2018 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS FOOD & DIABETES FITNESS CONFERENCE AS MEDICINE April 16 - 18 CONFERENCE 2018REPORT Delta Halifax 1990 Barrington Street Halifax, Nova Scotia

- page 1 - 2018 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS DIABETES CONFERENCE “FOOD & FITNESS AS MEDICINE”

3 Sponsor Information

6 Partner Information

7 Planning Committee

8 Section One: Background

9 Section Two: Contact Information

9 Section Three: Hotel Room Information

9 Section Four: Function Space Information

Section Five: Conference Program 10 Day One 12 Day Two 15 Day Three

19 Section 6: Conference Challenges

19 Section 7: Video and Photography

20 Section 8: Budget

20 Section 9: Evaluation

25 Appendix A: Conference Delegate Information

29 Appendix B: Evaluation Qualitative Responses

Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

- page 2 - CONFERENCE SPONSORS

The 2018 National Indigenous Diabetes Conference brought together Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI) workers, Indigenous front-line workers, leadership, diabetes prevention workers, diabetes educators, health managers, dietitians, nutritionists, nurses, academics, industry, and government reps from across Canada to learn about and share practices in diabetes prevention and self-management.

The conference would not have been possible without the generous support of several sponsors.

SPIRIT Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

SPIRIT Pharmaceuticals: http://www.tcig.biz/spirit-pharmaceuticals/ For First Nations, the high incidence of diabetes is a heavy burden. In fact, the Public Health Agency of Canada reports that up to 17% of First Nations individuals suffer from this disease compared to 5% in the non-Aboriginal population. The good news is that even though diabetes can be serious, the condition can also be managed. Monitoring and controlling blood sugar levels is a key element of lifelong diabetes management. Today, First Canadian Health offers those living with diabetes a new glucose monitoring tool, the SPIRIT meter and test strips. Anyone can buy the SPIRIT meter and know that 50% of Spirit Pharmaceutical’s profits from test strips will go directly to programs that help educate and control diabetes in our communities - vital projects like school breakfast and sports programs. These initiatives will help First Nations take control of their own wellness, and may help reduce the potential impact of this chronic disease. For more information on SPIRIT meters and test strips contact First Canadian Health at (855) 902-6216.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/8668.html The Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health (IIPH) fosters the advancement of a national health research agenda to improve and promote the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada, through research, knowledge translation and capacity building. The Institute’s pursuit of research excellence is enhanced by respect for community research priorities and Indigenous knowledge, values and cultures.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/13521.html The Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes’s (INMD) mandate supports research to enhance health in relation to diet, digestion, excretion, and metabolism; and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions and problems associated with hormone, digestive system, kidney, and liver function.

Diabetes Canada: https://www.diabetes.ca/ The Canadian Diabetes Association became Diabetes Canada on February 13, 2017 to shed the light on the diabetes epidemic Canada is facing. It’s taking a monumental toll on our health. Diabetes Canada will be the driving force to build awareness of the disease and its implications, which are often misunderstood.

- page 3 - CONFERENCE SPONSORS

The President’s Office and the Faculty of Health at Dalhousie University https://www.dal.ca/faculty/health.html At Dalhousie, students, faculty and staff from around the world are part of nearly two centuries of academic excellence in this great community by the sea. Dalhousie has come a long way since its founding in 1818; with campuses in Halifax and Truro, and programs in Yarmouth and Saint John – our impact is felt across the Maritimes and beyond. A member of the U15, we are proud to host more than 4,000 courses across 180 degree programs in 12 faculties – one of the broadest selections of academic choice in Canada. We have the highest proportion of out-of-province enrolment of any major research university in Canada, along with a growing, vibrant international student population. This diversity enriches our classes, our campus, and our communities.

™The heart and / Icon on its own and the heart and / Icon followed by another icon or words are trademarks of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada used under license. Heart and Stroke: http://www.heartandstroke.ca/ For over 60 years, Heart & Stroke has been dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our work has saved thousands of lives and improved the lives of millions of others.

Diabetes Care Program of Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Health Authority: http://www.nshealth.ca/ Nova Scotia Health Authority provides health services to Nova Scotians and some specialized services to Maritimers and Atlantic Canadians. We operate hospitals, health centres and community-based programs across the province. Our team of health professionals includes employees, doctors, researchers, learners and volunteers that provide the health care or services you may need. Partnerships are important to us. We work in partnership with community groups, schools, governments, foundations and auxiliaries and community health boards. Whether we are hosting wellness programs in the community, conducting innovative research in labs, or helping a patient recover in hospital; we are creating a healthier Nova Scotia.

Cardiometabolic Health, Diabetes and Obesity Research (CMDO) Network: http://www.rrcmdo.ca/en/ We are one of the most recent theme networks funded by the Fonds de recherche Québec - Santé. Our Network brings together more than 156 research teams working across more than 30 institutions in Quebec. The CMDO contributes to projects considered the most relevant not only to the Network’s researchers but also for patients suffering from cardiometabolic illnesses, research institutes and our partners. Another guiding principle of CMDO is the convergence of its objectives and investments across multiple levels permitting the Network to support projects with high potential for scientific impact. Finally, the Network aims to establish international partnerships attracting scientific collaborations, technological transfers, as well as investments from outside of Quebec. We aim to bring together previously unconnected, leading-edge scientific and clinical experts, to provide solid support for existing and future infrastructure, and to develop large, multicentre patient cohorts. Consequently, the CMDO Network meets the criteria of the Ministry of Health and Social Services’ Policy for health and well-being. The CMDO Network’s mission is to conduct research on cardiometabolic health, diabetes and obesity, to widely diffuse its results and to ensure the findings are used to promote the health and quality of life of Quebec citizens. - page 4 - CONFERENCE SPONSORS

CIHR Applied Chair in Resilience and Obesity in Youth: http://www.jonmcgavock.com/ The primary objective of Dr. McGavock’s Applied Public Health Chair is to determine if resilience-centered interventions, delivered in schools, are an effective population health approach to support healthy weights in First Nations children living on reserve. This Chair’s research is intended to inform school-based population health interventions for achieving healthy weights in Indigenous children across Canada.

University of Guelph-Humber: https://www.guelphhumber.ca/ When UofGH opened its doors in 2002, the intention was to produce a well-prepared university graduate. The world was changing. Expectations were changing. Having the theoretical knowledge and analytical skills acquired through a university education and the applied skills acquired through a college education seemed the perfect answer. Our students graduate with skills designed for today’s world. It’s the blend of theoretical and applied learning that sets us apart. That’s why our students graduate with credentials from both the University of Guelph and Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning - two of Canada’s leading postsecondary institutions.

Can-SOLVE CKD Network Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council: https://cansolveckd.ca/ The Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council (IPERC) serves to guide the conduct of the Network’s activities in accounting for the unique aspects of patient-oriented research involving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. Using an ethical framework that encompasses the principles of ownership, control, access and possession (OCAP) and the elements of participatory research, IPERC’s mandate is to ensure that Can-SOLVE CKD appropriately incorporates, addresses and respects the unique needs and perspectives of Indigenous peoples. Members of the council include patients, families, caregivers, elders, educators, and physicians (from the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada), nurses, social workers, and other health professionals, academics, and federal/provincial decision-makers.

Amik: https://www.amik.ca/ Canada’s Original Indigenous Job Board. AMIK has grown to become Canada’s #1 Leader in Indigenous Workforce Engagement & Training services. Through innovative strategies and customized solutions, AMIK continues to develop strong partnerships across the country, building a stronger Indigenous future. AMIK™ is dedicated to enhancing the socio-economic participation of Canada’s Indigenous demographic through respectful collaboration.

WestJet: https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/index WestJet Airlines Ltd. is a Canadian low-cost airline founded in 1996. It began as a low-cost alternative to the country’s competing major airlines. WestJet provides scheduled and charter air service to 107 destinations in Canada, the United States, Europe, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. - page 5 - CONFERENCE PARTNERS

Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Society is a non-profit, board governed organization that currently operates nine core programs. It is one of one hundred and nineteen Friendship Centres across Canada, and opened its doors on September 17th,1973. The society was incorporated on June 2nd, 1975. The mission of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre is to provide structured, social-based programming for urban Aboriginal people while serving as a focal point for the urban Aboriginal community to gather for a variety of community functions and events. http://www.mymnfc.com/

The Atlantic Policy Congress (APC) of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat is an advocate for speaking with one voice on behalf of First Nations communities. Through research and analysis, we develop and table policy alternatives for matters affecting First Nations communities in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Maine, USA. APC Secretariat, was federally incorporated in 1995 and is a policy research and advocacy Secretariat for 30 Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy and Innu Chiefs, Nations and Communities. APC is governed by a board of directors comprised of the Chiefs. With the support of the First Nation communities in Atlantic Canada, APC Secretariat follows a relationship vision that concentrates on partnership and cooperation, government to government relationships, dialogue and education, quality of life, and self-determination in First Nations Communities. In order to accomplish this, APC works closely with community members and leadership to get direction by providing all information in order that communities can make informed decisions. http://www.apcfnc.ca/

The National Aboriginal Diabetes Association’s mission is to lead the promotion of healthy environments to prevent and manage diabetes by working together with people, communities and organizations. NADA hosts biennial national conferences to raise awareness of diabetes among Indigenous Peoples and share successes and has partnered with other organizations in support of specific projects aimed at reducing diabetes-related complications. http://nada.ca/

- page 6 - CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE

CHEYENNE GATES (Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Society)

Cheyenne Labrador-Gates is a Mi’kmaq woman from Acadia First Nation. She is the mother of 2 boys and lives in the beautiful St. Margaret’s Bay area. Cheyenne received her honors diploma in Business Administration from Compu College in 2009 and has been working in the urban Indigenous community ever since. She is currently the Executive Assistant at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre.

JARVIS GOOGOO (Atlantic Policy Congress (APC) of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat)

Jarvis was raised in We’koqma’q, Unama’ki and graduated from a Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey school. He holds degrees from Saint Mary’s University (cum laude), Dalhousie Law School, and is a non- practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society. He has worked as in-house counsel for the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq as well as a senior policy analyst with the Nova Scotia Office of Aboriginal Affairs. He has extensive engagement experience with First Nations communities and organizations, mainly in health and education. He has spoken and presented at many events, including Dalhousie Law School and Dalhousie Medical School, and led the development of the Donald Marshall Junior Memorial Award. He is a part-time Group Fitness class instructor with GoodLife Fitness, instructing LesMills programs. Jarvis travels throughout the world to further his training, education, and instructing, having recently visited Amsterdam to participant in a LesMills event.

KARA PAUL

Kara Paul is from Eskasoni First Nation. Kara completed her undergraduate Biology degree at Acadia University before enrolling in the Aboriginal Health Enrichment Pilot at Dalhousie University. She graduated in 2009 and continued to work at Dalhousie University as the Director of the Aboriginal Health Sciences Initiative Program. She has extensive experience working with Aboriginal youth interested in choosing health sciences careers.

CHEYENNE JOSEPH

Cheyenne Joseph is a member of Bear River First Nation in Nova Scotia. Cheyenne has been a registered nurse for 15 years, working with Atlantic Canada’s Indigenous communities on a variety of levels, from frontline public health to government and not-for-profit, and now academia. She is currently a Senior Instructor at the University of New Brunswick teaching community health nursing in the classroom and in the field.

