In-person wellness activities resume for Tribal Health Dept.

Kyle Knox
Gila River Indian News

Tribal Health Department’s (THD) Community Health Education hosted a two-day Family Wellness Bootcamp on Sept. 9 and 10. Focusing on kick starting in-person activities for the Community, the two-day boot camp emphasized the importance of spiritual, mental, and physical health. 

On Friday, Sept. 9, THD hosted a virtual workshop that provided an overview of one’s mental and spiritual health benefits. The effects of the pandemic varied but took a toll on everyone’s lifestyles and overall health. The workshop helped everyone to understand those effects. In addition, it provided new strategies to benefit everyone’s mental and spiritual wellness at home. 

On the second day, THD hosted a fun run/walk, tasking everyone from day one to a one-mile, at your pace, route at the Sacaton Fairgrounds walking path. 

In total, 28 participants attended both days of the boot camp. 

“We’re very exciting to have this first event, after COVID, cause now we can work on our program goals and objectives so it was nice to see everyone in attendance over the two days,” said Nicole Watson, THD Community Health Education Manager.

Throughout the pandemic, THD took the lead in contact tracing efforts from COVID exposures for GRIC, drastically shifting their scope of work for two years.

Nicole Fulwilder, District 3, brought her family out for the walk and said she enjoyed being together with the Community once again. Fulwilder said, “During the pandemic we weren’t as active as we should have been, so this was a great way to start exercising as a family.”

Fulwilder’s son said he had fun during the walk and valued their time together talking as a family.