NationTalk: AnishinabekNews.ca – CHIPPEWAS OF RAMA FIRST NATION—The Anishinabek Nation hosted its 2nd Annual Diabetes Conference, Embracing Diabetes with Knowledge and Care, from March 6-7, in Chippewas of Rama First Nation as a way to bring together frontline workers who care for Indigenous people with diabetes.

Day 1 of the conference welcomed a variety of presenters from all disciplines including Nephi Craig, Indigenous Chef; Ryan Hooey, who is with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind; Stacey Ely and Autumn Watson with the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle; Karen Graham, Canadian author and registered dietitian best known for her published works on diabetes; and a panel discussion with young adults on their lived experiences with diabetes and perspectives.

Day 2 of the conference was equally filled with excellent guest speakers with valuable information to share with about 100 participants to learn from and bring back to their practice in their respective work.

Anishinabek Nation Northern Superior Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Mel Hardy opened up the conference with welcoming remarks.

“As someone who lives with diabetes, I understand the difficulties of navigating the healthcare system while trying to successfully manage the disease — it’s a lifetime commitment; however, we have strength in our own ways,” says Northern Superior Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Mel Hardy. “It is important that we, as leaders, continue to advocate for improved access to diabetes treatments and programs. It is important that our citizens have readily covered access to new options that are proven to be successful and without a prior approval process.”

Dr. Nicole Redvers from Deninu K’ue First Nation joined Day 2 participants to deliver her presentation on Bridging Indigenous Medicine Systems with Western Systems.

“We cannot solve complex problems from the same worldview that created them in the first place. Yet we are continuing to do that within diabetes spaces,” Dr. Redvers stated. “No wonder we have lifestyle diseases when we’re promoting colonial nutrition guidelines for folks who have very different diets depending on their geological adaptations to the regions that they’re from and the foods that they consume… Traditional food diets are higher in nutrients compared to non-Indigenous diets… In the complexity of the current issues we face, our food systems will play a huge role.”

Darrell Boissoneau of Garden River First Nation and Evelyn Stone of Michipicoten First Nation, as well as a member of the Anishinabek Nation Kwe-Wuk Advisory Council, comprised the Lived Experience with diabetes and perspectives from adulthood panel where they explored self-care practices, diabetes management, barriers, and advice.

“There’s a lack of knowledge and awareness. It has taken me a long time to acquire the education and knowledge necessary to care for myself,” says Boissoneau. “There are many ways we can take care of ourselves and I’m of the opinion that it’s both Western and Traditional methods to care for ourselves.”

With the lights dimmed to a soft glow, instrumental music playing Crystal Bomberry guided participants through a mindfulness activity, a practice of embracing awareness, presence, stillness, and relaxation. She followed this activity with a more in-depth presentation on Cultivating Inner Peace (Stress Management), along with a guided mindfulness movement segment.

Following a reenergizing movement segment, participants were ready to learn about Working Together to Improve Kidney Care as presented by Marc Hébert and Mallika Patil with the Ontario Renal Network (Ontario Health). Chronic kidney disease is mainly caused by diabetes and hypertension, both things that disproportionately affect First Nations people.

“Dialysis treatment is uniquely tailored to [a person’s] health and well-being, as well as their own personal preferences,” says Hébert as he explains kidney dialysis, the process of removing excess water, solutes, and toxins from the blood in people whose kidneys can no longer perform these functions naturally. “No matter what treatment a person chooses, they are fully supported by their care team, which includes social workers, nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, and others.”

Cheryl Schultz, Registered Nurse at the Matawa Health Co-operative provided insight into diabetes care from a northern perspective, including challenges surrounding food insecurity for proper dietary needs and the ability to provide services and screenings for those in remote communities.

“It’s important to talk to your clients and try to understand what’s going on…We have to meet people where they’re at because our goal may not be their goal,” Schultz says, explaining that further discussions can lead to a better understanding of reasons why a client may be reluctant to receive the required care. “It’s not enough to see someone once every three months; it’s more than that. You need to be a cheerleader.”

Kendra Recollet and Sara Duchene-Milne, Registered Nurses with Noojmowin Teg Health Centre in Little Current, Ont., closed out the conference by delivering their presentation exploring the basics of diabetes and pregnancy.

“We don’t expect anyone to remember everything that we say, often it’ll take a few visits and that’s fine,” expressed Recollet when describing their approach to caring for their patients. “We try to meet people where they’re at, not even just at a clinic. We try to make the environment not too sterile and make it more homie so they feel more comfortable sharing information with us…We’re Anishinabek. We share with one another. We always try to share a little bit about ourselves.”

By Laura Barrios