JEFF LAPLANTE

Jeff LaPlante is Métis from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Jeff has worked in the fields of human rights, First Nations self-government, First Nations community-based research and advocacy, First Nations program development and delivery, and Indigenous health and wellness since graduating from the University of Manitoba in 2001. Jeff has been the Executive Director of the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association since October 2015.

- page 7 - SECTION ONE: BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Event Name: National Indigenous Diabetes Conference Event Organizer/Host: NADA, MNFS, and APCFNCS Event Location City: Halifax Nova Scotia Event Venue: Delta Hotels by Marriott Halifax Event Start Date: April 16, 2018 Event End Date: April 18, 2018

Event Organizer/Host Overview

The organizing committee for the 2018 National Indigenous Diabetes Conference was comprised of the the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association (NADA), the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, and the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APCFNCS). Acknowledgement is also due to Cheyenne Joseph, from Bear River First Nation and Senior Instructor in community health nursing at the University of New Brunswick, and Kara Paul, from Eskasoni First Nation and PhD Candidate at Dalhousie University, who provided countless ideas for speakers and protocols for the conference.

Main Conference Theme

The theme for the National Indigenous Diabetes Conference was “Food and Fitness as Medicine”. The focus was on showcasing food and fitness-related activities in and by Indigenous communities, Peoples and organizations that promote wellness as a means of preventing and/or managing diabetes. Conference presenters shared knowledge and experiences in developing, administering and evaluating community-based food and fitness programming.

Conference Registration

The Conference Registration table was managed by NADA staff and Board of Directors, along with volunteer Amy Silver from Dalhousie University.

Target Attendance: 250 Registered: 259

Conference Promotion

“Save the Date” notices were posted on NADA’s social media pages and shared through email correspondence. A conference poster and registration form was designed by NADA. The conference registration form and agenda was located on the NADA website and linked to NADA’s social media sites.

Save the Date

NADA created the Save-the-Date and shared it with the conference organizing committee members to distribute via their networks and social media sites.

Conference Poster

A conference poster was designed and shared to market the event. Save-the- Dates and the conference poster were created and distributed before final confirmation of speakers, thus additional iterations followed the initial release, each providing more detail as speakers were confirmed.

Dr. Agnes Coutinho and Elder Albert Marshall - page 8 - SECTION TWO: CONTACT INFORMATION Conference Hosts:

Name: Jeff LaPlante Job Title: Executive Director Organization: National Aboriginal Diabetes Association Mailing Address: 103-90 Garry Street Winnipeg MB R3C 4H1 Office: 204-927-1224

Name: Cheyenne Labrador-Gates Job Title: Executive Assistant Organization: Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre Mailing Address: 2158 Gottingen Street Halifax, NS B3K 3B4 Office: 902-420-1576

Name: Jarvis Googoo Job Title: Director of Health Organization: Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat Mailing Address 153 Willowdale Drive Dartmouth, NS B2V 0A5 Office: 902-435-8021

SECTION THREE: HOTEL ROOM INFORMATION

A block of rooms was secured at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Halifax (https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yhzhf- delta-hotels-halifax/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2) for attending delegates needing conference accommodations. A conference rate of $149/night was negotiated for the duration of the conference. As this was a national level event, participants traveled to the conference from across Canada. The event met the contracted reservation minimums and accommodation attrition was not charged.

SECTION FOUR: FUNCTION SPACE INFORMATION

The stage area in the main room was set up with a riser for a clear view of all presenters by participants. A podium was placed on the right side of the stage. Each breakout room was set up either theatre-style or in rounds depending on how the speaker/presenter identified their preference.

Breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon breaks were set up just inside the main ballroom allowing guests to freely serve themselves during the conference. Catering was provided by the Delta Halifax.

Freeman Audio Visual provided audio/visual support, including projectors, laptops and speakers in each room as well as stages in the two main rooms. Due to the many responsibilities of managing conference operations by NADA staff and Board members, there were no staff dedicated to photographing the conference. Instead, following the conference, NADA put out a call on social media for conference participants to submit any pictures they took to NADA for purposes of including the conference report. Many thanks to Dr. Agnes Coutinho, Leanne Gillis, Kim Wheatley, Helen Robinson- Settee, Stephanie Levesque, and Jeff Butler for contributing photos to this report.

Prior to the conference, the Institute of Health Economics (www.ihe.ca) contacted NADA to enquire about filming a video storytelling project at the conference. The project aims to provide opportunities for community members, and Indigenous leaders to identify and discuss community needs, challenges, and opportunities to improve health

- page 9 - outcomes, focusing primarily on diabetes, but also on health in general. The project aims to provide an engaging medium to elevate the voices, stories, and messages from communities and community members to reach decision makers and to promote Indigenous perspectives in the development of health policy and diabetes care programs, as well as approaches to program development that are led by communities, built on respectful partnerships, and prioritize self-identified community needs.

The Institute of Health Economics is a not for profit organization with head offices located in Edmonton, Alberta. The Institute was founded on the belief that the best solutions to healthcare problems are the result of a collaborative approach, with all stakeholders at the table sharing insights and information. The Institute provides policy relevant research and programs to inform coordinated, innovative, and evidence-guided decision making and priority setting.

SECTION FIVE: CONFERENCE PROGRAM

CONFERENCE DAY ONE, MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2018:

Grandmother Dorene Bernard from Sipekne’katik First Nation was scheduled to provide a Welcome to the Territory and an Opening Prayer, but due to inclement weather in Toronto was delayed in her travel back to Nova Scotia. In her place, Elder Imelda Perley from Tobique First Nation provided the Welcome and Opening Prayer.

Eastern Eagle Drum Group, a group of proud Mi’kmaq singers from Canada’s East Coast, helped open the conference with a welcoming song. Following Eastern Eagle, Chief Candice Paul from St. Mary’s First Nation, the First Nations Co-Chair of the Atlantic First Nations Health Partnership, and a representative of conference partners the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat, provided opening remarks.

Next, Elder Imelda Perley started the conference off in a good way by givingMedicine Wheel Teachings, which lead fittingly into the next presentation by Elder Albert Marshall from Eskasoni First Nation, who spoke about Cross-Cultural Understandings of Healing. Imelda Perley is Wolastoqew (Maliseet) from Maliseet Nation at Tobique, St. Mary’s First Nation and Houlton Band of Maliseets (United States). Imelda holds a B.A. and M.Ed. from the University of New Brunswick. She is a fluent speaker of Maliseet, her first language. Imelda teaches Maliseet language and Wabanaki worldview courses at University of New Brunswick and University of Maine. Imelda is Elder-In-Residence for the University of New Brunswick. Her traditional roles within the community include Sweatlodge Keeper, Medicine Wheel Teacher, Sacred Pipe Carrier, and Keeper of the Women’s Ceremonies (e.g. Puberty, Naming and Fasting).

Albert Marshall is a highly respected and much-loved Elder of the Mi’kmaw Nation and is a passionate advocate of cross-cultural understandings and healing and of our human responsibilities to care for all creatures and our Earth Mother. He is the “designated voice” with respect to environmental issues for the Mi’kmaw Elders of Unama’ki and he sits on various committees that develop and guide collaborative initiatives and understandings in natural resource management or that serve First Nations’ governance issues, or that otherwise work towards ethical environmental, social and economic practices. In October 2009, he and his wife Murdena were awarded Honorary Doctorates of Letters by Cape Breton University for their work, which seeks the preservation, understanding, and promotion of cultural beliefs and practices among all Mi’kmaw communities, and encourages a strong future for the Mi’kmaw Nation and its peoples. In addition to Two-Eyed Seeing, Albert is a passionate advocate of Netukulimk, which involves inter-relatedness, co-existence, interconnectedness, and community spirit.

Following lunch, delegates selected workshops to attend, and some delegates were chosen by random selection to attend one of two field Kathleen Laforme from the Indigenous trips. Delegates could choose to participate in the CIHR Strategy for Diabetes Health Circle at the Masters Indigenous Games information booth - page 10 - Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Symposium, co-hosted by the Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD), Dr. Norman Rosenblum. The session was co-hosted with the Can-SOLVE CKD Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) Network - Indigenous Peoples Engagement and Research Council (IPER). This session was also sponsored by the CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples Health (IIPH), and remarks from IIPH Scientific DirectorDr. Carrie Bourassa were read during the lunch break due to her being unable to attend on account of inclement weather. Patient Partners in two CIHR-SPOR Networks, Can-SOLVE CKD Network and Diabetes Action Canada, introduced participants to the SPOR initiative, and guided them through engaging and interactive group discussions on the relationships between patients, researchers, policy makers and health care providers.

Conference delegates also had the opportunity to attend a workshop on the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle (IDHC) Circle of Care Program, hosted by Lindsey Cosh, Circle of Elder Albert Marshall Care Program Coordinator. This workshop showcased the program, a holistic model of care, diabetes and its impacts on the feet, as well as the ways to teach the community on the subject. Information was provided on the holistic elements of the program, and what makes it unique. The provided education included common foot pathologies, key risk factors to the diabetic foot, daily self-inspection and who makes up the foot care support team. This workshop provided self-wellness perspectives in preventing diabetic complication and maintaining healthy foot care. Workshop attendees left with more knowledge on the connection between glycemic control and healthy feet, holistic wellness and the skills and tools to practice daily care.

Two field trips were available to conference delegates through random selection - a Water Ceremony at Point Pleasant Park in Halifax, and a Mi’kmaw Traditional Knowledge Guided Tour. NADA contracted the services of Ambassatours Bus Charters to provide transportation for the field trips. Due to Grandmother Dorene Bernard being delayed in Toronto because of weather-delayed flights,Elder Imelda Perley conducted a Water Ceremony in Grandmother Dorene’s absence.

The Mi’kmaw Traditional Knowledge Guided Tour was hosted by Tuma Young from Malagawatch Nation, and Unama’ki College. Delegates visited three locations, including Peggy’s Cove, to learn about traditional plants and medicines used to treat and manage diabetes. Despite rainy and windy weather, the field trips were well received by participants.Tuma Young is a L’nu (Mi’kmaq), who grew up traditionally on the Malagawatch First Nation and was born into the Atu’tuwej (Squirrel) clan for the Apli’kumj (Rabbit) clan. He is one of 14 children born to William F. Young and Veronica Phillips, both of Waycobah First Nation (later centralized to Eskasoni). He has a Bachelor of Arts in Mi’kmaq Studies from the University College of Cape Breton; a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia; a Master of Laws in Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy from the University of Arizona; and is presently enrolled in the SJD program at the University of Arizona. Tuma is an Assistant Professor in Mi’kmaq Studies at Cape Breton University where he teaches in the areas of Mi’kmaq History & Governance. Tuma is also engaged in community based research on Social Assistance Reform in First Nations Communities, Two Spirited resilience and in L’nu medicines. Tuma leads a research program into examining the use of L’nu medicines in treating skin conditions which include research into the treatment of diabetic foot. In addition, Tuma teaches plant identification through experiential learning process (leading walks in the woods, swamps, bogs and meadows).

