Walking to fight diabetes

By NUNATSIAQ NEWS

This week, a group hiking on showshoes are starting the 165-km journey overland from Radisson to Whapmagoostui and Kuujjuaraapik.

It’s part of the Miyupimaatisiitaau (Let’s live in Wellness) 2002 march that started in Waswanipi in January and will end finish at Chisasibi sometime at the end of March.

According to a press release from the Cree Health Board, the main purpose of this traditional journey on snowshoes is to promote awareness and prevention of diabetes. It’s intended to highlight traditional physical activities and traditional foods as the main ways to prevent diabetes.

The diabetes epidemic in the Cree terriory is escalating at an alarming rate. Some 975 Cree have been diagnosed with diabetes. More than 17 per cent of Cree over the age of 15 have diabetes — a rate that’s three to five times the Canadian rate.

The travellers are due to arrive in Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuaraapik on March 12. Following two days of diabetes awareness activities, they will leave for the last leg of the trip to Chisasibi, a distance of 182 km.

The progress of the journey can be followed at http://miyupimaatisiitaau.com.

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