Health Warriors (School Program)

The Health Warriors is a diabetes prevention educational program for students in the 10-14 age groups carried out in association with local schools. Students are invited to participate in an introductory discussion about diabetes. Each student is encouraged to learn about diabetes on their own, from elders, teachers, nurses, Internet and other sources; then share their knowledge at a community gathering in the way they prefer such as writing an essay, performing a play, drawing, singing and/or dancing, about diabetes, how it affects them and their families, and how to prevent it. Students’ presentations will be published on the Diabetes and My Nation website.

Best Practices:

• Present an outline of the program to the Principal of the School;
• Outline the benefits and procedures to the Teachers and get their input;
• Integrate the program with existing school activities;
• Meet with the students and teachers and involve them in a talk about diabetes using simple language and presentation;
• Use simple teaching tools; and
• It is extremely important to highlight that First Nation genetic structure is not bad, it was designed by the Creator for the environment and way of living. Another message is diabetes in not a death sentence, it could be prevented or delayed, and people who manage it can live healthy and happy life.