Project Playground: A KSDPP School-Based Initiative to Get Kids Moving, was a workshop presented by Cheyanne Teiekahr:ios McComber and Chelsea O:kera McComber. Chelsea O:kera and Cheyanne Teiekahri:ios are Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) Wolf Clan women from Kahnawake Territory near Montreal, Quebec. Chelsea is currently the Recreation Animator for Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project with a special focus on Project Playground, a recess/ lunchtime schoolyard activity, and Cheyanne has been a KSDPP Intervention Facilitator since 2011, working with schools and community bringing healthy eating and physical activities to children and families. This workshop provided an overview of KSDPP’s school-based activities around healthy eating, physical activity and partnership-building. This practice-focused presentation highlighted the overall goals, successes, and challenges of KSDPP’s Project Playground. Project Playground’s goal is to motivate and promote physical activity during recess and lunch breaks through “old-school” and team sport games, such as

- page 11 - Elder Imelda Perley tag-games, soccer-baseball and obstacle courses.

The workshop Active Living with Diabetes: Practical Guidelines to Exercise, was presented by Dr. Agnes Coutinho, Past Chairperson of the NADA Board of Directors. Dr. Coutinho is an Assistant Program Head of Kinesiology at the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto. This session focused on identifying physical activity guidelines specific to individuals with diabetes, distinguishing between prediabetes, type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. In addition, safe modes of physical activity, incorporating both aerobic and strength training, were discussed in the context of diabetes management, healthy weight loss, waist size reduction, as well as overcoming limitations such as painful legs during exercise in people Tuma Young overcoming with diabetes. adverse weather to deliver his Mi’kmaw Traditional Knowledge Guided Tour CONFERENCE DAY TWO, TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2018:

Day two of the conference started with a Keynote from Chief Leroy Denny from Eskasoni First Nation. The day was to begin with Opening Remarks from Pam Glode-Desrochers, Executive Director of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, but confusion about the agenda unfortunately resulted in her remarks being omitted. Following his keynote, Chief Leroy presented on the Mi’kmaw Summer Games, an athletic gathering and competitions that Mi’kmaw communities in Nova Scotia that encourage youth involvement in sports, and ensure that Mi’kmaw traditions are passed on to younger generations.

To help conference delegates further understand the relationship between physical activity and diabetes prevention and management, Thierry Gaudet-Savard, a Kinesiologist at the Institut de Cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval, presented The Impact of Physical Activity on Blood Sugar. Thierry’s presentation explained the efficiency of strategies to obtain a better blood glucose control, such as reducing sedentary time, favouring exercise in post-prandial state, favouring structured exercise recruiting a use of maximum muscle mass, initiating short bursts of high intensity exercise, knowing the interaction between medication and exercise, and choosing exercise in the presence of comorbidities. Thierry holds a Master’s degree specializing in blood glucose variation during exercise and a Certification of Clinical Exercise Physiologist from the American College of Sports Medicine. Over the years, he has developed a recognized expertise in the management of blood glucose levels in exercise for people with diabetes.

Following Thierry, Dr. Krista Varady, Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of Illinois, presented The Efficacy of Intermittent Fasting. Intermittent fasting involves a period of fasting followed by a period of eating freely. There are two major types of intermittent fasting: fasting daily for short periods of time (time restricted feeding) or fasting on certain days of the week (alternate day fasting). Dr. Varady’s presentation discussed the effects of alternate day fasting and time restricted feeding on body weight and metabolic disease risk factors in human subjects. Dr. Varady’s research focuses on the efficacy of intermittent fasting for weight loss, weight maintenance, and cardio-protection in obese adults. There were many great and enjoyable sessions I really Lori and James Kewaquom, from Saugeen First Nation, enjoyed the National Indigenous Diabetes Conference. were scheduled to follow Dr. Varady with a presentation on It was very well organized and the people organizing the Anishinaabe ceremonies of fasting, but due to an emergency conference were so helpful. I thought there was a lot of in their community unfortunately had to cancel their excitement and enthusiasm among the participants and appearance. In their place, Laurie Ann Nicholas, BSc. RD, the speakers. As a Nursing professor and researcher FNHM, a Wolastoqey (Maliseet) woman from the Neqotkuk working with Mi’kmaw women, the conference provided (Tobique) First Nation in New Brunswick, presented A Journey me with current and relevant information about diabetes in Ceremonial Fasting. In this presentation, Laurie Ann that I can take back to the women. I was impressed shared teachings on the sacred ceremony of fasting and with the knowledge of speakers and the array of topics personal experiences, as well as discussed the relationship including research presented. It was wonderful to hear between ceremonies and wellness. Laurie Ann is a Cultural about the new initiatives that are taking place in First Practioner, drummer and a Pipe Carrier, is the Cultural/Health Nations communities across Canada to improve health Advisor for Mawiw Council Inc. and is the co-founder of the and overall well-being of Indigenous peoples. I hope to Aboriginal Nutrition Network within Dietitians of Canada. attend these National Conferences in the future. - Conference Participant Continuing with the fitness theme, Tara Nault, from the

- page 12 - Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (ISPARC) presented the ISPARC Aboriginal Healthy Living Activities (AHLA). Tara spoke about the various programs under the AHLA umbrella, which include Aboriginal Run/ Walk, HealthBeat, Honour Your Health Challenge, and FitNation. These programs are centered around four areas of priority: increased physical activity, healthy eating, respecting tobacco, and healthy pregnancies. Tara highlighted some innovative ways Indigenous communities in British Columbia are addressing chronic disease, diabetes, mental health and addictions through these health promotion programs. Tara is Métis, with lineage from Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and a graduate from the Indigenous Governance Program from the University of Victoria.

During lunch on day two, Pamela Fonseca and Jenilyn Delong from Heart and Stroke presented on Heart Smart Kids (HSK). Heart Smart Kids (HSK) is a unique resource focused on enabling elementary school teachers and community educators to effectively promote and educate students on (w)holistic well-being though activities focused on the basics of healthy living, physical activity and nutrition. This free resource enhances health literacy in the school and home environment. Pamela and Jenilyn reviewed the resource, educator training and example activities allowing each participant to become a HeartSmart educator who can then use the free resources in their community. The presentation ended with discussion and recommendations for integration of HSK into Atlantic First Nations schools and community groups; all while promoting best practice for academic, language and culture. Pam earned her BSc Health Promotion at Dalhousie University, and her MSc in Aging and Health from Queen’s University. Pam is the Heart & Stroke Health Promotion Manager in Nova Scotia. Jenilyn completed her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Foods & Nutrition at the University of Prince Edward Island. She began her career at Heart and Stroke in Prince Edward Island and has been part of the Mission team as the Health Promotion Coordinator for 4 years. Jenilyn has been fortunate to partner with the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI, Abegweit First Nation and Lennox Island First Nation communities on various programs and initiatives such as Women’s Health, Diabetes Breakfast, the community pallet garden project, Epekwitk Gardens & Preserves, community kitchens and a number of wellness fairs.

Tuma Young’s Mi’kmaw Traditional Knowledge Guided Tour field trip took a second group of randomly selected participants on the afternoon of day two.

Another small field trip was offered to randomly selected conference delegates on day two, a tour of the “This Is What I Wish You Knew” exhibit at the Museum of Natural History (https://naturalhistory.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/what-i- wish-you-knew), graciously offered and hosted by Roger J Lewis. The exhibit speaks of the personal experiences and challenges of Urban members of the Indigenous community in Halifax.

To ensure delegates had more than one opportunity to attend a workshop, workshops were scheduled twice within the agenda. Continuing with the theme of fitness, on day two, conference delegates had an opportunity to attend one of two Yoga Sessions hosted by Catherine Knockwood of Sacred Mandala Yoga & Wellness. The yoga session explored how the mind-body connection can help clients with diabetes. Catherine discussed how small changes can be incorporated every day, and how it will have a positive impact on clients’ health, and provided a fun and lively discussion about how yoga postures and breathing exercises can benefit many clients.Catherine is a Mi’kmaq Woman Entrepreneur who has personally practiced yoga for over 20 years and received her Yoga Teacher Certification in May 2016. Being raised and still living in her community of Indian Brook, she understands the pligh of her people live in: trauma of the Residential School, alcohol/drug abuse, limited education, high unemployment, and chronic diseases. Her passion is to outreach to others in her community and to be a role model on how to make a life worth living.

Delegates also had an opportunity to attend a session on the Fusion of Powwow Dance and Exercise, hosted by Julia Diana Blanchard. “Powwow Dance Fit” is a powwow-inspired fitness class. The class incorporated moves from various powwow dance styles and songs. It is suitable for anyone and everyone, as all exercises can be modified to fit all fitness levels. Powwow Dance Fit is great for powwow dancers who want to keep fit for powwow season, or for those just looking for a fun workout. Julia is a Fancy Shawl Dancer from St. George’s, NL. She has been powwow dancing for over 10 years and enjoys giving back to the community by teaching dance to youth and adults alike. Julia has a Bachelor of Education with a specialization in Indigenous Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and is currently finishing a Masters of Counselling Psychology. Chief Leroy Denny speaking about the Mi’kmaw Summer Games - page 13 - Julia has also been instructing a powwow-inspired fitness class which allows participants to learn powwow dance steps while getting some exercise.

The inclusion on day two of food-focused presentations was a good lead- in to the overall theme of “Food as Medicine” on day three. One of these presentations, the Epekwitk Gardens & Preserves provided an overview of Abegweit First Nation’s Epekwitk Gardens & Preserves community project. In 2016, Abegweit First Nation started Epekwitk Gardens & Preserves with the help and guidance of Stephen Cousins (The Shephards Farm), as a way of getting back to their roots and nature. This two-fold venture was started to provide the community with a garden to call its own and to establish a garden for Mary Beaucage from Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council (IPERC) commercial purposes. The established community garden helps to promote ownership, responsibility, and health and wellness in the community, as well as increasing knowledge in the community around farming, agriculture and the food and tourism industry. The Garden team - Brandi Jadis, Dray Labobe, Brezlyn Knockwood, and Stephanie Leslie - presented on the community project. The team has a family-oriented mindset – which allows them to grow together mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. This team is not only learning seed identification, forging, farming and agricultural skills but also soft skills, such as listening, honoring and respecting peers, communication, and what working as a team really means. As a community based project they are “being the change they want to see” and giving back to the community in a large way. A focus of the Epekwitk Gardens Project is to be a model for the younger generation; teaching children in Abegweit what local sustainable healthy eating really means.

Day two also featured a repeat presentation, in the form of a workshop, from Heart Smart Kids (HSK) by Pamela Fonseca & Jenilyn Delong from Heart & Stroke.

The Mi’kmaw Physical Activity Leadership Program (MPAL) was presented by Krista Devoe and Jordan Smith. The program is cost shared between the province and Mi’kmaw communities. Like the Municipal Physical Activity Leadership Program, the goal is to help the physical activity strategy coordinators to engage their communities in the development and implementation of comprehensive physical activity strategies aimed at making physical activity the easy, natural choice for residents, with the end goal of disease reduction and improved physical activity levels, leading to healthier lives. Krista Devoe is a Physical Activity Leadership Coordinator in Membertou First Nation, and a trailblazer in her community and province of Nova Scotia. She developed the first comprehensive physical activity strategy for a Mi’kmaw community in the province, which is aimed at benefiting the health of the community through physical activity. Krista was named the overall Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity, under the Builders category, by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) 2017 and is currently serving on the Executive Committee for the 2018 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, which will be hosted in Membertou. Jordan is a member of Glooscap First Nation and a Graduate of Acadia University’s School of Professional Studies with a Bachelor of Kinesiology. She is a certified personal trainer through the Aboriginal Warrior Program, which offers education and skills development specific to the needs of First Nation clients. She is also a First Aid Instructor and a volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross.

