Ponca tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Tribal Opioid and Stimulant Response Prevention
The Tribal Opioid and Stimulant Response Prevention Program is complimentary to the Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) Program and is also funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. The program supports and expands TOR program by focusing on additional substances people may use, providing recovery support, and creating a prevention campaign.
Addiction is often called a crisis of the spirit, so we must look to the sacred, traditional ways, and to ceremony for healing. Culture is prevention, so it is important to remember who the Creator made us to be. There is such a rich legacy and heritage we have as Ponca people – we are warriors that take a stand for those vulnerable, broken, and have lost their way. We love one another, help one another and depend on each other. If we fully embrace who we are, we have identity, purpose, and vision. We can begin to think differently and begin to act differently. In this way we find a new path and grow in a good way for our tribe, our community, our family, and ourselves.
“The concepts and practices of wellness, walking in beauty, harmony, and balance are extensions of resiliency-in-action within a tribal culture. Thus, when one sees an individual, family, group, or community showing signs of unhealthy, unbalanced, dysfunctional, and out of harmony behavior, this is a signal to all of the group members to “come into ceremony” once again. The cycle begins to restore itself through the use of traditions, values, and practices known to that culture and tribe” (Goodluck & Willeto, 2009).
Lesa McClung, B.A., CMI, ETS - Project Director
I have four children, six grandchildren and 34 years of experience in social and mental health services both in nations overseas and in the U.S. I have a bachelor’s degree, am a certified Case Manager, Employment Training Specialist, and other certifications in infant massage, parenting, and working with disabilities, mental health, neurodiversity, children, youth, and adults. I am also more than half-way through the Master of Social Work program and Native American Studies graduate certificate at the University of Oklahoma.
Michael Degan, MCP, LADC, LPC - Project Therapist
I am a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and a licensed professional counselor in the state of Oklahoma. I received my license in 2019. I work with children (8 years or older), adolescents, and adults. I can provide individual/family counseling, substance abuse counseling, alcohol and drug assessments, ADSAC/DUI assessments, and anger management. I have also received specialized training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Chronic Pain and Opioid use.
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:30pm
For more information:
White Eagle Behavioral Health
123 White Eagle Drive
Ponca City, OK 74601
580-304-2410
580-762-3421
580-485-8619
(580) 762-3413 - Fax
Michael.Degan@ihs.gov
Lesa.McClung@ihs.gov
Addiction is often called a crisis of the spirit, so we must look to the sacred, traditional ways, and to ceremony for healing. Culture is prevention, so it is important to remember who the Creator made us to be. There is such a rich legacy and heritage we have as Ponca people – we are warriors that take a stand for those vulnerable, broken, and have lost their way. We love one another, help one another and depend on each other. If we fully embrace who we are, we have identity, purpose, and vision. We can begin to think differently and begin to act differently. In this way we find a new path and grow in a good way for our tribe, our community, our family, and ourselves.
“The concepts and practices of wellness, walking in beauty, harmony, and balance are extensions of resiliency-in-action within a tribal culture. Thus, when one sees an individual, family, group, or community showing signs of unhealthy, unbalanced, dysfunctional, and out of harmony behavior, this is a signal to all of the group members to “come into ceremony” once again. The cycle begins to restore itself through the use of traditions, values, and practices known to that culture and tribe” (Goodluck & Willeto, 2009).
Lesa McClung, B.A., CMI, ETS - Project Director
I have four children, six grandchildren and 34 years of experience in social and mental health services both in nations overseas and in the U.S. I have a bachelor’s degree, am a certified Case Manager, Employment Training Specialist, and other certifications in infant massage, parenting, and working with disabilities, mental health, neurodiversity, children, youth, and adults. I am also more than half-way through the Master of Social Work program and Native American Studies graduate certificate at the University of Oklahoma.
Michael Degan, MCP, LADC, LPC - Project Therapist
I am a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and a licensed professional counselor in the state of Oklahoma. I received my license in 2019. I work with children (8 years or older), adolescents, and adults. I can provide individual/family counseling, substance abuse counseling, alcohol and drug assessments, ADSAC/DUI assessments, and anger management. I have also received specialized training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Chronic Pain and Opioid use.
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 4:30pm
For more information:
White Eagle Behavioral Health
123 White Eagle Drive
Ponca City, OK 74601
580-304-2410
580-762-3421
580-485-8619
(580) 762-3413 - Fax
Michael.Degan@ihs.gov
Lesa.McClung@ihs.gov