What happening?
Approximately 71% of residents on the Wind River Indian Reservation are classified as obese, more than double the national average of 36.5% among U.S. adults (Reuters, 2024; Wikipedia, 2023). The average life expectancy on the reservation is just 49 years, a stark contrast to the national average of 77–79 years (Wikipedia, 2023).
Nationally, 17% to 19.7% of U.S. children and adolescents (ages 2–19) are obese, according to the CDC (CDC, 2022). Obesity rates are even higher among Native youth, with 19.2% of American Indian and Alaska Native children classified as obese (State of Childhood Obesity, 2023).
The Solution: Community-Driven Fitness, Nutrition, and Empowerment
The solution to this crisis lies in community-led, culturally grounded programs that restore access to physical activity, reclaim healthy food practices, and empower individuals to take charge of their wellness. The Destiny Program Corporation addresses the root causes of chronic disease through free, inclusive, and sustainable wellness services tailored to the unique needs of the Wind River Indian Reservation.
1. Free Access to Fitness & Coaching:
The Destiny Program provides no-cost access to a community-built fitness facility, youth and adult coaching programs, and structured physical activity opportunities. Our approach promotes movement at all ages and skill levels, using native role models to lead and inspire consistent participation.
2. Nutrition Education and Healthy Food Access:
We deliver hands-on nutrition education rooted in both modern science and traditional food knowledge. Cooking classes, meal planning, and youth-based education initiatives help shift eating habits and reconnect families to healthy foodways.
3. School and Tribal Program Partnerships:
By partnering with local schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, and tribal health programs, The Destiny Program integrates fitness and nutrition programming into daily life. We support after-school leagues, youth fitness clubs, and family wellness events to increase visibility and reach underserved populations where they are.
4. Culturally Empowered, Trauma-Informed Approach:
We center native identity, historical context, and healing in all our work. This includes trauma-informed coaching, integration of language and storytelling, and creating spaces where wellness is about more than physical health; it’s about reclaiming strength, tradition, and community.
Programs offered:
Intertribal Youth Fitness
A fun new way to get your youth moving. Offers an educational opportunity where they can learn about fitness and health. The program promotes healthy habits by giving access to active lifestyles by combining PLAY with fitness activities with a focus on movement skills. Our program is designed to improve strength endurance, metabolic conditioning, and overall wellbeing. Our goal is to create a positive and fun learning experience, and provide skills to kids they can use throughout the lifetime.
Intertribal Fitness
Intertribal Fitness offers an array of fitness components into one program for adults whom are seeking and/or maintaining a healthy lifestyle through physical fitness. The program is proven to improve fitness levels which creates overall wellbeing in their daily lives. Our goal is to provide adults with a positive and encouraging atmosphere, providing interactive coaching to ensure safe movement patterns. It helps increase mobility, promote fat loss and increase strength.
Intertribal Nutrition
Nutrition is the foundation of overall health. Intertribal Nutrition provides one-on-one nutrition coaching to develop sustainable healthy eating habits. It provides a nutrition guide and education in macronutrients and healthy portion sizes to promote fat and weight loss, build muscle, and/or increase sports performance. The program helps people obtain their goals, with a three month initial commitment. The program goal is to provide nutritional education and guidance in order to sustain healthy habits for the long term.
We also provide group support through the Diabetes Prevention Program and Blood Pressure self management program. These programs provide education to those who are at risk and or want to learn more about these conditions. These programs are on a scheduled basis for more information please contact us!