A second session of Project Playground: A KSDPP School-Based Initiative to Get Kids Moving was offered on day two as well.

Related to the CIHR Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Symposium on day one, Mary Beaucage and Helen Robinson-Settee from the Can-SOLVE CKD SPOR Indigenous Peoples Engagement and Research Council (IPER) presented on Indigenous Patient Partners in Kidney Health Research. The Can-SOLVE CKD Network is a patient-oriented kidney research initiative that is working to improve the health of all Canadians and bring Indigenous ways of knowing into health research. As part of the network, Indigenous patients, caregivers, researchers, and community leaders created an Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council Diabetes Integration Project Director Caroline Chartrand

- page 14 - (IPERC). This council sits at the centre of the network and supports collaboration grounded in traditional values and partnerships with Indigenous communities. Through IPERC, the Can-SOLVE CKD Network offers a model for respectful engagement of Indigenous communities in health research. By adopting Indigenous ways of knowing and fostering cultural competency, the network is working to close the gaps in kidney health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Mary Beaucage is an Anishnaabe woman of the Bear Clan, from Nipissing First Nation. Mary lives with Type 2 Diabetes and suffered kidney damage as a result. Mary was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in 2013 and started dialysis immediately. Mary was told her wait for a deceased donor transplant would be up to 8 years based on her blood type, and instead took to social media to search for a living donor. Mary found a match in her cousin and they successfully transplanted in 2015. Helen Robinson-Settee is an Anishinaabe woman Aaron Prosper from Eastern Eagle born and raised in Winnipeg. Helen’s son Kevin has lived with kidney disease since he was Drum Group and Helen Robinson- Settee from Indigenous Peoples’ 10 years old. When his kidneys failed in June 2010, he required a kidney transplant and Engagement and Research Council in the interim, used peritoneal dialysis until his kidney transplant in 2012, with a kidney (IPERC) donated from his older brother Craig.

CONFERENCE DAY THREE, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2018:

Day Three of the conference began with opening remarks from Dr. Agnes Coutinho, Chair of the NADA Board of Directors (2016-2018), and Assistant Program Head in Kinesiology at the University of Guelph-Humber, who spoke about excerise and losing weight to manage chronically elevated blood glucose levels.

Chief Morley Googoo, Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland was scheduled to give a Keynote following Dr. Countinho’s opening remarks, but was not able to make it to the conference.

Next on the agenda was a presentation on the First Nations Regional Health Survey results from 2016 data collection. The First Nations Regional Health Survey (FNRHS or RHS) is the only First Nations-governed, national health survey in Canada. It collects information about on-reserve and northern First Nations communities based on both Western and traditional understandings of health and well-being. The RHS National Team is located at the First Nations Information Governance Centre in Ottawa and coordinates the RHS on a national level. In addition, ten independent, RHS Regional Partners coordinate the RHS in their respective regions. The National Team and Regional Partners collaborate on collective issues as well as share ideas and knowledge. Maria Santos, from the National Team, presented national diabetes-related data while Dr. Amy Bombay, Assistant Professor in School of Nursing and Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University, presented on Nova Scotia regional data, and Gerald Gloade-Raining Bird from the Union of New Brunswick Indians presented on the 2016 New Brunswick regional data. Maria has a Master’s degree in Community Health and Epidemiology and is the First Nations Data Centre Program Manager at FNIGC. Dr. Bombay is a member of Rainy River First Nation and completed her MSc and PhD in Psychology and Neuroscience, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research. Gerald Gloade-Raining Bird is a Mi’kmaq social science researcher from Millbrook First Nation, Nova Scotia, with an M.A. in Sociology from Dalhousie University, and currently works for the Union of New Brunswick Indians as a data analyst for the RHS, FNREEES and FNLEDS projects.

As the conference shifted slightly to a focus on food and nutrition, Tabitha Robin, a PhD Candidate at the University of Manitoba, presented the work that her and the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association are doing to adapt the U.S. First Nations Development Institute’s “First Nations, Inuit and Métis Food Sovereignty Assessment Tool”. Tabitha is a mixed ancestry Cree researcher, educator, and writer from Norway House Cree Nation, and is currently PhD candidate at the University of Manitoba, studying Indigenous Food I enjoyed meeting people Sovereignty in the Faculty of Social Work and the Department of Native Studies. She from other provinces; how spends much of her time on the land, working with her people, and learning traditional we are alike even though Cree food practices. The National Aboriginal Diabetes Association (NADA) is working to we are different First create a FNIM Local Food Sovereignty Assessment Tool. The tool will be designed Nations, our problems are using a strengths-based approach to support and encourage First Nations, Inuit and all the same or similar. Métis communities in developing their own local food initiatives. Modeled after the First - Anonymous Conference Nations Development Institute’s (FNDI) Food Sovereignty Assessment Tool in the US, Participant and through the support of the FNDI, the tool will guide communities as they look to

- page 15 - identify and highlight the strength and assets that exist in their communities along with other areas of need and focus specific to access and availability of local food.

Chad Duplessie and Erica Ward presented on the Natoaganeg Community Food Centre. Chad is from Miramichi, NB, and is the Food Centre Manager with Eel Ground First Nation, as well as a City Councilor for the City of Miramichi, and the Co-Chair of the NB Food Security Action Network. Erica is the Program Coordinator at the Natoaganeg Community Food Centre. Erica was born and raised in Eel Ground First Nation, and her participatory programming combined with her love for her Nation ensures that “the place where there is food” is the place for her community to nourish their bodies and souls while also reclaiming their traditions, culture and language. Eel Ground First Nation in partnership with Canadian Feed the Children have created the Healthy Bodies, Minds, Diabetes Integration Spirits project to increase food security. Project Dietitian, Kayla Farqhuar Due to weather delays and unable to present on day one of the conference, Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill and Amanda Lipinski from the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle (IDHC) presented two workshops on Building Community Capacity in Gestational Diabetes Prevention Programing with Focus on Cultural Practices (Seven Generations Gestational Diabetes Program). Grandmother Renee is from the Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. As an Haudenosaunee Woman, she is responsible to carry on the teachings of “Our” Way of Life. She is to carry on the message of Peace Power and Righteousness (Sacredness). She shares this in the following ways: as an Indigenous Woman, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother; Educator, Historian, Artisan F.N. Doll Maker; Carrying on the Stories of Our Ancestors; Holder of Names (Genealogy Researcher), Storyteller; Traditional/Golden Age Smoke Dancer; Traditional Counsellor/Healer (Addiction Treatment Centre); Traditional knowledge of our plants/foods/medicine; An agriculturist – the continuation of our seeds; Grieving Support and most of all a “Spiritual Being”. Amanda Lipinski is Métis and grew up in Thunder Bay, ON. Amanda joined the IDHC (formerly SOADI) team as a Diabetes Prevention Coordinator for the Toronto region in February 2009 and has since transitioned There were many great and enjoyable sessions into the position of Program Director at the IDHC head office in and outings of this conference. I particularly took Niagara. The Seven Generations Gestational Diabetes Program interest in a lot of the sessions based on physical was created with the primary goals of raising awareness about activity. I really enjoyed the thought and heart put gestational diabetes separate from Type 1 and 2, promoting into organizing the entire conference, despite the healthy lifestyles before, during and after pregnancy and delays in participants/speakers due to weather. to encourage exploration of cultural practices surrounding - Anonymous Conference Participant pregnancy and child birth. By combining a balance medical information with Traditional knowledge, 7 Generations has been able to develop a solid base of cultural programming and increase awareness of gestational diabetes to front line workers in maternal health. 7 Generations is being shared as a unique, community based, best practice, which can be modified to fit any community. This workshop was interactive and discussion-based to encourage an open dialogue about gestational diabetes and healthy pregnancies within Indigenous communities with a focus on cultural teachings in pregnancy and childbirth. Participants gained an increased awareness of how gestational diabetes impacts Indigenous families and how to incorporate cultural material into programming.

Melita Paul gave a workshop on the NunatuKavut Community Council Inc. Communal Freezer Program, a community- based program operating in seven communities that provides food to community members age 60 and over who did not fish or have access to fish, and persons with disabilities. Foods in the freezer program is also used for social and ceremonial purposes such as gatherings and teachings. Melita is a Community Health Worker for NunatuKavut Community Council in Labrador for more than 10 years in the Learning For Life ~ Preventing Diabetes Project, teaching people in her communities about the prevention of type 2 diabetes by promoting a healthy active lifestyle. Melita won the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Canadian Diabetes Association a few years ago, and is a member of the provincial planning committee for the Aboriginal Women’s conferences in NL, the Southern Labrador Family Resource Centres, and the Board of Directors for the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association.

Frances Palliser-Nicholas from the Mi’kmaq Child Development Centre presented two workshops on the Kwijmuk Program, a child nutrition program at the Mi’kmaq Child Development Centre. Frances is an Inuk woman originally from Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, has her Level 1 Certification in Early Childhood Education and holds a Certificate in Community

- page 16 - Development from Henson College, Dalhousie University, and is the Aboriginal Head Start 4+ Program Manager at the Mi’kmaq Child Development Centre. She is the Nova Scotia representative on the National Aboriginal Head Start Council as well as the Vice Chair of the Atelihai Inuit Group which represents the Inuit of the Maritimes. The Mi’kmaw Child Development Centre an extension program of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Society and is a non-profit Native Family Resource Centre that consists of an Aboriginal Head Start Program, a Community Action Program for Children, a Provincial Child development Initiative as well as a provincially funded Daycare Centre.

Janet Mulcahy from the Ugpi’Ganjig Eel River Bar First Nation Diabetes Team held two Tara Nault from the workshops describing what her team has being doing in their community. Janet has been Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation working for Eel River Bar for 23 Years, promoting physical activity, healthy eating and always Council (ISPARC) educating youth with overall healthy lifestyle habits. Janet graduated in 2011 from Yellowquill College as a Community Diabetes Prevention Worker and she is currently employed at the Ugpi’ganjig Health Centre where she dedicates her time to preventing and managing diabetes through various programs and partnerships. The team’s goal is to encourage others to live a well balanced life by supporting them and implementing various programs.

During the lunch hour on day three Seema Nagpal, Epidemiologist & Senior Leader at Diabetes Canada, presented on the development of their 360 Strategy.

The Diabetes Integration Project (DIP) offers a unique and integrated approach to addressing the secondary complications found among First Nation people living with type 2 Diabetes in twenty of sixty-four First Nation communities in Manitoba. Caroline Chartrand, Director of the Diabetes Integration Project, and Kayla Farqhuar, Registered Dietitian for the Project, presented two workshops titled Diabetes Integration Project: Model for Comprehensive On-Reserve Diabetes Care. The Diabetes Integration Project employs both western and First Nation’s approaches based on medical and nursing sciences supported and informed by First Nation values and sciences. This presentation described the DIP Model of Care including DIP’s mandate, team structure, assessment process, anti-racist/anti-oppressive approach, and referral/follow up processes. Caroline originates from Pine Creek Ojibway Nation and currently serves as the President of Aboriginal Nurses Manitoba and as the Leadership Director on the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association. Kayla is a member of Rolling River First Nation is currently working towards obtaining her Certified Diabetes Educator designation to advance her knowledge and skills in this area.

