"Sharing One Skin: Okanagan Community"

Armstrong Jeanette. “Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan Community,” in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds), The Case Against the Global Economy. San Francisco, CA, Sierra Club Books, 1996. Pp 460-470.

“Sharing One Skin: Identity” by Jeannette Armstrong, discusses many important ideas such as finding your identity to represent yourself and your community that you belong to. As for developing a way of connecting with your community, she mentions the language of her tribes and her cultural backgrounds of how they view one another based on their living lifestyles, responsibilities, including their teachings that were passed onto them. Based on the discussion phrase that was included, there were many key points that were connected to the main topic that was chosen. Armstrong includes, “As an Okanagan you are automatically a part of the rest of the community. You belong. You are them. You are within a family and community. You are that which is family and community; within that you cannot be separate,” (p. 465). This represents a symbolization of “unity” and “respecting” one another based on the different types of cultures many people came from before they joined the Okanagan community.

"Native American Identity"

Perry G. Horse (Kiowa). “Native American Identity”, Native American higher education issues. NEW DIRECTIONS FOR STUDENT SERVICES, no. 109, Spring 2005. Pp 61-68.

Reading the article “Native American Identity” written by Perry G. Horse, he discusses the situation of Native Americans losing their representation of themselves as well as the loss of their Native language. With concluding this, there were major problems that were mentioned such as Native Americans following White privilege rather than learning more about their own cultures/traditions. Horse argues, “We favor the speaking of their language over our own Native American languages. We adopt their religious beliefs and practices. We emulate their forms of government and schooling,” (p. 63). This argument brought up many differences between the past and the present based on millions of opinions around the world. Most people living in the present time such as to this day would like to be referred to as “Native Americans.”

"The Meriam Commission and Health Care Reform (1926-1945)"

J. G. Townsend. “The Meriam Commision and Health Care Reform (1926-1945),” Indian Health--Past, Present, and Future. An article In Oliver La Farge’s book, The Changing Indian, 1942.

In the article “The Meriam Commision and Health Care Reform (1926-1945)” written by J. G. Townsend, this article discusses the tragic and horrible experiences that Native American people endured at a very young age. Around the year 1926, there were laws that were being set and followed to obtain a certain status in one community such as being a certain age and tribe. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the president during this time and there were movements that were occurring discussing the movement to improve health conditions of Native Americans. Natives were placed into asylums all around the world. In addition, the lack of funding given by the government, prevented healthcare workers from giving good hospitality or care to patients. Townsend mentions, “It was impossible to study the diet served to patients, as no file of menus was available. On the day of the visit, it consisted of a stew of meat and carrots, with more fat and bones than anything else, thin apple sauce, bread, and coffee,” (pg. 307-8). In this case, if many of the Native American patients did not have any documents or health records on file, they were forced to be sent home to their own communities to get the treatment they needed, rather than being seen at other locations or immediately.

"Addressing food insecurity in a Native American reservation using community-based participatory research"

Valerie Blue Bird Jernigan, Alicia L. Salvatore, Dennis M. Styne, and Marilyn Winklehy. “Addressing food insecurity in a Native American reservation using community-based participatory research,” College of Public Health. HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH. Vol.27 no.4 2012, 11 October 2011, Pp 645-655.

In the article “Addressing food insecurity in a Native American reservation using community-based participatory research” written by Valerie Blue Bird Jernigan, Alicia L. Salvatore, Dennis M. Styne, and Marilyn Winklehy, they discussed the idea of how we as Native people are struggling with our eating choices based on our habits. As researchers all came together from different universities to discuss this topic, they have created a helpful program called “THRIVE.” This program looks into the situation by surveying Native Communities to get people’s opinions on this topic. Throughout this process, they collected the information for the statistics to have a brief idea of how many people endured health problems due to high blood pressure and diabetes. Blue Bird et al. mentions “Round Valley Indian Health Center found that community members have low physical activity levels and diets that are nutritionally poor and high in fat and sugar,” (p. 647). Residents in this community are 68% obese in comparison to the national average of 38%. By spreading awareness, they have also implemented another program to support families through providing a local grocery store that includes nutritious foods and brings awareness to many communities through their advocates.

"Long Walk Death March Navajo Strength"

“Long Walk Death Navajo Strength.” Youtube, uploaded by C-Bar Studios, 22 September 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5FwX-IcoL8.

