Diabetes Lay

Diabetes Lay Education Program

Mission Statement

The Indian Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie is guided by the teachings given by the Creator to the Aboriginal people. These teachings will unite us in harmony as we build a strong, proud and healthy urban community for seven generations to come.

Purpose

To promote healthy lifestyle choices in order to reduce the onset of diabetes by providing a consistent, high quality visible diabetes prevention program for the Aboriginal people in Sault Ste. Marie.

Aboriginal people are at high risk of Type 2 diabetes. The traditional lifestyle of the aboriginal people was very active and included eating healthy foods. Today lifestyles have changed and people are not as active and eat less healthy. This is one of the reasons why aboriginal people are at much higher risk than the average population of developing diabetes. Diabetes is a very serious disease and should be taken serious.

Risk factors you should know about:

¨ Overweight

¨ Inactive

¨ Hereditary

¨ Being of Aboriginal descent

¨ Over age 40

¨ Having a baby 9lbs or over

Even though you cannot change who you are, or that your parents may have diabetes, you can change your lifestyle habits in order to try and prevent the onset of diabetes, such as eating healthier and being more active.

You can prevent diabetes it’s all up to you!

Diabetes Lay Educator Program Services

¨ One-on-one counselling

¨ Referrals

¨ Family swim nights

¨ Collective kitchen

¨ Walking Club (spring/summer)

¨ Yoga classes (fall/winter)

¨ Quarterly Newsletter

¨ Healthy Lifestyle sessions

¨ Presentation/Information sessions

Weight Loss Support/Talking Circle

If your require any information regarding diabetes prevention information, program services, or you would just like to come in for a coffee and want to talk, please do not hesitate to contact me or drop by my office – 256-5634.

“Let’s keep our families healthy and happy for generations to come.”

122 East Street

Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Canada P6A 3C6

Phone: 705-256-5634

Fax: 705-942-3227

E-mail: info@ssmifc.ca