Dr. Agnes Coutinho presented a workshop on Active Living with Diabetes: Practical Guidelines to Exercise.

Mary Beaucage and Helen Robinson-Settee from the Can-SOLVE CKD Network Indigenous Peoples Engagement and Research Council (IPER) presented a second workshop on Indigenous Patient Partners in Kidney Health Research.

Sophie Pamak and Melita Paul provided an extended workshop on Nunatukavut Cultural Sensitivity Training, which was developed by the Nunatsiavut Government. Indigenous Cultural Safety Training is an interactive and facilitated training program for professionals working in the health system. It addresses the need for increased Indigenous cultural safety within the system by bringing to light service provider biases and the legacies of colonization that continue to affect service accessibility and health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples. Sophie is an Inuit Nurse originally from Nain, Nunatsiavut, and currently working in Hopedale as a home care nurse within Nunatsiavut since MC Dion Denny introducing the RHS Panel, L-R, Maria Santos (FNIGC), Gerald Gloade early 2005. In 2012 Sophie was the selected (UNBI) and Dr. Amy Bombay (Dalhousie University) recipient for Health Canada’s First Nation

- page 17 - & Inuit Health Branch Nursing Excellence Award for a nurse working in an Inuit community. Some of Sophie’s passions are food security, diabetes and cancer care - trying to help improve these for her people, and participating in various committees/projects relating to these topics.

Jesse Benjamin offered aFitness Session for conference participants on the afternoon of day three. Jesse showed participants versatile strength and cardio exercises that can be done with minimal equipment (mostly just body weight) that can be done at home, the gym, or just about anywhere. Jesse is Mi’kmaq, a Certified Personal Trainer, and a small animal Veterinarian. She graduated from St. Mary’s University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science, and graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2007 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She obtained her personal trainer certification in October 2017 and now works part time out of her home doing personal training, online training, and group fitness Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill presenting classes. Melgignat Fit is her fitness page on Instagram and Facebook where she the Seven Generations Gestational Diabetes shares daily workouts and healthy meal ideas. Program Lucie Lévesque, Brittany McBeath and Colin Baillie presented two workshops on the Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project (KSDPP) Community Mobilization Training (CMT). The Community Mobilization Training for Diabetes Prevention was developed in 2001 and aims to engage community stakeholders to develop and implement diabetes prevention strategies in their community. The CMT is founded on the community-driven, culturally relevant, recognized best practice of KSDPP, which integrates Indigenous ways of knowing and local culture with evidenced-based practice in diabetes prevention. This presentation reviewed how KSDPP are currently investigating the delivery and uptake of the CMT to understand the factors, conditions, and types of social system that best support the successful mobilization of a community interested in diabetes prevention. Lucie Lévesque (PhD) is a researcher and professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario. Brittany McBeath is a Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk) Masters student in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s University. Colin Baillie is a settler PhD candidate in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s University, which sits on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Nations.

Also in the afternoon of day three, there was an Elders’ Circle on Diabetes. Originally, NADA Elders Caroline Daigenault and Robert (Bob) Fenton were to host this session designed to have participants share their personal stories of how diabetes has affected their lives. AsBob Fenton was unable to get to Halifax due to inclement weather, Caroline co- hosted the Circle with newly elected NADA Board Member, Lyle Daniels. Caroline and Lyle spoke about their paths to recovery and dealing with diabetes. Caroline Ann Daigneault was born and raised on the Fishing Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan. Caroline is a retired social worker and provides traditional parenting training and Medicine Wheel training based on personal growth and development, and is a grandmother blessed with eight grand children and three great grandchildren which makes her happy. Lyle W Daniels is from the George Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan, and a second generation residential school survivor that saw him struggle with addiction throughout his life. Lyle was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2008. Through a lifestyle change, Lyle has committed to fighting diabetes and has lost over 50 lbs with a plan to eat healthy, eat less and be active. This change allowed him to be taken off insulin and now only requires medication. A trained facilitator, Lyle enjoys providing Indigenous Awareness training and speaking to young people on careers, personal development and balance. He enjoys sharing stories of his life and learnings he has gained to help other people.

Closing remarks were delivered by the Master of Ceremonies, along with One of the best sessions that I have been to so far on diabetes was Active the Executive Director of the National Living with Diabetes: Practical Guidelines to Exercise with Dr. Agnes Aboriginal Diabetes Association whom Countinho. Very informative and fit perfectly for the needs I wanted in a acknowledged and gifted the members session at a diabetes conference. The stats were essential to helping me in of the Conference Organizing Committee my own journey and the need to try incorporate movement of many areas and the conference volunteers. of the body. This should be a repeat session or one that is made available at every conference. Eastern Eagle Drum Group, closed the - Lyle Daniels, Kawacatoose First Nation, NADA Board of Directors

- page 18 - conference with an honour song composed by Greg Marr of Sipe’kne’katik, Nova Scotia.

Most speakers shared their presentations with NADA staff to be featured on the conference website for conference delegates to access. These can be found at http://nada.ca/?page_id=2063.

SECTION SIX: CONFERENCE CHALLENGES

Overall, the conference was a success. An ice storm hit the southern Ontario region (https://www.thestar.com/news/ starweather/2018/04/15/second-wave-of-ice-storm-pummels-gta.html) on April 13, 2018, and continued through April 15, causing numerous flight cancellations and several conference delegates. NADA Board and staff members were delayed from arriving at the conference on day one, April 16, 2018. Of these, NADA Executive Director Jeff LaPlante and Administrative Coordinator Sylvia Sentner were both delayed and did not arrive in Halifax until late on April 16. Despite this, NADA Board Directors Dr. Agnes Coutinho, Melita Paul and Troy Paul, along with contracted Master of Ceremonies Dion Denny, were able to start the conference and manage registration.

Due to circumstances beyond their control, two invited speakers were unable to attend the conference because of responsibilities to their community. Similarly, the inclement weather caused travel difficulties for a keynote speaker who ultimately was not able to make it to Halifax. NADA staff were able to print corrections to the agenda prior to the start of the conference, however due to travel delays were not able to communicate these changes to delegates until day two of the conference.

A minimal conference fee of $250.00 was charged for conference attendance. NADA collected conference registration fees through online registration linked with Paypal and by mail-in submission with payment by cheque. Registration was closed to the public on March 29 in order to have all registration matters settled before day one of the conference. The revenue from conference registration fees was used to provide meeting space and catering.

As registration numbers were initially low, food and beverage numbers were altered to accommodate the final registration count. The timing of the conference, in mid-April, and the registration process, proved to be difficult for some delegates who work for organizations where fiscal year begins April 1 and they required travel authority from their employers.

Some conference delegates were disappointed with the random selection process for the field trips, as they were among those who were not selected to attend. Based on experiences at other conferences, NADA Board of Directors determined that the fairest way to pick delegates to attend the field trips would be to randomly select participants using their registration information and notify them of their selection. A random number generator was used to select participants, based on a numbered spreadsheet. If the randomly chosen delegates were not able to attend the field trip they were selected for, another delegate was randomly chosen.

SECTION SEVEN: VIDEO AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Through a disclaimer on the conference program, all speakers, presenters and participants were advised that the conference would be videotaped and photographed, and to advise NADA staff if they did not wish to be represented in video or photographs. Portions of the conference were filmed and photographed by representatives of the Institute of Health Economics, whom contacted NADA in the months prior to the conference to offer these services. Some conference delegates and NADA Board Directors were interviewed for the video portion.

- page 19 - SECTION EIGHT: BUDGET

The budget summary shows the costs, expenditures and sponsorship associated with the conference. All revenue and invoices for delegate conference fees were managed by the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association.

Costs Income Expenditures Elder and Speaker travel and accommodations $22,300.00 NADA Board and staff travel and accommodations $18,200.00 Meeting space and catering $71,300.00 Conference supplies $7,500.00 Audio/visual equipment and support $14,300.00

Registration Total registration $40,100.00

Sponsorship Total sponsorship $35,500.00

SECTION NINE: CONFERENCE EVALUATION

Conference evaluation was conducted by Horizons Community Development Associates Inc. via web survey. Delegates received an email from the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association following the conference inviting them to participate in the survey, in either English or French. A reminder email was sent to delegates, and the deadline for feedback was extended from April 27 to May 3.

The 2018 conference had 259 delegates. Of these delegates, 53 provided feedback on the conference through the evaluation survey.

The 9th National Indigenous Diabetes Conference, Food & Fitness as Medicine, was held in K’jipuktuk - Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 16 – 18, 2018. The conference was intended to bring together Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative Workers, Indigenous front-line workers, leadership, Community Diabetes Prevention Workers, diabetes educators, health managers, dietitians, nutritionists, nurses, academics, industry, and government representatives to learn about and share practices in diabetes prevention and self-management among Indigenous Peoples in Canada. It was designed to increase delegates’ knowledge, skill and awareness on healthy lifestyles as diabetes prevention and self-management, by incorporating traditional teachings and practices for wholistic wellness. The conference consisted of workshops, plenary sessions, and keynotes.

The conference also included a trade show for crafters, organizations and businesses to share their services and products.

- page 20 - Conference Participants

Tables 1 and 2 provide an overview of participants by province and by organization.

Table 1: Conference Participants by Province/State Table 2: Conference Participants by Category Province/ State # of Participants Category # of Participants Alberta 9 Community Health Centre 84 British Columbia 7 Health and Wellness Organization 52 Manitoba 65 First Nation Representative 27 New Brunswick 24 Tribal Council 18 Newfoundland and Labrador 10 Vendor 16 Nova Scotia 63 University 14 Ontario 51 Government 11 Prince Edward Island 7 Research 10 Quebec 10 Elder 8 Saskatchewan 10 Sport and Wellness 5 Illinois 1 Unknown 2 Unknown 13 Total 259 Union 1 Total 259

Conference Evaluation Participants

53 delegates provided feedback on the conference through the evaluation survey. Evaluation respondents represented the regions of Canada as outlined in Table 3, while Table 4 provides an overview of evaluation participants’ current roles/titles.

Of the conference delegates who participated in the evaluation, the majority were not members of NADA (22/53, 42.1%), while a quarter were members (13/53 (25.5%)). About a third of delegates who participated in the evaluation (16/53, 31.4%) chose not to respond to this question.

This report provides an overview of responses that represent 15.0% or more of evaluation participants, unless otherwise indicated. The report is also interspersed with quotes drawn from the evaluation and/or follow-up with delegates. All

Dr. Agnes Coutinho, Past-Chairperson of the NADA Board of Directors, attended the Building Community Capacity in Gestational Diabetes Prevention Programing and offered the following commentary:

I had the wonderful opportunity to sit-in on a presentation by Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill and Amanda Lipinski from the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle. Grandmother Renee and Amanda’s presentation was an inspiring duet of information, combining modern western medicine with Traditional knowledge. Listening to the two speakers passionately describing the promotion of healthy lifestyles for mothers and babies, as well as their encouragement to explore cultural practices surrounding pregnancy and child birth, I felt this was a true example of the guiding principle of two-eyed seeing (and how wonderful to have Elder Albert Marshall in the audience!). The presentation did exactly what it promised – delivered sound information about gestational diabetes, while introducing best practice in the form of their “7 Generations” community-based model, which can be adapted and introduced in any community. The model provides instructions and tools, all nicely and conveniently packaged together to bring health and wellness to the babies, mothers, fathers and family before, during, after and beyond the womb. Grandmother Renee’s message about singing, dancing and having fun – at any age, especially as adults so that we do not forget to take part in these healthy activities, was inspiriting. She encouraged everyone to incorporate fun into every day, something that come naturally to our children.