In the video the “Long Walk Death March Navajo Strength” by C-Bar Studios, history is shared on the events of the Navajo Long Walk. In 1864, many Navajo’s were chased off of their own reservations by U.S Military Soldiers under the guidance of Kit Carson. They wanted to flush them out of their own communities. So in order to do that, they had to burn their villages, destroy their crops, kill their livestocks, as well as contaminate their water to take away resources. After collecting about 7,000-8,000 Navajo’s including men, women, and children, they started to march to Bosque Redando. This was the “Indian Removal Effort'' meaning that they were trying to get rid of all of the Natives. As they walked an estimated 250-450 miles, they were cut off from necessities such as food, water, and the resources that they needed during this walk. While traveling in very harsh weather conditions, many Navajo’s could not continue to move forward due to the lack of resources and clothing. As they fell behind, the U.S Marine Soldiers would shoot them whether they could walk or not. After walking for about 2 months, they finally arrived at Fort Sumner. They lived there for about 4 years before finally being allowed back to their reservations that they have originated from.

"Diabetes Mellitus in Native Americans: The Problem and Its Implications"

Narayan, Venkat K.M. “Diabetes Mellitus in Native Americans: The Problem and Its Implications.” 1996. The National Academy of Sciences. Changing Numbers, Changing Needs: American Indian Demography and Public Health. 28 March, 2011.

In the article “Diabetes Mellitus in Native Americans: The Problem and Its Implications” written by K.M. Venkat Narayan, this article first introduces Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetes) by mentioning the causes that it can occur at any age group. This can lead to significant disability, renal failure, blindness, limb amputation, as well as premature death. As most people only learn the basic understanding of Diabetes, there are various ways that it has been introduced to many Native Americans. World War II was the start of diabetes becoming the most common disease It was also introduced on the different types of food that people used to eat. During this time, about 72,000 Native Americans were affected by this and it started to spread very quickly. As it used to be referred to as “Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM),” there are various factors leading to very tragic situations. As obesity is another huge factor that is leading to NIDDM, many young age groups are at risk of getting these implications due to the lifestyle that they are living in or the types of foods that they are digesting. Looking at research that was founded by the Pima Indian Study, they have found that they are known to have the highest reported incidence of diabetes in the world. Genetics factors play a huge role in how these diseases can be passed down into younger generations. The risk of diabetes occurring at an early age is strongly transmitted from parents to offspring. As diabetes occurs at an older age in parents, this would have a less effect on the risk of diabetes in offspring. To prevent these problems or situations from occurring in their community, they have created a study to where every 2 years, each resident living in the area who is about at least 5 years old was invited to participate by examining the patient, look through the medical history, a physical examination, oral glucose tolerance test, and their measurements of height and weight to make sure each child is in healthy support to avoid these problications. Building farming system as well as the types of food that is being grown, they want their community to stay very healthy as well as setting a high example for their children or any younger generations ahead.

“Diabetes and Kidney Disease in American Indians: Potential Role of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages"

Joseph M. Yracheta, MS; Miguel A. Lanaspa, PhD; MyPhuong T. Le, PhD; Manal F. Abdelmalak, MD; Javier Alfonso, MD; Laura G. Sánchez-Lozada, PhD; and Richard J. Johnson, MD. “Diabetes and Kidney Disease in American Indians: Potential Role of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages.” Diabetes in the Native American. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. June 2015.

In the article “Diabetes and Kidney Disease in American Indian: Potential Role of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages” written by Joseph M. Yracheta, MS; Miguel A. Lanaspa, PhD; MyPhuong T. Le, PhD; Manal F. Abdelmalak, MD; Javier Alfonso, MD; Laura G. Sánchez-Lozada, PhD; and Richard J. Johnson, MD, this article discusses the Pima Indians of the Southwest that are known to have the highest rate of diabetes, obesity and chronic kidney disease. With having past history issues of these occurrences among Native Americans, another major factor leading to this are sugar-sweetened beverages. To find the causes of these many health problems, they have decided to survey tons of Indigenous groups to evaluate these changes that are being made. Including Native Americans, Alaska Native, First Nations, Aboriginal, Amerind, Mexican Americans, and Amerindian for American Indians, they have gotten into a deeper understanding of history occurrence. By getting samples leading to the start of 1775 Pima Indians, they conducted a hypothesis which “documented the presence of obesity in Pima women well before exposure to Western culture,” (pg 23). Looking more into the research, they have found that “Most cases are due to diabetic nephropathy, although the incidence of other kidney diseases such as IgA nephropathy has also increased in some American Indian populations,” (pg 23). Including many statistics in the article, they’ve compared their studies on American Indians (Native Americans) and Whites. Reviewing these tables, shows Native Americas have the highest number of people having these various health problems especially to this day. As these studies and statistics start to show us these different tests, we can determine that for Pima Indians, this has been occurring ever since the Western days. This may be a situation that may not go away in the time being but, some of the ways to prevent these from happening can be multicultural perspectives and interdisciplinary applications.

