Oklahoma City Indian Clinic’s Cultural Classes
By: Courtney Whiteman, Cultural Advisor
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC) serves patients from more than 220 tribes, creating a vibrant intertribal community in an urban setting. This diversity makes OKCIC a unique place where people come together to share, learn, and celebrate their traditions. In a city where cultural practices can sometimes feel distant, classes like Coffee & Culture and Build & Bring provide rare opportunities for fellowship, cultural exchange, and connection across tribal lines—while also giving patients tools to support healthy living.
Coffee & Culture
This summer, a new class called Coffee & Culture was launched for patients aged 55 and older, offering a space where community, conversation and culture come together. Each week, elder participants gather in the demonstration kitchen to begin their morning with a gentle yoga stretch, a warm cup of coffee, and a meaningful discussion centered on their tribal traditions and heritage.
Where Memory Meets Meaning
In the first session, patients completed a word search featuring greetings in various tribal languages. While it may seem simple, this activity did more than pass the time. Searching for familiar words in their Native or related languages helped spark memory in deeply personal ways. For many, seeing their language represented brought feelings of pride, validation and connection. It wasn’t just about keeping the brain active, it was about keeping culture alive.
The Power of Cultural Connection
Engaging in culturally meaningful activities can have profound benefits on mental, emotional and physical health. Studies in Indigenous communities have shown that cultural connectedness, whether through language, ceremonies, or traditional crafts, is linked to lower rates of depression, higher self-esteem, decreased substance use, and greater overall well-being. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other public health organizations, cultural identity is a powerful protective factor, especially for Native populations affected by historical trauma. By creating a space for elders to share stories, practice language, and engage in traditional practices, programs like Coffee & Culture not only foster conversation but also nurture healing, resilience, and intergenerational connection.
Build & Bring
Another exciting addition is a class called Build & Bring, open to patients of all ages. Designed to foster connection and creativity, this class invites participants to bring in personal projects that hold cultural significance, whether it’s beadwork, regalia, painting, sewing, or other traditional crafts. Many of these pieces take time and dedication to complete. OKCIC has a long-standing tradition of offering cultural classes that teach patients how to make shawls, weave baskets, bead lanyards and more. Sometimes, due to time constraints to complete intricate works of art, these beautiful and meaningful items aren’t finished during class.
Creating with Purpose
Build & Bring provides time, space, and support for people to continue or complete meaningful projects. Instructor Courtney Whiteman, Kiowa and Muscogee (Creek) Nation, draws on her experience learning to bead and sew regalia with her family, bringing that sense of community to every session. The class has also inspired patients to create new projects outside the clinic, including beaded earrings, claw clips, ribbon shirts, shawls, and vests.
Building a Community
Beyond crafting, the class features weekly conversations on cultural topics, giving patients a chance to reflect, share, and learn from each other. Research shows that group engagement in traditional creative practices strengthens cultural identity, reduces stress, and builds emotional resilience. Build & Bring is more than a class—it’s a space where culture is kept alive, stories are passed down, and community grows, one project at a time.
For additional information, including the current schedule and how to join, visit okcic.com/events, follow us on social media, or call (405) 948-4900 ext. 748.