The Circle of Diabetes Self-Management

Participation of community leaders, particularly who have diabetes, is a vital component to the program success. Their involvement validates the program with the community, bring knowledge of tradition, and promote diabetes management and prevention among their families and friends. In addition, this will make them stakeholders and may assist in overcoming the negative impact of residential schools and other changes that were forced on them.

Circles and Gatherings are the most suitable forms to provide diabetes management education. They provide a safe environment where everyone is equal and is able to share their experience and develop their own goals and diabetes management plans.

This form also provides the environment for learning from their peers experience of managing their diabetes. Establish a Circle of Healing, with emphasis on diabetes management and prevention, based on the traditional ways of gathering and circles of healing.

The Circle combines education by professional healthcare providers with working experience with the Aboriginal people and traditional healing specialists; sharing of knowledge between members of the circle; and monitoring healthy eating, physical activity and personal blood sugar levels so each member of the circle benefits from education and the stories of others and can develop their own personalized diabetes self-management program.