Federal health minister announces funding for aboriginal diabetes programs

LONG PLAIN FIRST NATION, Man.- The federal government is giving aboriginal people a $110-million boost to help fight diabetes in their communities.

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced the funding Wednesday at Manitoba's Long Plain First Nation, lauding the community for its commitment to supporting healthy living.

"I think there's lessons to be learned here," Aglukkaq said of Long Plain, which is near Portage la Prairie. "This is a model I think we need to duplicate.

"It is an important investment in the long term health of Canada's aboriginal people."

The money over the next two years will go toward the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative which provides diabetes-related education and health resources to communities.

The importance of the initiative hits close to home for Long Plain residents.

Mounted on the wall of the health services building where the announcement was made is a quilt with patches commemorating the 50 community members who died from diabetes in recent years.

Long Plain Chief David Meeches said everyone in his community is directly or indirectly affected by the disease.

"Every one of us in our community have people on that blanket. My mother's on there," he said.

Elder and former chief Ernie Daniels spoke of his experience battling Type 2 diabetes himself and of the loved ones he's seen suffer from the disease.

"Almost four, five times a year... I see people dying from diabetes. I see people gone blind. I see people lose their legs - my friends and relatives," said Daniels.

Despite the tragedy he's seen, Daniels is optimistic about the programs that can be provided with the federal funding.

"Hopefully they'll prevent our young people from getting this horrible disease."

Before the announcement, Aglukkaq visited a local garden, a new baseball diamond and helped cook a healthy meal with community children, in support of lifestyle choices that prevent diabetes.-CP-