Aboriginal people from across the province are in Prince Albert today to learn how to better manage diabetes.
The 11th Annual Saskatchewan Aboriginal Gathering on Diabetes is being held at the Exhibition Centre.
Jan Cochrane, a certified diabetes educator with SIAST and the James Smith Cree Nation, says aboriginal people are three to five times more likely to develop diabetes due to what is known as a “thrifty gene” that slows their metabolism.
The Aboriginal gathering is aimed at preventing the onset of diabetes. Brie Hnetka, the senior manager of programs and partnerships with the Saskatchewan division of the Canadian Diabetes Association, says the gathering is also about supporting those who already have the disease:
“Living well with diabetes. There’s lots of things that you can do in order to live well with the disease.”
The gathering features a variety of information sessions on nutrition, exercise and how to quit smoking.