Bands support diabetes research

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The second annual diabetes awareness golf scramble at the Paul First Nation reserve is expected to raise $4,000 for diabetes research.

Eighteen four-person teams came out to golf for a good cause despite the cold, windy weather on Sept. 7. Last year, 22 teams raised more than $5,000, said Henry Arcand, one of the organizers.

The money will go to the Three Feathers Research Foundation, which is an extension of the Arnold J. Brant Scramble for Diabetes Golf Tournament organized by members of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

The mission of the foundation is to find and support research of clinical projects directly related to health issues affecting Aboriginal people. "A Mohawk guy lost his brother to diabetes, and he started the foundation," Arcand said.

In February, the foundation will be requesting proposals from different institutions, including the University of Alberta, for projects trying to stop the increasing diabetes problem in Aboriginal communities, Arcand said.

Assembly of First Nations vice-chief Wilson Bearhead was another organizer at the tournament at the Ironhead Golf Club. "For too long we relied on the government to save us. From now and in the future we have to work together. We have to insure that those who have diabetes overcome it, and that our young people who don't have it now don't get it," said Bearhead.

Bearhead is diabetic. "We came here (to the tournament) to support the foundation to fight this disease," he said.

Victor Buffalo from Samson First Nation said the tournament was a very good initiative. "My brother died in May of a heart attack; he was diabetic, so am I," he said.

According to the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association, the risk of diabetes among Aboriginal people is three times greater than among the general population. About two-thirds of the First Nations people with diabetes are women. Recently, children aged five to eight have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in central Canada.

Diabetes occurs when the body can't control its blood sugar level. Symptoms of the disease include unusual thirst, frequent urination, unusual weight loss, lack of energy, blurred vision, frequent infections, numbness in hands or feet, and slow healing of cuts and bruises. Sometimes, people don't show the symptoms.

If left untreated, high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the body, causing heart problems, high blood pressure, strokes, kidney disease, blindness, and limb amputations.

A healthy diet, weight control, exercise and stress reduction are prevention measures. Medications may be needed to assist the body in using insulin, which ensures energy needs are met.

Few of the teams in the standings were made up of members of one community. Most teams had participants from various First Nations and results were posted according to the names of their team leaders:

1st place - Paul First Nation/team leader Michael Rain

2nd place - Paul First Nation/team leader Ivan Bird

3rd place - Alexander First Nation/team leader Harvey Burnstick

4th place - team of Oliver Rain

5th place - team of Johnson Rain

6th place - team of Barry Adams

7th place - team of Stanley Bearhead

8th place - team of Casey Bird

9th place - team of Calvin Steinky, Igloo Building Supplies

10th place - team of Don Morin, Alberta Indian Industrial Corporation

11th place - team of Isaac Rain

12th place - team of Percy Rain

13th place - team of Wilson Bearhead

14th place - team of Norman Calliou

15th place - team of Raymond Michele

16th place - team of Irvin Adams

17- Erminskin First Nation team

18- First Nations and Inuit Health Branch team

Individual results

Men's/ladies' jackpot: Armand Arcand from team 15

Ladies tournament, closest to pin: Emily Bird from team 4

Men's jackpot long-drive: Casey Bird from team 12

Ladies' long-drive: Brenda Blyan from team 12

Men's tournament, closest to pin: Higgens (full name not available)

Men's tournament long-drive: Gordon Burnstick from team 7

Longest putt: Olver Rain from team 4