Programs promote diabetes awareness and prevention

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The Aboriginal population of Saskatchewan, and of Canada as a whole, is currently facing an undeniable health crisis, as diabetes rates continue to climb for both First Nations and Metis people. With the prevalence of the disease now estimated at three to five times that of the general population, Aboriginal organizations and communities across the province are devoting extensive time and resources to increasing awareness of diabetes, to educating at-risk individuals on preventative measures, and to helping those already diagnosed with diabetes to deal with this manageable, but potentially debilitating and deadly disease.

"In 1999, there were approximately 3,200 new cases of diabetes reported in Saskatchewan. Although Aboriginal people only make up 13.1 per cent of the population, 33.5 per cent of those new cases were Aboriginal," explained Jan Knoll, diabetes co-ordinator for the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC).

The PAGC initiated its diabetes program seven years ago, before the full scope of the problem was even known. Serving a total of 14 communities and First Nations around Prince Albert, and across the province's vast, sparsely settled North, the PAGC diabetes program has always sought to address all aspects of the disease, from awareness to prevention to treatment to counselling.

"We have a health nurse and a dietician who regularly visit our communities," said Knoll. "We also have two program assistants, one fluent in Cree and one in Dene. They help with translation, and they also helped develop accurate, culturally sensitive resources."

These resources explain the benefits of healthy diets and lifestyles, and also provide clear facts on the symptoms, treatment and potential complications of diabetes. They are being widely distributed through school presentations, public seminars, health centres and band offices.

By working in partnership with local health districts, the PAGC has been able to reach even more people, and Knoll is happy to note that awareness of the disease is growing.

Much more still remains to be done, though, and the PAGC diabetes program (along with dozens of similar programs across the country) is now benefiting from the federal government's 1999 commitment of $58 million over 5 years toward the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative. Twenty on-reserve programs are currently being funded within Saskatchewan, covering 72 First Nation communities. In addition, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) is working with nine non-aligned First Nations to set up diabetes programs for their people.

The program of the Prince Albert Grand Council is one of four broad, off-reserve initiatives that received federal funding this year. The Battlefords Family Health Centre, the Qu'Appelle Valley Friendship Centre, and the Saskatoon-based Saskatchewan First Nations Network on Disabilities are also delivering diabetes programs tailored to the specific needs in their areas.

"What we tried to do was put together programs that were specific and culturally appropriate to the different groups (on and off reserve First Nations, Metis and Inuit), something that met their specific needs, rather than a one- size-fits-all, made in Ottawa solution," explained Maureen Thompson, program manager for the federal government's Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative. "Programs were developed, and are being administered by people at the community level, so capacity is being established at that level for ongoing programming."

Diabetes can be treated and managed, but there is as yet no cure, so the availability of ongoing programming is a major concern at both the federal and community levels. Aboriginal diabetes isn't a problem that is going to disappear overnight, but through the efforts of Knoll and the Prince Albert Grand Council, and those of the many other organizations, communities, and individuals working hard to combat the disease, it is a problem that is now being recognized, addressed and slowly brought undr control.