“The Power to Heal Diabetes"

“The Power to Heal Diabetes.” Youtube, uploaded by Physicians Committees, 12 Oct 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UgzXEpJ5mU.

In the Youtube video “The Power to Heal Diabetes” by Physicians Committees, they mentioned “1/5 Native Americans adults have diabetes and teenagers are the fastest growing group diagnosed.” Introducing various people Donna Hall (arkara, hidatsa, and crow), Jenson Yazzie (Navajo), and Mr. Yazzie (Navajo) that are struggling with Diabetes within their community or surroundings, they wanted to make a change to their living lifestyles. With this, they have gone to a Doctor named Dr. Neal Barnard (physicians committee for responsible medicine). He wanted to help every individual so he discussed the signs or symptoms of being a Diabetic. This Includes thirst, tiredness, shortness of breath, having blurry vision, feeling hungry most of the day, hearing problems, heart problems, and many more. As hearing their backstories of these difficult times, he wanted to find ways to help them without the use of any medication. By doing this, he worked with his team at the National Institution of Health to begin a research study among them. Sinee, they had very bad health problems, they decided to change their diets to plant based foods such as beans, rice, corn, vegetables, and fruits. As they begin to overlook their weight the past weeks, they have noticed that they started to lose weight, their blood sugars came down, their cholesterol levels came down, the need for medicine came down, and some did not need medicine. From this, they have noticed that Traditional foods “have so much health power,” Dr. Neal Barnard mentioned. The last step that they wanted to proceed with was to make a program for others who are struggling with their diets or their food choices. So, Dr. Neal Barnard discussed with Betti Delrow (Navajo Nation Special Diabetes Project) on how they can start this. For this program, they decided to make their classes mostly based on how to make healthy, great, affordable Traditional Foods for yourself and your family members. Overall, this was very beneficial and efficient to everyone because they started to see the changes involving their weight, health problems, and being more active. Throughout moving to this topic, we lastly hear Native American’s perspectives based on how they got through these rough times as a community.

“Native Americans fight historical discrimination to lower diabetes, obesity rates"

Gatalica, Daniel. "Native Americans fight historical discrimination to lower diabetes, obesity rates." Cronkite News, the news division of Arizona PBS, 3 Jan. 2020, cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2020/01/03/native-american-diabetes-obesity/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2022.

Reading the article “Native Americans fight historical discrimination to lower diabetes, obesity rates” written by Daniel Gatalica/Cronkite News, he first introduces a family from Phoenix, Arizona. The parents go by the name Alex Alejandre and his wife Mary. They wanted to share their weight loss journey to their community of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Native Americans struggling with diabetes/obesity, and for their 17-year old son Nathan. Interviewing the Alejandre family, they tend to mention how they felt about the topic of diabetes/obesity affecting many Native Communities. As Alex is also a member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, they got to reach out to health programs that have had guided them through their experiences.With the help of many Federal organizations such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, Obesity Action Coalition, American Nutrition Association, Navajo Department of Health, National Indian Health Board, and the IHS Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup. Providing data and Statistics to support their evidence, they have found that “Native American adults are 50% more likely to be affected by obesity than non-Hispanic whites,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (par.3). Including another statistic founded by the Obesity Action Coalition, “90% of people struggling with Type 2 Diabetes are also struggling with degree of Obesity” (par.4). Figuring out how these situations occur in every community, we always discuss the idea of Junk food and historical disparities. Organizations of the Navajo Special Diabetes Project and the Navajo Department of Health came to speak upon this situation. From the growth of fast foods being built all around the Navajo Nation, most members living in the community would rather get processed foods for their family than cooking healthy meals that include fruits and vegetables. Conducting these information, the National Indian Health Board replied to this by saying “Acts of physical and cultural genocide, forced relocation from ancestral lands, involuntary assimilation into Western culture and persecution and outlawing of traditional ways of life, religion and language, have resulted in disproportionately higher rates of health problems among the Native community”(par. 11). Viewing these situations in most communities, they wanted to reach out to health programs for prevention and treatment. These programs had included the Special Diabetes Programs for Indians and Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country, Wellness centers, and Way of life Facility. Some of the ways or ideas that you can improve your health are doing any physical activities, from traditional knowledge, health education, and connecting to any healthy resources. Lastly, these programs wanted to work together to fund wellness centers and wellness activities for all age groups so we can all make a change.

“How Diabetes Got To Be The No. 1 Killer In Mexico"

Beaubien, Jason. "How Diabetes Got To Be The No. 1 Killer In Mexico." Goats and Soda STORIES OF LIFE IN A CHANGING WORLD, Heard of All things Considered, 5 Apr. 2017, www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/04/05/522038318/how-diabetes-got-to-be-the-no-1-killer-in-mexico. Accessed 16 Feb. 2022.

