Young and old will learn together

The Chippewas of the Thames First Nation have partnered with the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC), and sanofi-aventis Canada, a pharmaceutical company, to establish a four-season community greenhouse adjacent to the SOAHAC medical clinic of Munsee, Ont.

The greenhouse will be an intergenerational community centre to facilitate diabetes education and promote healthy eating and lifestyle changes that will encourage First Nations to better self-manage their diabetes.

“We are excited to partner with sanofi-aventis on this very important initiative,” said Brian Dokis, the executive director of the health access centre.

“In a recent Food Choice Study conducted by the centre and the University of Western Ontario, one of the recommendations was the establishment of a community garden to address income and place-based food challenges.

“We’re pleased to see this recommendation become a reality in southern Ontario. Our joint partnership with the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and sanofi-aventis represents an important milestone in our fight against diabetes.”

Diabetes is three to five times more prevalent among the Chippewas of the Thames First Nations. Most cases are preventable Type 2 diabetes. Challenges include the medication compliance within the communities, which is only 25 per cent. The three partners see clear opportunities to work jointly towards improved health outcomes.

“Sanofi-aventis’ goal is to find solutions to the gaps in patient care that exist in our health system. This project does exactly that. Our company has donated $123,000 to finance construction and supplies for this project, along with the sharing of our knowledge,” said Hugh O’Neill, president and CEO, sanofi-aventis Canada.

“We’re hopeful our investment can contribute to the reduction of health disparities amongst First Nations by supporting better disease management and realizing better health outcomes.”

“The greenhouse will serve three First Nations communities (Chippewas, Oneida and Munsee), providing healthy food and medicinal herbs,” said Joe Miskokomon, chief of the Chippewas of the Thames.

“It will unite both young and old in the community to learn about nutrition and healthy living. Given the epidemic of diabetes among our First Nations today, a project like this is critical to better diabetes management and the future of our community.”