- page 21 - responses can be found in Appendix B.

Table 3: Evaluation Participants by Province/State Table 4: Evaluation Participants by Role/Title Province you currently reside/work in Current Role/Title Alberta 2 Program 10 British Columbia 1 Community Health 8 Manitoba 11 ADI Worker 7 New Brunswick 3 Nurse 6 Nova Scotia 15 Other 4 Ontario 11 Academic / Researcher 3 Prince Edward Island 2 Dietitian 3 Quebec 2 Health Director 1 Saskatchewan 2 No answer 11 No answer 4

Conference Evaluation Results

Evaluation participants were asked to rate their agreement with a series of statements related to the various aspects of the conference. As outlined in Table 5 below, all aspects of the conference were rated highly by almost all evaluation participants. Conference Component Enjoyed Most

Conference delegates were asked what component of the conference they enjoyed the most. Evaluation participants identified a range of components, discussing the opportunity the conference itself brought, as well as specific speakers and presentations. The components included:

• Learning about programs, resources, and community initiatives (7/40, 17.5%) • Opportunities for networking and meeting new people (7/40, 17.5%) • The Medicine Walk (6/40, 15.0%) • Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill and the Gestational Diabetes Presentation (6/40, 15.0%)

Conference Component Enjoyed Least

Conference delegates were also asked about what they enjoyed least about the conference. Of those that responded, some (14/37, 37.8%) did not identify any element of the conference they did not enjoy, indicating in some cases, they enjoyed it all. Areas that were identified included:

• Issues related to the weather and travel delays (6/37, 16.2%) • Being unable to go on, or not selected for, the tours (13.5%) Conference Changes

When asked what they would change about the conference, some participants (11/37, 29.7%) would not change anything about the conference. A few evaluation participants did identify the following:

• Changes to the menu, requesting a variety and also more healthy choices (5/37, 13.5%) • More time built into sessions for questions and discussions (5/37, 13.5%) • The weather on route to Halifax (5/37, 13.5%)

- page 22 - Table 5: Participant Responses

Please rate your agreement with the following statements

Strongly Strongly Not No n=53 Disagree Agree Disagree Agree Applicable Answer

The agenda topics were informative 1 1 18 28 1 4 and educational 1.89% 1.89% 33.96% 52.83% 1.89% 7.55%

1 2 28 17 0 3 The agenda was clear and concise 1.89% 3.77% 52.83% 32.08% 0.00% 5.66%

The forum was motivating as well as 1 1 16 29 2 3 educational and informative 1.89% 1.89% 30.19% 54.72% 3.77% 5.66%

The land based programming was 1 1 10 23 0 8 engaging and provided me with useful 1.89% 1.89% 18.87% 43.40% 0.00% 15.09% knowledge

The format of the forum encouraged 1 3 21 25 0 3 networking and collaboration 1.89% 5.66% 39.62% 47.17% 0.00% 5.66%

The presenters were well prepared and 1 0 20 29 1 2 knowledgeable in the topic area 1.89% 0.00% 37.74% 54.72% 1.89% 3.77%

The presenters were engaging in their 1 2 21 26 1 2 presentations 1.89% 3.77% 39.62% 49.06% 1.89% 3.77%

1 3 21 23 2 3 Registration was a pleasant experience 1.89% 5.66% 39.62% 43.40% 3.77% 5.66%

Conference staff were courteous and 1 0 18 30 0 0 helpful in meeting my needs and/or 1.89% 0.00% 33.96% 56/6% 0.00% 0.00% questions

1 8 17 23 0 0 Meals were appetizing and nutritional 1.89% 15.1% 32.08% 43.40% 0.00% 0.00%

Future Presenters

Conference delegates were asked to recommend presenters that they would like to see at future conferences. Of the delegates that responded, a quarter of them identified Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill (6/23, 26.1%), the same number suggested Elders, including Albert Marshall and Imelda Perley.

Some participants suggested topic areas for future conferences, rather than speakers, including:

• Motivational interviewing and behavior change • Emotional well being • Heart disease and diabetes • Traditional healers • Community based programming around physical activity • Childhood obesity • Tobacco presentations

- page 23 - Three Things Remembered

Conference evaluation participants were asked to identify the three things they remember about the presentations. One third of respondents to this question (12/36, 33.3%) spoke about the traditional knowledge they had gained, in particular the Medicine Walk. A number of participants (11/36, 30.6%) reported that the presentations related to physical activity stood out for them. Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill’s session on Gestational Diabetes was also an important session for some (8/36, 22.2%), as was the incorporation of culture (7/36, 19.4%). The opportunity to come together and to share was also identified by some participants (6.36m 16, 7%).

The most significant thing that evaluation participants remembered was the honouring of culture and traditional knowledge, including the medicine walk (6/32, 18.8%). Presenters

Conference delegates were asked whether there was a presenter they enjoyed most. Of the thirty evaluation participants who responded to this question, almost a quarter (7/30, 23.3%) identified Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill.

Incorporating Learnings

When asked how they will incorporate conference information into their work and/or personal life, conference evaluation participants identified the following:

• They will share the information within their network (family/friends, communities, and organizations (10/34, 29.4%) • They have a greater awareness of the importance of culture and including culture in the work (5/34, 14.7%) Additional Feedback

When asked whether they had any additional feedback, the majority of evaluation participants (19/29, 65.5%) responding to the question identified that this was an excellent conference and was well organized.

I really enjoyed the NADA National Indigenous Diabetes Conference held in Halifax this year. It was very interesting to learn about the Miqmak people, their ways of life and some of the challenges and success they have had. I especially enjoyed the presentations on physical activity and fasting as I will be able to bring this information back to my clients and implement it into my practice. I would have really loved to go on more tours such as the traditional medicines tour but I did enjoy the one I was picked for – the museum. I also met some great people that I was able to share ideas with. I can’t wait for the next NADA conference! - Conference Participant

- page 24 - APPENDIX A: CONFERENCE DELEGATES BY COMMUNITY OR ORGANIZATION

Table 6: Conference Delegates by Community or Organization

Category: Community Health Centre # of Participants Big River First Nation Health Centre 2 Biigtigong Mno-zhi-yaawgamig 1 Canupawakpa Health Services 1 Chippewas of Nawash Health Centre 2 Conne River Health and Social Services 2 Constance Lake Health 1 Dakota Ojibway Health Services 1 Eel Ground First Nation 2 Eel River Bar Health Department 2 Esgenoôpetitj Health Centre 3 Eskasoni Health Centre 15 Fisher River Health Centre 1 John Wavey Health Centre 1 Kateri Memorial Hospital Center 2 Kinonjeoshtegon Health Services 1 Kitigan Zibi Health and Social Services 1 Lake St. Martin Health Services 1 Little Saskatchewan Health Centre 4 Membertou Wellness Home 2 Millbrook Health Centre 2 Morning Sky Health & Wellness Society Frog Lake 4 Neqotkuk Health Center 2 Peetabeck Health Services 2 Peguis Health Services 1 Pictou Landing Health Center 1 Pinaymootang Health Centre 2 Primary Care West Network PEI 1 Primary Care, Eskasoni Health Centre 1 Red Bank Health Centre 3 Sagkeeng Health Centre 5 Samson Community Wellness 2 Sandy Lake First Nation Health Authority 2 Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre 1 Tataskweyak Cree Nation Home and Community Care Program 1 Tla’amin Health 1 Ugpi’ganjig Health Centre 1 Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health 1 Wabaseemoong Health 1 Walpole Island Health Centre 3 Waywayseecappo Health Centre 1 West Region Treaty 2 & 4 Health Services 1 Total 84

- page 25 - Table 7: Conference Delegates by Community or Organization

Category: Elders # of Participants Eskasoni First Nation 1 Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle 1 Lake St. Martin First Nation 1 Maliseet Nation 2 National Aboriginal Diabetes Association 2 Sipekne’katik Band 2 Total 8

Table 8: Conference Delegates by Community or Organization

Category: First Nation Representatives # of Participants Abegweit Mi’Kmaq First Nation 1 Acadia First Nation 2 Burnt Church First Nation 1 Eskasoni First Nation 2 Glooscap First Nation 1 James Smith Cree Nation 1 Kingsclear First Nation 1 Lake Manitoba First Nation 2 Lake St. Martin First Nation 1 Lennox Island First Nation 1 Membertou First Nation 1 Naicatchewenin First Nation 1 Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation 2 Potlotek First Nation 1 Rolling River Manitoba 1 Samson Cree Nation 1 St. Mary’s First Nation 1 Tataskweyak Cree Nation 2 Tk’emlups Te Secwepemc 2 Waycobah First Nation 1 Westbank First Nation 1 Total 27

Table 9: Conference Delegates by Community or Organization

Category: Government # of Participants Health PEI 1 Indigenous Services Canada 4 Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) 1 Nunatsiavut Government Health & Social Development 3 Nunatukavut - Labrador West Indigenous Service Centre 1 Public Health Agency of Canada 1 Total 11

- page 26 - Table 10: Conference Delegates by Community or Organization

Category: Health and Wellness Organizations # of Participants Atlantic Canada’s First Nation Help Desk 1 Canadian Association of Foot Care Nurses 1 Can-SOLVE CKD Network 2 Diabetes Canada 6 Diabetes Care Program of Nova Scotia 1 Diabetes Integration Project 2 Heart and Stroke 3 Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle 10 Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project 3 Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre 2 Mi’kmaq Child Development Centre 1 Nanaandawewigamig - First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of 6 Manitoba National Aboriginal Diabetes Association 10 Natoaganeg Community Food Centre 1 Nord-Aski Diabetes Education Centre 2 Notre-Dame Hospital 1 Total 52

Table 11: Conference Delegates by Community or Organization

Category: Research # of Participants CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health 1 CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes 2 Diabetes Action Canada - SPOR 3 Dignitas International 1 First Nations Data Centre Program Manager 1 Institute of Health Economics 1 Union of NB First Nations Regional Early Childhood, Education and 1 Employment Survey and FNLEDS Projects Total 10

Table 12: Conference Delegates by Community or Organization

Category: Sport and Wellness # of Participants Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO) 2 Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council 1 Melgignat Fit 1 Mi’kmaw Physical Activity Leadership 1 Total 5

- page 27 - Table 13: Conference Delegates by Community or Organization

Category: Tribal Councils # of Participants Assembly of First Nations 2 Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat 1 First Nations Health & Social Secretariat of MB 1 Interlake Reserves Tribal Council 2 Keewatin Tribal Council 7 Kenora Chiefs Advisory - Ogimaawabiitong 1 Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI 2 Saskatoon Tribal Council - Mistawasis First Nation 1 Union of Nova Scotia Indians 1 Subtotal 18

Table 14: Conference Delegates by Community or Organization

Category: Universities # of Participants Cape Breton University 2 Dalhousie University 3 Institut de Cardiologie et de pneumologie de Quebec 1 Queen’s University 3 St. Francis Xavier University 1 University of Illinois 1 University of Manitoba 1 University of Saskatchewan 1 Total 13

Table 15: Conference Delegates by Community or Organization

Category: Vendors/Resources # of Participants Eagle Spirit Arts & Crafts 1 Fancy Shawl Dancer 1 Little Bear Trading 2 Novo Nordisk 1 Oakleaves, Native Creations 1 Sacred Mandala Yoga & Wellness 1 Shenandoah Bead 1 Silversmith Craft 1 Spirit Pharmaceuticals 5 Teekcas Boutique 1 Urban Poling Inc. 1 Subtotal 16

- page 28 - APPENDIX B: EVALUATION QUALITATIVE RESPONSES

The component of this conference I enjoyed the most was: (N=40)

Enjoyed Learning About New Resources/Information • Learning about new resources. • Lots of good info. • Heart Smart Kids, great lesson plans for grades K-6 • The only workshop I attended because of air travel delays was the foot care clinic, I found this very informative and the presenter was well informed and interactive with the delegates. She answered all the questions asked of her. • The Chief from the east coast presenting changes he has made in his community • Foot care , IDHC, Kidney Health research • The fasting presentations - I have not learned much about spiritual fasting before.

