Peepeekisis Wins Weight Loss Challenge
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 at 10:37
The winner of a community health challenge was announced in Fort Qu’Appelle last night.
Peepeekisis First Nation was awarded $5,000 for losing the most inches in 12 weeks.
The money will be used to purchase fitness equipment and host fitness and dance classes.
Jaimee Marks, program coordinator for the Peepeekisis team, knew the race was a close one.
“We were so excited tonight. We were all standing there, and we really, honestly thought Standing Buffalo won. And when they said ‘Peepeekisis’, we were all like, ‘Did we just win? Really? Did they call our name?’ And then of course I had to cry. Yeah, so we really thought — and they said it was really close. Well, 8.2 centimetres to 6,” Marks says.
Standing Buffalo First Nation team was awarded $1,000, and is buying fitness equipment for their health centre.
They also plan to host fitness classes with their winnings.
For the past 12 weeks, these two First Nations have attended sessions designed for a healthy lifestyle.
Participants learned about physical activity, healthy eating, diabetes and other health issues.