Wampum walks for diabetes

NEWS RELEASE

BATCHEWANA FIRST NATION

************************* Batchewana First Nation Wampum belt walk for diabetes

Batchewana First Nation will see to it that the Diabetes Wampum Belt way across the North Shore, to the next First Nation recipient, Thessalon First Nation.

The Diabetes Wampum Belt was created after Joe Jacob's of Kahnawake had a dream where the word, "TEIAKONEKWENHSATSIKHE:TAR" came visible to him.

The meaning and significance of this Mohawk word, "Our Blood is Sweet" which symbolized to Jacob's the importance of overcoming the diabetes epidemic that is so prevalent among First Nation's.

Batchewana First Nation's responsibility of transferring the Wampum Belt to Thessalon First Nation didn't come as an easy task.

A guiding principle of the Wampum is that it has to be transported by physical means to promote a more wholesome, healthy lifestyle.

Batchewana First Nation called on all interested, community members to participate in the physical transfer of the Wampum.

An added incentive was that the First Nation's Health department contributed five new highway riding bicycles for participant's use that would be raffled off once the transfer was complete.

Participants will be outfitted with eye-catching shirts advertising Jacob's vision a ("Our Blood is Sweet"), as a means to raise awareness as the group travels.

Batchewana First Nation organizers and participants will be leaving the Batchewana First Nation Health Centre at 7 a.m. on October 14, 2011 and invite all media, and interested individuals to attend and partake in this worthy cause.

William Bissaillon will be greeting Batchewana First Nation in Thessalon to accept the Diabetes Wampum Belt and celebrate the transfer with a Feast for everyone involved.

The belt itself is a testament to the determination of First Nations to beat diabetes through good diet and exercise.

Batchewana First Nation members participating in the transfer exemplify the will of First Nation's people to overcome this epidemic in a positive and proactive way.

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