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Stoney Nakoda residents fight back against diabetes

According to a 2009 study from Health Canada, the age-standardized, self-reported prevalence of diabetes among First Nations adults living on-reserve was 19.7 per cent — 14.5 percentage points higher than the general population.

According to a 2009 study from Health Canada, the age-standardized, self-reported prevalence of diabetes among First Nations adults living on-reserve was 19.7 per cent — 14.5 percentage points higher than the general population.

And fighting this epidemic are Stoney Nakoda First Nation residents Roland Rollinmud and Clifford Poucette. Working together — and with other members of the nation — the two have spearheaded a collection of meetings and information sessions to raise awareness of and, hopefully, combat the disease.

“We’re doing this openly for the public,” explained Roland Rollinmud. “We should be paying attention to this particular killer — for our youth.”

Reports indicate that Rollinmud’s considerations are on point. A 2001 release from Health Canada found that Type 2 diabetes occurred at a younger age for First Nations people than for other Canadian populations. In addition, the same study reported “higher rates of complications, greater severity at diagnosis and a lack of services for the First Nations population.”

“I would say that everyone on the Nation is affected by diabetes,” said Jan Gale, an energy healer and shamanic practitioner at Sulis Healing.

Through her work, Gale said she sees a number of diabetes-sufferers, including Rollinmud. She said these information sessions will go a long way in raising diabetes awareness in the First Nations community.

“We have to give people honesty: diabetes isn’t simple, it’s serious. And yes, you can control it,” said Rollinmud positively.

He estimated that about 200 people on the reserve suffer from diabetes.

Rollinmud has been living with Type 2 diabetes for more than 25 years and he said it’s only now that he’s really come to terms with the disease. During his experience, he said he’s tried his hand at a variety of methods to deal with the disease.

Symptoms of the disease include rapid weight gain or rapid weight loss, increased thirst, blurred vision, and tiredness associated with the rise and fall of blood sugar levels.

“At first I panicked, thinking I wasn’t normal,” said Rollinmud, who was diagnosed at the age of 35. “The more I panicked, the worse my symptoms were.”

From then, he said he moved on to ignoring the disease, just assuming it would progress. It wasn’t until a heart attack in the mid-90s that Rollinmud said he woke up and started to manage his diabetes.

“After my heart attack, I was on so many pills,” he said. “I was told I could go back to my normal if I took control — if I didn’t let the disease control me.”

Now 62 years old, Rollinmud said he’s cut alcohol, fast food and sugary foods out of his diet. In addition, he uses physical activity to keep his body strong and healthy. Nothing hardcore, he said, just a 20-30 minute walk is enough to keep his blood levels normal.

Exchanging tips like these will be a big part of the diabetes information meetings, said Rollinmud. So far, two meetings have occurred and been well-received, he said.

“We’re looking at it like exchanging recipes,” he explained. “We give each other the best advice we have — what works for us.”

A combination of traditional medicine and new technologies will be discussed, as will unique, health-conscious options that many might not have even considered to prevent and manage diabetes — like creating community gardens to grow healthy foods, he said.

Growing a community garden would be a great option, agreed Gale.

“Low budgets often lead to purchase of low quality foods,” she said. “Growing healthy food would make it more affordable to eat well. Also, it’s a great way to get outside and get exercise — and build community.”

The information meetings are not limited to only the community of the Stoney Nakoda Nation, but to everyone in the surrounding area who is interested in learning about the disease.

“I would ask the community to come and support each other,” said Rollinmud. “We can come out and help each other to live longer. This will help us be (role models) for the younger generation.”

The next meeting is scheduled for April 22 at 10 a.m. at the boardroom in the Stoney Tribal Administration Building.

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