Knowledge + Inspiration
"Among my people, diabetes is met with denial, as something to be ashamed of because it's perceived as a sign of weakness. When I was first diagnosed, I was devastated [but] I knew I had to seek out what positives I could. I once served as a counseling psychologist for people with diabetes and I would like to offer that same positivity to all our fellow U.S. Indigenous in their own phases and forms of the disease". - Regina Lamar Whitewolf / Eagle Woman Looking Back (Blackfeet / Wichita), AIDA Founder
Diabetes has hit our Indigenous families in harrowing ways and in multiple forms. AIDA, the American Indian Diabetes Association, works together with First Nations communities to offer access to diabetes remedies, research (old and new), and information - all toward allaying the disease.
An appropriate and recommended launch point to begin enhanced dialogue in basic understanding is the very language we use when addressing our loved ones stricken with the diabetes. For example, instead of using words and labels such as, 'diabetic', an AIDA recommended alternative would be to replace that terminology with phrases such as, 'woman or man with diabetes'; and so forth.
A voice of support and inspiration is Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota) who once stated: "I was the fastest man in America and the fastest man in the world, and I ran with undiagnosed diabetes".
He continues to inspire all people as an Olympic gold medalist and world record breaker.
"Our traditional virtues and values give us the confidence and clarity to take control of our diabetes. Realizing that is the easy part. The hard part is doing it every day."
"We all have a choice . I can either take control of the diabetes or let it take control of me. I chose to take control of it."
We are so happy he will continue to contribute to AIDA.
So many of our Tribal Elders, both passed and living, lived or are living with the pains of diabetes. And while there are experiences of dread in our communities, there are also successes.
A wonderful example of resilience is Newton Rose, one of the last Full Blood Wichita of his time. Though he was diagnosed and lived with diabetes for 50 years, he lived to the great and honored age of 92.
We honor his legacy by following his day to day healthy lifestyle personal practices and overcoming the disease. AIDA is a support towards such important triumphs for all U.S. Indigenous.