Enjoyed the Networking Opportunities/Meeting New People • The networking and the general friendliness of the staff and attendees • Networking • Meeting new people. • Experiencing Nova Scotia and meeting new people • Meeting other individuals from all over Canada • Networking and being with like-minded people working toward the same goal. Also nice to have conference on East coast • Meeting community members and people who have worked in Diabetes

Enjoyed the Medicine Walk (Mi’kmaw Traditional Knowledge Session) • Medicine walk ...even in a downpour • Traditional knowledge walk at Peggy’s Cove with the expertise / entertainment of our 2 guides. • The field trip to Peggy’s Cove, • Trip to Peggy’s cove - medicine walk • Medicine walk • Tour of healing plants in the area

Enjoyed Grandmother Renee and Gestational Diabetes Presentation • Grandmother Renee • Gestational diabetes with grandmother Renee • Gestational Diabetes • All the traditional experiences I got to be a part of were the ones I enjoyed the most, especially the gestational diabetic one with Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill. Loved her! • GDM presentation • Building Community Capacity in Gestational Diabetes Prevention Programming with Focus on Cultural Practices

Enjoyed the Water Ceremony • The Water Ceremony and the interaction with aboriginals from different communities. • The water ceremony and the HSK training workshop. • All aspects were great. The water ceremony was inspiring and memorable • The water ceremony & medicine walk • The water ceremony

Enjoyed the Tours/Concurrent Activities • The tours (land-based) • Community Freezer, Outdoor Activities, Medicine Wheel Teaching • Concurrent activities in the afternoon provided a variety of topics • I love the outdoor events

- page 29 - Enjoyed the Conference Overall • I can’t pick a component I enjoyed the most. There were many great and enjoyable sessions and outings of this conference. I particularly took interest in a lot of the sessions based on physical activity. I really enjoyed the thought and heart put into organizing the entire conference, despite the delays in participants/speakers due to weather. • Everything was good • Learning and sharing with community programs/presenters

Enjoyed the Education about Physical Activity Benefits • Education about physical activity and benefits to people living with diabetes • The fitness class. • I learned a few things listening to the presentations involving diabetes and exercise. This will help me when I am teaching my clients

Enjoyed the Sharing Circle • I enjoyed the sharing circle the most. • The sharing circles on day 1, led by Alex McComber & Mary Beaucage

Enjoyed the Presentations by Elders • Elders knowledge and wisdom sharing about the culture and land • Presentations from the Elders

Enjoyed the Accessibility of Conference Accommodations • Conference & accommodations were in the same building; very accessible

Enjoyed Visiting Halifax • Going to Halifax . .my brief visit

Other • I wish I would have been there in time for the physical activity demonstrations

The component of this conference I least enjoyed was: (N=37)

Issues with the Weather • The weather causing delays! (enjoyed all components of the conference). • The weather that cancelled our flight, and missing the last day due to travel. • Weather delays which effected the first day • The weather delay • Cold weather for outdoor activities • The cold weather

Not Able to Go On Tours/Not Selected • Missing out on tours as I wasn’t selected • That I was not chosen to go on the medicine walk • There were a lot of great sessions happening during the concurrent times! Wish I could have participated in them all • Missed the bus to the water ceremony - but it was my fault • Not being able to go on the tours because I was presenting at the same time

Presentations During Meals Was Not Ideal • Presentations during meals - not ideal for the presenters • The through lunch presenters were not a great idea. Barely anyone listened as people needed to chat and network

Timing/Location of the Breakout Sessions Not Done Well

- page 30 - • Breakout sessions were not timed well. Missed out on parts of breakout sessions because one did not end on time and there was no transition time for participants to get to the next • Vendors and breakout rooms too far away from main conference room

Presentation/Session Not What I Expected • The Community Mobilization Training for Diabetes Prevention: Readiness and Engagement wasn’t quite what I had expected. It was more research based whereas I had thought based on the session title, it would’ve been focused more on strategies for engagement through incorporation of stages of change or some similar approach

Was Not Impressed With Presenter • The Masters NAIG presentation. I felt the promoter was rude

Information Not Provided in Timely Way • MC was not very organized and did not provide participants with enough information about when to come back to the conference room for gathering, etc.

Not Enough Time for Questions • The conference was great but the topics were jam packed which left little time for questions

Issues with Registration • Registration on line did not show pre-register items and onsite registration was a bit helter skelter

Need for Transportation • I was scheduled to see the museum and had to walk there in the awful weather and with my bad knee. I would have appreciated it if there was a bus for us to use as well

Food Issues • Sandwiches for lunch daily

Use of Language • The young man from New Brunswick who continuously used the term “diabetic”

Issues with Signage for Conference • •First day of the conference there was no signs at the lobby to direct to 8th floor till I think later in the day

Issues with Accommodations • The hotel putting my medication in a wrong vehicle & a package

Other • I didn’t enjoy the stats too much but still educational! • Histoire personnel

No Complaints/Enjoyed It All/No Comment • Enjoyed it all • I enjoyed all events • I enjoyed it all • I’m not sure • Nil • Enjoyed the food • N/A I liked it all. No complaints. • no comment • none • n/a • Nil • NA

- page 31 - • N/A • n/a

If I could have changed anything it would have been: (N=37)

A Change to the Menu • Meals....although I’m grateful to have provided meals during our conference. Sometimes soup, salad and sandwiches is repeated too many times. Maybe Indigenous based meals if that is possible for the next conference. • The food! • More healthy meal choices • Food choices more directed to the needs of Diabetics • Perhaps the menus. Hotel food can be difficult though I get that

More Time for Questions/Open Discussion/Presentations • More time to ask questions • Have more open discussion forums • Add 5-10 minutes for questions/comments after each session. This was done at times but not for every session. • Longer time for some of the presentations, half an hour isn’t long enough. • Community freezer speech would have been longer in length to allow for questions

Better Weather • The weather in Toronto • The weather en route to Halifax • The weather in Toronto • The weather in Toronto seemed to create little disruption on agenda on the first day of the conference but that was fine • Nothing, just the weather

Changes to Conference Layout/Venue • Would have the vendors closer and more involved with the conference • Have workshops on one floor level • Hotel

Ability to Attend All Presentations/Outings • If I could have changed anything I would have had the time to gone to all the presentations! I heard there was presentations and presenters that gave awesome and educational information that I didn’t get to see... • Having the opportunity for everyone to go on the medicine walk who wanted to. Maybe more buses or more times to go • Opportunity to attend more sessions

Other • I was disappointed when they said yoga session. Dress appropriately and bring a mat. No yoga. Sat through listening to what yoga was about. Totally misleading • Being able to go on the hiking trail to see more of Nova Scotia

Have Information Available About the Area/Things to Do • Having information about Halifax and things to do in your spare time. Tourist info and must-see sights from a cultural and tribe/territory perspective

Changes to Registration System • Better system for pre-register classes

More Networking Opportunities • An evening get together, to get to know others from other provinces and exchange business ideas and what they do in their communities

- page 32 - More Testimonial Events • More testimonial events

I would Change Nothing • Nothing • All was awesome • N/A • Nothing • Nothing to mind • It was excellent • I’m not sure I would have changed anything. • Nothing • Really enjoyed everything • Nothing • Nothing to change

Please advise us of any presenters you would like to see at future conferences: (N=23)

Grandmother Renee • Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill • Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill • Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill • Grandmother Renee • Grandmother Renee • Rene

Elders • Elders • Elder Albert Marshall • Dr. Albert Marshall • Elder Imelda Perley • Imelda Perley • Imelda

Specific Individuals • Tuma Young (2x) • Dr. Coutinho • Dr. Treena Delormier • Chief Leroy Denny A conference delegate and NADA Board Director • Dr. Charlotte Loppie from University of Victoria Lyle Daniels photographed at the Masters • Dr. Jeff Reading Indigenous Games booth • Rick McLean from IDHC • Dr. Agnes Coutinho • Dr. Amy Bombay • Thierry Gaudet-Savard • Amanda Lipinki • MC Dion Denny • Gabor Mate would be an excellent speaker to address Mental Health and addictions. Although he wouldn’t speak to diabetes directly, mental health and addictions directly affect diabetes management

Speakers on Specific Topics • Would love some speakers on motivational interviewing and behavior change • Speakers on emotional well being • Heart disease and diabetes

- page 33 - • Traditional healers • It would be great to see community based programming around physical activity • Childhood obesity • Tobacco presentations

Other • ?? • None • From the bios that I read, they all seemed to know their field of expertise

What are the 3 things you remember about the presentations? (N=36)

Session on Traditional Knowledge • Medicine walk info...love hands on.... • Traditional Medicine • Medicine wheel teachings • The medicine walk • Plant that stopped smallpox • Learned about different medicine • Medicine walk • Medicine Wheel • Medicine tour with Tuma Young • The medicine wheel teaching- that we need to help our children recognize their feelings and that they are ok but to let them go before they go to sleep • Outing for plants • Edible plants

Physical Activity Presentations • Physical activity sessions • Glut 4! and how physical activity can help with effective diabetes management • The physical activity presentation by Agnes - that you need to move more muscles for better effectiveness of BG control and that doing resistance activity before aerobic exercise helps protect from low BG • The impact of physical activity on blood sugar • Move 3x a day for 15 minutes • Move • Physical activity 15 x 3 time per day 1 hour after meal to help control blood sugar • School yard games • Yoga • Pole walking • Walk after eating

Information about Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Grandmother Renee • GDM • Grandmother Renee • Gestational diabetes • Grandmother Renee • Grandmother Rene’s plea and in sharing her dream - to stop the nonsense, feeding our children junk and not giving them the proper tools and teachings to be healthy, that we as a Nation need to stop fighting and work together • The Gestational Diabetes Grandmother teachings • Gestational talk with grandmother sense.. .just amazing words...presenter from community that I work for was AWESOME to chat afterwards • Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill

Culture-Based

- page 34 - • Context • Culture is foundation • Indigenous base • Language spoken • The indigenous knowledge that was shared • Spirit Glucometer • 7 generations of teachings

