INTERESTING NEWS Canada’s Oldest First Nations Newspaper - Serving Nuu-chah-nulth-aht since 1974 Canadian Publications Mail Product Vol. 48 - No. 02—January 28, 2021 haas^i>sa Sales Agreement No. 40047776
Photo by Melissa Renwick
The snow line could been seen along Lone Cone Mountain - which is known as Wanachis in Nuu-chah-nulth - on Meares Island, across the water from Tofino Jan. 26.
Ahousaht man takes charge of Type 2 diabetes By Eric Plummer Ha-Shilth-Sa Editor Port Alberni, BC - A cane and leg brace sit near the entrance to Paul Sam’s apartment in Port Alberni. They’re familiar items for the 64-year-old, but also an indication of the empowerment Sam has gained during the last eight months over his Type 2 diabetes. “I don’t use these anymore,” said Sam in a gentle, unrushed manner characteristic of his Ahousaht roots. Having lost 45 pounds since last spring, Sam adds that he plans to give the cane to a friend who needs it in Tofino. Besides the weight loss, he’s also overcome low energy and constant pain that were characteristic of his medical condition. “I got tired of being sore and tired of just no more energy,” said Sam, who recalls his diabetes developing over time,
resulting in difficult symptoms for the previous nine years. “I used to be really active years ago. I used to be in forestry and logging and fishing, all that kind of stuff.” People aren’t born with Type 2 diabetes, but the condition affects 90 percent of those diagnosed with the disease. Contributing factors to acquiring Type 2 diabetes are having parents with the condition, stress, not enough sleep, a lack of activity and a diet with high quantities of refined carbohydrates, such as juice, soda and white bread. National statistics from Diabetes Canada show that First Nations have at least double the five per cent rate reported for the general population, with even more prevalence for those living on-reserve. “The impact of colonization is the main cause of diabetes,” said NTC dietician Rachel Dickens. “It didn’t really exist
Inside this issue... Funding for Port Alberni hospital..............................Page 3 Critical findings for youth mental health...................Page 5 Nootka Sound spill stabilized....................................Page 7 Port Hardy apartment fire.........................................Page 11 Recently published canoe book................................Page 15
before the 1940s in Indigenous communities.” Those afflicted can’t produce enough insulin, a hormone that helps control the amount of glucose – or sugar - in the blood. Glucose is the main source of energy for cells in muscles and other tissue, but if it isn’t managed with insulin this sugar can build up in the bloodstream. Type 2 diabetes leads to disorders of the circulatory, nervous and immune system, such as heart or kidney disease, skin infections, nerve damage – or even dementia. As many were under lockdown during the anxious early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Paul Sam became more active in an effort to reverse the progress of his condition. He was connected to Dickens through the tribal council’s nurse navigator, Leslie Cerney. Dickens found funding for a Libre Flush
Glucose Monitor, a quarter-sized devise stuck to the back of Sam’s upper arm that measures blood sugar levels 24 hours a day, without the usual finger pokes that diabetics resort to. The monitor can be scanned with a smartphone. “In the beginning Paul had difficulty putting the sensor on himself because of the weakness in one of his hands, but now he can do it all himself,” said Dickens. “Wearing that, Paul was able to change his diet as well, seeing what spiked his blood sugars and what made his blood sugars go down.” “When they scan with their phone, it also connects with my computer, so I can see their results,” she said. “There’s quite a few people in Ahousaht that are using the meter and having similar success with just learning what foods are good for them.” Continued on page 2.
If undeliverable, please return to: Ha-Shilth-Sa P.O. Box 1383, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M2
