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November 14, 2006
Assembly of First Nations Calls for Urgent Action to End First Nations Poverty on World Diabetes DayOn World Diabetes Day, November 14th, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Phil Fontaine calls for the elimination of First Nations poverty as the root cause of the growing diabetes epidemic among First Nations. “Diabetes is an epidemic for First Nations people,” said National Chief Phil Fontaine. “Right now, diabetes impacts practically every First Nations family. The Unite for Diabetes Campaign has stated that diabetes is as deadly a disease as HIV/AIDs, and we are concerned that this disease is three-to-five times more common among First Nations than Canadians.” Many First Nations children and youth are at high risk of developing diabetes, with 42% of youth and close to 60% of children either overweight or obese. “The reason diabetes is epidemic amongst First Nations is because of poverty, not because of genetics or other unrelated factors,” said AFN Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse. “Our lifestyle was drastically changed as a result of colonization. When our land was taken we lost access to our traditional foods. The solution is to eliminate First Nations poverty. We must restore our landbase, re-build our economies and ensure our people have access to healthy and nutritious foods.” In October 2006, AFN Manitoba Regional Chief Katherine Whitecloud reported to the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Health on the direct correlation between First Nations childhood obesity and lower family income, overcrowding, poor nutrition, lower levels of physical activity and educational achievement. On November 8, 500 experts gathered for a conference called Building It Together convened by the Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada. The experts unanimously called for action to reduce family and child poverty in Canada, and stated that the situation for First Nations – suffering from the symptoms of poverty like diabetes – was especially urgent. The National Chief stated that action is required immediately because the cost of First Nations poverty is only going to increase. “We will face a growing human and economic burden to the diabetes epidemic, a burden faced not just by First Nations, but by all Canadians,” said National Chief Fontaine, “This is why we have launched our campaign to Make Poverty History: The First Plan for Creating Opportunity. The cost to maintain First Nations poverty is higher than for creating new opportunities for healthier and prosperous communities.”
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations in Canada.
Contacts: Bryan Hendry, AFN A/Director of Communications Pam Hunter |
