The document discusses diabetes prevalence among Indigenous populations in Canada and themes related to misunderstandings of diabetes, the significance of traditional foods, and the impact of colonization on Indigenous foodways. It presents data showing that diabetes rates are highest among First Nations populations living on reserves. Several sources are discussed that focus on how sugar is viewed in Indigenous cultures, the destruction of traditional food sources, and unhealthy attitudes towards food resulting from colonization and the disruption of traditional practices. The importance of understanding foodways, reserves, and colonialism in the Indigenous context is emphasized.

1. Presented by:
Victoria
Christine
Brooke

2.  Diabetes Prevalence in 2011 (graph)
 Themes
 Misunderstanding of diabetes
 Significance of food meanings
 Colonization and the impact on traditional foodways
 Importance
 Foodways
 Reserves
 Colonialism
 Opposing View Points on Themes
 Sugar
 Social determinants
 Nutrition

3. 17.2%
10.3%
7.3%
5.0%
2011
First Nations (on)
First Nations (off)
Metis
Non-Aboriginals
(Public Health Agency of Canada, 2011)

5.  Thompson & Gifford, (2000)
 Short-term worry
 Sugars can be flushed out of the body
 Wilson & Rosenberg, (2002)
 Lack of access to adequate physician care (especially
on reserves)
 Proper knowledge regarding diabetes and its
biological significance within the body and treatment
options
 E.g.. video we watched
 Bodirsky & Johnson, (2008)
 The destruction of traditional food sources has led to
more prevalence of choosing processed foods

6.  Thompson & Gifford, (2000)
 What is sugar to them → sugar can be seen as bitter
and sweet
 Bitter because it is influencing the communities health
 Sweet because these foods that contain the sugars are
being passed down from generation to generation
 Wilson & Rosenberg, (2002)
 Hunting and gathering is a source of great confusion
 Bodirsky & Johnson, (2008)
 The Three Sisters Story

7.  Thompson & Gifford, (2000)
 Sugar as a cause of imbalance within the community
 Introduced by the “white man”, in ways that, in the past, were seen as
intentionally used to upset the balance of these connections
 Wilson & Rosenberg, (2002)
 Indigenous peoples living on reserves who hunt, may
actually have POORER health because this may reflect their
reaction to inadequate food supply
 Colonization has significantly impacted the way in which
Indigenous peoples can practice their traditional foodways
 Bodirsky & Johnson,(2008)
 Indigenous peoples have unhealthy attitudes towards food
(Article quote)
 Traditional foodways and knowledge had stopped during the
time
 (food-related abuse)

9.  Thompson & Gifford, (2000) :
 Emphasizes the importance of foodways when it
comes to maintaining tradition in a healthy manner
 Wilson & Rosenberg, (2002) :
 Reinforces the importance of recognizing how poor
living conditions (reserves) has major impacts on
access to proper nutrition and education
 Bodirsky & Johnson, (2008):
 Shows the impact of colonialism and how it effected
Indigenous populations, especially regarding their
nutrition

11.  “Diabetes only happens to the person, why would
it disrupt the whole community and balance?”
 Indigenous culture believes in balance in all aspects of
life in order to be truly healthy.
 Sugar affects the health of one individual and is thus
impacting the whole community
 “If sugar is both good and bad for the community,
why is the bad always concentrated on?”
 Although sugar is seen to connect a family, it also tears
apart families
 When all members of a community are healthy it will
create a stronger connection

12.  People who argue that reserves are
supportive environments for Indigenous
populations
 Need to take into account the living conditions in
these environments
 Recognize the deterioration of traditional
practices
 Having lack of access to adequate healthcare and
food

13.  “Put yourself in their shoes”
 So much has proven that colonialism has had a
great impact on Indigenous people
 “Think outside the box”
 Learn about their culture
 Educate yourself on the history so problems can
be understood
 “What you don’t know”
 Don’t be ignorant to others beliefs
 Embrace understanding of others culture

16.  Bodirsky, M., & Johnson, J. (2008). Decolonizing diet: Healing by reclaiming traditional
Indigenous Foodways. Cuizine: The Journal of Canadian Food Cultures Cuizine:/Revue
des cultures culinaires au Canada, 1(1).
 Diabetes in Canada: Facts & Figures from Public Health Perspective (2011). Retrieved
February 25, 2016 from, http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/publications/diabetes-
diabete/facts-figures-faits-chiffres-2011/highlights-saillants-eng.php#chp6
 Thompson, S. J., & Gifford, S. M. (2000). Trying to keep a balance: the meaning of
health and diabetes in an urban Aboriginal community. Social science & medicine, 51(10),
1457-1472.
 Wilson, K., & Rosenberg, M. W. (2002). Exploring the determinants of health for First
Nations peoples in Canada: can existing frameworks accommodate traditional activities?.
Social science & medicine, 55(11), 2017-2031.