Opportunity to Come Together and To Share • Good people • Interaction • Comforting • Meeting new people • Community celebrating and sharing • The comfort to ask questions

The Water Ceremony • Water Ceremony • Need to keep our waters well • Water ceremony • Water Ceremony • Water ceremony

Presenters Were Knowledgeable and Passionate • Presenters were passionate about what they do • The overall positive energy that came from the presenters • Expert Knowledge • Good presentations • Dedicated

Conference Was Informative and Relevant • Relevant to most participants • Informative • Information good • Relevancy • Can bring back to community

Foot Care • Check your feet • Weather/also foot care • Foot care

Information about Diet and Food • Diet • Natoaganeg community food centre

Fasting Presentation • Intermittent Fasting • fasting • Ceremonial Fasting session

I Remember the Elders • Elders • Youth needing to connect with mothers grandmothers fathers single etc. • Elder Imelda Perley

- page 35 - Growing Forward Presentation • The growing forward presentation - the young people who have worked so hard to build up the farm they started in the community • Gardens by youth • Community gardens

Heart Smart Kids Training • HSK Training • Heart and stroke for kids • Heart & Stroke

Information about What Other Communities Are Doing • The differences in health concerns in other regions • What other communities or doing in the fight of diabetes • How others view Diabetes, and how they treat diabetes

Presentation by the Chief • Chief Leroy Denny’s personal experiences with his community • Chief presenter • Chief presentation

Presentation on Two-Eyed Seeing • Two eyed seeing talk from Albert Marshall • Elder Albert Marshall • Two Eyed Seeing

Conference Was Inspiring/Motivational • Inspiring • Motivating the community • Enthusiasm

Cultural Safety Session • Cultural safety session w/ Nunatukavut

Other Comments about the Overall Conference • Content • Not to long • Good food • Health equity • Innovative • Presentation • Legends • Not Barbie doll, but real doll that works • Love yourself • Focus on Patient/ User • Resource materials • Laurie Nicholas

Of the 3 things you remember, what is the most significant to you? (N=32)

Honouring the Culture/Traditional Knowledge • Learning about traditional values • Honouring the culture • The importance of going back to our traditions.

- page 36 - • The traditional knowledge that was shared by the presenters • Traditional Medicine as it gives us another view and should be open minded when patients want to use alternative medicine. As a health care professional, we need to be informed. • Traditional medicine walk

Gestational Diabetes Presentation • The grandmother talking about in the gestational session blew me away. What an inspiration and amazing resource for women! • Grandmother Renee’s words • GDM • Grandmother Renee’s talk

The Resources and Information We Can Use in Our Communities • The relevance of presentations to other communities. A lot of great programs, ideas that we can take back to our communities • Learning new information • I really like getting the Heart Smart Kids teaching books. I also like the Native Infusion Rethink your drink. Both excellent resources

Opportunity to Network and Move Around • Breaking up all of the great presentations with opportunities to move, network and even a traditional knowledge tour of Peggy’s Cove was enjoyable and made the conference more memorable • Networking • Meeting people from other provinces; how we are alike even though we are different first nations, our problems are all the same or similar

Importance of Physical Activity • Importance of physical activity and impacts it has. Felt inspired to see how successful the Mi’kmaw communities are with so many projects they have implemented and to learn about the positive impacts it has had on the communities. Makes me want that to happen here in our communities too. • The physical activity and DM one because I can use it with my clients with diabetes. • Love the yoga, presenter showed us a video and no matter what age, physical activity can help

The Engaging Atmosphere at the Conference • The comfortable engaging atmosphere • Community sharing

Flexibility • The ability to adapt so program ran smoothly

Specific Presentations/Information that Were Inspiring • Inspiring youth presenters on their farming project • Community gardens • Foot care • Cultural safety session-- this should be a component/offered session of all future Indigenous health conferences. • All were good but liked community freezer. Was interesting to see how they have to live and how fortunate our community is • The Natoaganeg Community Food Centre was the most significant to me since our community is thinking about starting something like this. • I think it would be presentation. • Community presentations • Elder Imelda Perley • Two Eyed Seeing Knowledges • Glut 4 information • The need for our youth to look to family for advice. Rebuilding the trust and knowledge between the two

- page 37 - Other • Love yourself • Same as above

Was there a presenter you enjoyed the most? (N=30)

Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill • Grandmother Rene • The grandmother from the gestational talk. • Grandmother Renee • GDM • Grandmother Renee • Grandmother Renee and Helen Robinson , Mary Beaucage, also Lindsey Cosh • Yes! Grandmother Renee :)

Presentations by Chiefs • The Chief, Eskasoni FN • Chief Leroy Denny I like life experience presentations. • Chief who spoke about determination, getting youth involved and wife in wheelchair, • Chief Leroy

Enjoyed All the Presenters • enjoyed them all • Most of them • Unable to choose on Many were exceptional • all of them

Physical Activity Presenters • I enjoyed Krista Devoe & Jordan Smith as well as Dr. Agnes Coutinho. They’re presentations were most impactful and memorable. • Dr. Agnes Coutinho • Alex McComber

Tuma Young (Traditional Knowledge) • I enjoyed Tuma Young and the medicine tour guide out to Peggys Cove. It incorporated physical activity as well as sharing knowledge of the Mi’kmaq people around medicine in nature • Guides for the tour at Peggy’s Cove

Only Attended One • I was only there for 1 day • Sorry, I only attended this one on foot care

Catherine Knockwood • yoga instructor

Food Security Presenters • The food security presentation on the last morning

How will you incorporate this information into your work and/or personal life? (N=34)

Will Share Information in My Networks/Organization/Community • Forward what little information I received, as I missed most of the conference, to the ADI people in my region • Sharing with other diabetics • I can take better care of my feet, because it is not only Diabetics that have a problem, those babies are at your beck

- page 38 - and call on a twenty four hour clock basis. This information I will share with anyone who will listen. • Connect with people I met. Share resources, best practices, work together • Share the highlights from the conference to my team members and incorporate areas that we like into programs in our community • Tell people what she talked about and I wish we had someone who is Mi’kmaq ,that can tell the stories. • Shared with clients about walking after meals • By talking about the values we must hold when planning a family or during pregnancy. The way we must treat our bodies as women. These things are especially important when you have children of your own. There are those like myself that didn’t grow up with traditional knowledge, so it was nice to hear the stories and teachings! • I would like to use the motivating the community

Awareness of the Importance of Including Culture • I learned more about the importance of including the cultural aspect into all education • I will use tips for adding to cultural sensitivity practices. Adapt my workshops to add more peer sharing and try and build in more talks on self-care practices. I would love to do more sharing circle and peer led support groups. • Understand the culture to help make informed decisions • Elder Imelda Perley provided a lot of information on mindfulness, gratitude and information on Indigenous culture. She is amazing! • I already gather and use traditional medicines and include indigenous knowledge in our education/training sessions as requested by community members

Use the Resources Provided to Teach Others • Definitely using the heart smart resource to teach children and the native infusion book for me • Will weave these teachings into my work going forward and ensure that I am using relevant information and sensitivity in my interactions • Tell the story of the community freezer and show people how fortunate they are living where they do • Utilize information for program and service delivery

Use Physical Activity Information in My Work/Community • Use the glut 4 information and physical activity education even more with my work • The importance of physical activity and enthusiasm for life as positive determinants of health • I will be able to help my clients make better physical activity goals with this information to better manage their BG

Use Information to Manage Personal Health • Use the glut 4 information to better manage my glucose levels and try to get off all or many of the diabetes meds I am on • Going try yoga • Healthy body healthy mind, we do our 10,000 steps a day

Increased Awareness • Be more aware of complications • Learned of different programs, people and organizations in Diabetes that are doing great work. I feel more knowledgeable about what types of work are happening around Diabetes and First Nations people in Canada and some of the challenges moving forward • Better lifestyle conscious of lifestyle choices and cultural/spiritual connection

Will Learn More About Physical Activity Programming • Learn more about physical activity programming and possible grants to help support our FN communities improve their physical activity programming

Want to Learn/Take More Training • Want to take grandmother senses training!

See the Importance of Increasing Youth Involvement • I see the significance of getting the youth involved in helping out communities. If we all work together, everyone

- page 39 - will follow

Will Continue to Use the Information in Work • I have been using Two Eyed See in my research work both when I completed my PhD and current research work

Do you have any other feedback about the conference? (N=29)

Conference Was Well Organized/Excellent Conference • It was a very well planned and this showed in the flow of the each day • Great work! • Great job! • Great job overall • Excellent, enjoyed myself once I got there. • Great job! • Despite the storm, and all the challenges this brought forth; I thought that the conference was well executed and well planned. Thank you very much for this opportunity • Just enjoyed attending. Would go again • Thank you! • All was great thanks for the opportunity to attend • It was a great conference! • I enjoyed it, getting away from the office, learning about new subjects . • It was an amazing conference despite the inclement weather in Toronto and Ottawa • Well organized, wonderful thank you • Was awesome and would like to keep updated for next conference • Wonderful conference and Jeff and the organizers did a fantastic job even when mother nature had a different agenda. Great job! • Good Job team • Was one of the best conferences I have attended • It has been the best conference I have attend as a First Nations Health Provider. Job Well Done!

Felt a Bit Disorganized in the Beginning • It felt disorganized in the beginning but that was understandable with the weather issues and resulting delays • There was one session that started later (not on time) which ended up taking longer to present than the expected agenda times and I ended up missing another session as I was still listening to the current session I was in. Not a big deal but I was a bit disappointed I would have to miss the session I had planned to attend.

Need to Move Around More • I really enjoyed the conference but we have to get up and move more! I learned a lot and am very grateful for the educational experience! • May the Creator bless the attempts at education of all who need the information and encourage those who think they don’t.

Issues with the Weather • Due to the weather I was only there for 1 full day and I felt out of place and lost • It was awesome, even though presenters were stuck in snowstorm, they still improvise of what they had

Enjoyed the Vendors and Information Booths • Enjoyed the craft and information booths

Would Have Liked More Networking Opportunities • It would have also been nice to have some kind of evening gathering such as a bus or few Vans going to Peggy’s cove so that there could be some more fun networking and so more people could have a chance to see the attractions in the area

Not Able to Register for Excursions

- page 40 - • Excursions: I was not able to register for excursions when I originally registered

Would Like a Follow Up with Presentations • I would of like to receive either a CD or flashdrive of all the presenters presentations, cause I wasn’t able to go to all of them, and all seemed very interesting, so by any chance if the presenters sent their slides to you can you email me

A Welcoming Environment • I felt very welcomed and respected in the small group sessions and the entire conference. I found the conference demonstrated the strength and progress to date the Indigenous communities have been engaged in. I was pleased to hear how well Membertou and Eskasoni are doing as they are in the area i.e. Sydney where I grew up and worked prior. I thought the speakers from there explained their initiatives and areas where more work needs to be done very well

Time was taken on day one to honour the Mi’Kmaq Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy, with his wife Marie Sylliboy in attendance.

Heather Berthelette from Spirit Pharmaceuticals speaks to delegates about the Spirit Meter.

- page 41 - 103 - 90 GARRY STREET WINNIPEG MB R3C 4H1 NADA.CA

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