Metis Nation hopes to change diabetes occurrences

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A conference called A Personal Fight, A Nation's Plight, hosted by the Metis Nation of Alberta's health committee will focus on issues surrounding diabetes in Metis communities.

Project manager Fran Hyndman said the theme of the three-day conference, which takes place in Edmonton from March 17 to 19, has particular meaning.

"We just thought that this was really appropriate, because it is a personal fight when the whole nation is suffering with it. I'd say that we as Metis people have the same rate as First Nations people in having diabetes. We have about 50 per cent who have it. One small example of that is our provincial council is made up of 14 members and seven of those members have diabetes, so that is just a small sample of Metis people having diabetes. And I wouldn't be surprised if all 14 of them could also tell me about family members, friends or loved ones that have diabetes, so it is very severe."

Hyndman said it is important to maintain a healthy diet if people do not want to get the disease. And if someone were to have it, then they will get a lot of information on what foods to eat and what foods to stay away from if they attend the conference.

"It is important to send out the message that what you eat determines if you get diabetes, so they will be serving berries, yogurt, grilled meats, whole wheat sandwiches, whole wheat wraps, rye and pumpernickel bread, vegetable and fruit platters, tossed and spinach salads, whole fruit, bananas, scrambled eggs, oven baked ham, oatmeal, bran, blueberry muffins, salad, beef stew, whole wheat buns, water and no pop.

"This is really important to us, following the food guide and being active and making healthy choices. Water is the best. It is always healthy for you and it is better to eat the fruit than to drink a fruit juice because of the fibre in the fruit," she said.

"We are also going to learn how to use pedometers and hold a walking contest. Whoever wins is going to take home an exercise bike. We will teach people how to jig and we are going to have a cooking demonstration on how to cook healthy foods," she said.

People can register for the conference at the door. Although the Metis Nation is hosting the conference, Hyndman said all people are welcome.

"We are hoping to sell out, which is 250 people. The participants will be able to address what they have and need in their communities and what they would like to see and the kind of messages they could give to [Alberta Health] Minister [Gary] Mar. This is our first one ever. We started planning from last spring and we are still learning. We are actually like babies in conference planning. We've got a lot of other partners at the table, but Health Canada is the one that really got us going," she said.

"[The conference] is making people aware that if you do get diabetes that it is not a death sentence. If you do get it you can change your health by making changes that will make a positive impact, kind of reverse the path you are heading. You are in charge of your life and you can change things. You can become more active. Some of the things you can do is park your vehicle away from the door and take the stairs, play with your grandchildren. You do not have to go the gym to work out," she said.