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Community Health Fairs
Children's Health Fair at Pine Tree November 21,
2001
Parents are teachers and their
children are their students. The health fairs have been planned
with this idea in mind. This is a chance to find out about health
services for children in your community. Native organizations in
both Brantford and Hamilton have partnered to be able to bring these
fairs to you. As we believe that learning should be fun, there are
play areas, refreshment tables, give-aways, etc.
Watch me grow-help me learn
This was our first health fair to be held at Pine
Tree Native Centre in November 2001. There was an amazing turn out.
Families enjoyed talking to many different health professionals
about speech development, car seat safety, hearing testing, healthy
teeth and much more. Kids had a wonderful time playing with toys
borrowed from the 'Professional Resource Centre' and making crafts.
Santa visited too! Pictures were taken with kids on his knee and
provided some very nice Christmas presents for grandparents, aunts
and uncles. Healthy snacks were enjoyed by everyone. The comments
were very positive both from families and organizations that participated.
Plans are being made to make this an annual Christmas
event in Brantford.
The Ration Era
&;nbsp;I remember when I was a mere child
of about 8 years old, running from our home in the bush towards
the CNR rail line to fetch a box that was just tossed out from the
moving train. My brothers and I would happily grab the box and return
to the house with great anticipation and excitement. This was our
monthly RATION, our treaty rights from the Department of Indian
Affairs. The treaties promised that the government would ensure
our well-being, health care, education, housing and social issues.
All these amenities replaced our hunting and agricultural lands.
Rations were provided through DIA by contracting a local store to
fulfill the task of selecting the food. I do not really know if
the store received a grocery list or if they were allowed to put
in the box whatever they felt First Nations people might enjoy.
Of course, today and most recently, rations have been in a form
of receiving a cheque to purchase what we need.
When we got the box home and opened it with excitement
and immediately focused on some of the candy that was put in there
for our enjoyment. Besides some macaroni, klick and spam, jam, canned
beans, occasional brown and white salt pork and related dry goods
were; white flour, white salt, white tenderflake lard, white sugar
and white canned carnation milk. We would give thanks and have a
great feast that evening.
I am now in the future of that time with an illness
that most First Nations have. We call it Sugar Diabetes or clinically
speaking, Diabetes. The five white foods, including the slat pork
products I mentioned above were instrumental in creating diabetes
in my generation and my parent's generation. Since the beginning
of their time in North America, government have always tried to
get rid of us; was this one of those times? We thought we were eating
well like all Canadians. Today, let us eat healthy and enjoy the
richness of Mother Earth.
Megwetch,
Walter Cooke
Ojibway/Cree of the BearClan
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FIRST NATIONS FITNESS PROGRAM
The First Nations Fitness Program offers both clients
and community members an opportunity to try a variety of physical
activities for FREE. Our classes are offered at the beginner's level
so you can sample various activities like Tai Chi or Low-Impact
Aerobics. We would like to thank Heart Health Hamilton-Wentworth
for funding this exciting new program. We would also like to thank
all the participants, health centre staff and our community partner,
the Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative, for making
this program a huge success.
SPRING FLING (March 18 - 24, 2002)
Free Family Swim & Family Gym Program at Norman Pinky Lewis
Recreation Centre.Add some bounce to your spring by joining us for
a FREE gym & swim at Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre from
March 18 - 24. you can pick up your free admission pass and spring
program guide at our Hamilton site's front desk.
GET IN SHAPE ON YOUR LUNCH BREAK!
Ready to get fit and try something new on your lunch hour! Then
our 30 minute workout class is right for you! Satisfaction Guaranteed
or Calories Refunded! All fitness abilities are welcome and can
be accommodated.
Every Thursday 12:15 - 12:45 pm for 6 weeks
Class
runs March 28 - May 2, 2002
Drop in or register with Charlene (905)
544-4320
ABORIGINAL ORGANIZATION STAFF CHALLENGE
For the month of February we invited all Aboriginal organizations
in Hamilton to participate in a staff fitness challenge. Participants
were given a calendar to record their daily physical activities
and points were given for ever 20 minutes of exercise. Congratulations
to all the staff De dwa da dehs nye>s, the Hamilton Regional
Indian Centre, Metis Nation, Niwasa Head Start Preschool, Sacajewea,
and the Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative for participating
in our 2001 Aboriginal Organizational Staff Challenge.
LOW IMPACT AEROBICS
Beat the "February Blues" by joining our Beginner's Low
Impact Fitness Class. This low intensity workout focuses on overall
fitness, cardio and muscle toning. Special thanks to Maja Miskiewicz
for getting us movin' and groovin'!
Every Wednesday 7-8 p.m. for 6 weeks.
Classes run from February 6 - March 12, 2002. Drop in or register
with Charlene
INTRODUTION TO TAI CHI
Last October we offered a
six-week Tai Chi Introductory Class. Special thanks go to Master
Rick Sue and Wushu Institute instructors Joe and Jenny Wong for
teaching us the graceful and health promoting martial art of Tai
Chi. Rick Sue is the 2001 Canadian National Wushu Team Coach, the
Vice President of the United Wushu Federation of Canada, a Canadian
Kung Fu Championships Gold Medalist, a Canadian World Martial Arts
Championships Gold Medalist, and Head instructor of the Wushu Institute
)(1960) Main St. W. Hamilton.
Introductory TAI CHI Class (Oct - Nov 2001).
Instructors: (front row R-L) 1 Joe 2 Master Rick Sue 3 Jenny Wong |
