Wellness Warriors challenge: BAH KHO-JE Restoration

The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma’s newly formed Youth Council completed their UNITY Wellness Warrior’s Community Service Project named BAH KHO-JE Restoration this year. The youth spent one day making traditional footballs out of Elk Skin, taught to them by an Elder in the tribe. The next day they had a day of Indian Football we call Tawe Thi. There was healthy food and education booths at the registration for the event. After booth participation, the tribe’s Business Council Person and UNITY Co-Advisor, Eagle McClellan,  came said a few words of support and offered a blessing over the food and event. A healthy breakfast of bananas and peanut butter was served before the first game. Played in the traditional way of the homemade ball being rolled into the field between the two teams, guys were able to kick and throw the ball while the girls on each team could also pick the ball up and run with it while in their possession. It didn’t take long before strategies and plans  were made to get that ball across the goal lines, even once a team picking up a girl player and carrying her across the goal line, which is traditionally permitted. Read More