Senior leads community in walk for health

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The Big River First Nation celebrates Diabetes National Awareness Week each May, but the community's dedication to fitness doesn't end with one week of activities. For the past year, the 1,700 residents who live on the reserve, located approximately 120 kilometres from Prince Albert, have been enjoying a friendly competition with one another to accumulate kilometres of walking for fitness.

"Probably the most notable of our walkers is Mary Lenora Lachance," said Theresa Bradfield, who works at the Big River First Nation health centre. "Mary is 65 years old and joined the program in April. She's already walked over 400 kilometres."

The Big River Cree were concerned about the ever-increasing incidence of diabetes among Aboriginal people. Big River and two neighbouring bands, Pelican Lake and Witchekan Lake First Nations, formed the Diabetes Strategic Committee to look into ways of encouraging their residents to increase their daily activities, live a more healthy lifestyle, and eat more nutritious meals. The committee members resolved to be actively involved themselves, setting an example by walking every day.

"We came up with prizes, such as vests, sweatshirts, head bands, and jogging pants, which our walkers receive when they reach specific 25 or 50 kilometre stages, and the competition among our members has been wonderful," she said. "The school children, the teachers, and community members can often be seen utilizing the athletic track that was built some time ago for a summer games competition, or walking elsewhere on reserve."

The community became motivated to put the program in place when a seven-year-old girl became the youngest resident to develop diabetes. "We admitted that we had to do something to stop the disease. When even young children were becoming affected with diabetes, we realized the seriousness of the life-long condition. But we also knew there existed many recommendations to help prevent it."

Bradfield said that her community had been in denial about diabetes and its incidence rate until the diagnosis of the youngster was confirmed. "It's a lifestyle choice. We can prevent it."

Lachance has inspired children and adults alike. She can be seen through winter storms and summer heat, walking regularly, even before the program began.

"She walks everywhere, and she lives quite a ways from the centre of our community. Once she started recording her kilometres with the walking club, they added up amazingly," Bradfield said.

School children have chosen Lachance as the topic of choice when asked to write essays about a person who inspired them, said Bradfield. "They frequently choose her as a role model."

Lachance lives alone and enjoys participating in all community events and activities. "During our annual Native Cultural Week she's a major participant. And she stops in at the health centre on a regular basis, just checking up on us," said Bradfield.

Health Canada has published statistics showing the alarming incidence of diabetes among Aboriginal people. A recent report stated that the prevalence of diabetes was three times the national average among the general population. As well, men and women living on reserves had three times the rate of heart problems and hypertension, compared to the general Canadian population. Reasons cited include the cultural changes that Indigenous peoples have undergone in past generations since traditional lifestyles have been replaced by modern activities.

In Big River, many are trying to reverse these statistics by following Lachance's example. "Most of us live within walking distance of our employment, but we drive to work. We have to start leaving the car at home," said Bradfield. "We encourage other Aboriginal people to get involved in similar programs, to watch what they eat, and to get more active."