Reading the article “How Diabetes Got To Be The No. 1 Killer In Mexico” written by Jason Beubein, he begins his article with an interview about a community member living in the Country of Mexico. Mario Alberto Maciel Tinajero, a 68-year old living with Type 2 Diabetes. Working at a market downtown Mexico City making custom-made quinceañera dresses and hand-tailored suits, he suffers from this disease throughout his lifetime. Affecting his family by taking his mother from this, he is now taking pills and injections to keep this stable and under control. For Alberto, it is very difficult trying to maintain a healthy diet especially when he works around tons of food stands serving various amounts of foods such as tacos, tamales, quesadillas, different types of sandwiches, or roast pork taquitos. According to the World Health Organization, diabetes is the main leading cause of deaths occurring within their country. With the disease spreading around their community, it is stated that it has “claimed about 8,000 lives each year” (par.6). The World Health Organization has also made a statement mentioning that “the health problem is expected to get worse in the decades to come” stated by forecasters (par.6). Getting their information around their community, they have noticed that people who are struggling with being overweight in Mexico are far likely to develop Type 2 diabetes based on their food choices and health knowledge. Most people who are on the urge of having diabetes struggle with two situations. First can be denial, and second can be the cost of the mediation such as the cost of pills and needles needed in order to maintain their sugar levels. From Mexico having high rates of diabetes and obesity problems, they are known to have an effect on the economic process. According to the Mexican Government, “Mexico is known to have the highest consumer of soda in the world, guzzling 176 liters per person per year” (par.12). Due to these rates of health problems occuring in their country, their Local Government has setted up a free clinic for all residents who are at risk of getting these health problems. Dr. Rosa Estrella Calvillo Gomez, the main leader for this clinic, gives us her opinion that most of her patients struggle with this news that was given from her. As a community member herself, she mentions the struggles that most of her fellow residents have to go through when they have diabetes and need medication or needles. She includes the statement “To get excellent control of diabetes costs a lot of money, it costs as much as renting an apartment” says Dr. Estrella Calvillo Gomez (par. 23). Her statement of how to avoid these health problems is very easy and manageable, she says. From Mario Alberto Maciel Tinajero being one of her patients, he is very thankful for Dr. Estrella for helping him as much as she can. Mario ended his statement with one last statement to Dr. Estrella says “If this clinic didn't exist," he says, "I would be dead” (par.28).

“Diabetes: The Silent Killer"

“Diabetes: The Silent Killer.” Youtube, uploaded by Attitude, 16 May 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6MHz6IzJ1g.

In the Youtube video “Diabetes: The Silent Killer” created by Attitude, they began by introducing a patient named Brian Kairau from New Zealand. As a father of 4, he has suffered from having Type 2 Diabetes throughout these years. As Diabetes is spreading throughout his body, it has caused him to be in the process of amputating his legs due to infected limbs that won’t heal. From being in the hospital for a couple of months, they started to discuss his background and how this had very affected his family and children. As his son Joseph Kairau and his daughter Sharmayne Kairau are at high risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes, they wanted to try to make a change for themselves especially for their father. During this, a Doctor named Dr. Michael Mosey mentioned that genetics plays a huge role in diabetes so it is very important to watch out for the types of food that you eat. Dr. Mosey made a statement saying “Unhealthy diets and obesity are now our biggest risk for disease in this country.” It is to be said that a quarter of a million New Zealanders live with diabetes. Dr. Caryn Zinn, a dietitian, made a statement saying “Maori and pacific people are three times more likely to develop diabetes than other ethnic groups in New Zealand and five times more likely to die from Type 2 Diabetes.” As Dr. Michael and Dr. Caryn started to find out why these health problems are occurring very often in their country. They have reached the conclusion that this is from the many fast food restaurants that are continuing to grow every day. They both came to the idea that the cheap processed foods are leading the drivers of this epidemic to get the best amount of added fat, sugars, and salt. A health navigator named Susan moala’eua has been working with the community that she’s from as stated that diabetes is very preventable. It's just the idea of adults and teens putting the work and commitment for themselves and others. Going back to Brian’s story, his children felt that the need for change is very needed. By doing this, Brian’s son Joseph went to a genetic gym trainer named Buck Stowers to make his change. From discussing his situation with the gym trainor, Stowers made a statement saying “If we don’t change that philosophy of life, our children will end up like us. The change starts with you,” To end this, Brian was in the process of getting surgery to amputate one leg while slowly recovering through this tough journey for himself and his family.