Communities tackle health issues using holistic approach

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Like many First Nations communities, the Manitoba communities of Garden Hill, Wasagamack, Red Sucker Lake and St. Theresa Point have struggled with the effects of an ever increasing incidence of diabetes among their 7,500 residents. Since 1990 the rate of diabetes in these communities has doubled, according to recent health statistics.

With an estimated one in every eight Oji-Cree people suffering from or in danger of developing the disease, health officials, educators and band councils realized that heightening public awareness of the disease and its effects was essential to countering the disease.

That realization has led to an intensive health education program aimed at the youth in the community, to discuss the important role of a healthy diet in combating the disease.

"We know that the changes in the diet of our people, from their traditional staples of wild meat, fish and game to processed food high in fat, salt and sugars, has contributed to the increase in the disease and to it's continuing effects on those who already suffer from the disease," said Island Lake Tribal Council health director Pauline Wood Steinman.

A recent health survey conducted on the four tribal council member communities, said Wood-Steinman, indicated education was urgent.

"Over 80 per cent of those interviewed said that greater public education on nutrition and the disease itself was needed, so we responded immediately."

That response included establishing an education program in the schools that promotes a high intake of fruit and vegetables and reduced consumption of processed and fatty foods, she added.

However, a recent health survey prepared by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, and the Northern Health Research Unit of the University of Manitoba, revealed that families in the community often ran out of money for food. It was also found that people were suffering from weight problems, were experiencing problems in obtaining wild meat, and were suffering from the after effects of the disease, such as depression, kidney and heart problems.

And because the communities are remote, the cost of obtaining nutritious foods is a major impediment to improving diets.

"We are working on alleviating these problems at the regional and tribal council level," said Wood-Steinman.

She said communities are attempting to establish their own grocery stores in order to ensure a healthier range of food products are available. Some communities are looking at setting up co-operative bulk food purchases to offset the high shipping costs of fresh vegetables, fruit and high fibre products.

"The problem cannot be solved by a quick fix. It took years for our people to develop vulnerability to the disease and it will take some time to reverse that trend through improving living conditions and accessibility to services," she said.

"Education remains the most effective tool to start this process and the youth are our best hope to begin reversing the trends we have experienced."

Teachers, community health professionals and band government's have played an active role in the education process by using every opportunity to promote healthier lifestyles for the young people and assist the youth to identify the signs they or family members might have the disease.

"They're many people in our community who are not even aware that they have the disease. That is a particularly frightening danger," said Wasagamack First Nation community health co-ordinator, John Harper. "We give them the knowledge to improve their diets or how to obtain treatment for the disease. One of our continuing lessons is that by identifying the disease early it can be managed and prevent problems later such as blindness and heart disease."

While the program has only been running for a few months there are great hopes it, along with the emerging revitalization of traditional lifestyle, cultural awareness and infrastructure improvements in the community, will begi to turn the tide in fighting and preventing the disease.

"You have to remember that we are looking at the big picture, at improving the basic living conditions for our people and building healthier spiritual and physical communities. You can't look at diabetes in isolated terms, you have to look at everything from people's mental, cultural and physical needs, in order to make a lasting impact," said Wood-Steinman.