellness opportunities, and are working to improve the health status of Oklahomans. To be certified, businesses must meet specific criteria, including providing employee health screenings, workplace health and nutrition education, opportunities for physical exercise activities, management support for healthy workplace environments, tobacco use prevention activities, and sharing wellness activities within their respective communities. There were 46 businesses selected to receive Certificates of Excellence this year.
Last year, the Cherokee Nation passed legislation declaring all Cherokee Nation government buildings and property smoke and tobacco free. The Nation provides tobacco cessation classes as well as many health-promoting activities to employees and members of the community throughout the year, including health fairs, exams, stickball, WINGS activity club, healthy cooking courses, nutrition counseling and more. The Nation also operates the Male Seminary Complex Recreation Center in Tahlequah, which is free to all employees and their families, as well as Cherokee Nation citizens.
