BRAID Projects:   Our Address: BRAID / MDSi University of Alberta 8308 - 114 St., Suite 4100 Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2V2 Phone: (780) 407-1627 Fax: (780) 407-1715 mdsi@ualberta.ca Get the latest ADOBE Reader BRAID - FN Believing we can Reduce Aboriginal Incidence of Diabetes Maggie Willier Wellness Centre, Driftpile Cree Nation Phone: (780) 355-3931 www.driftpilecreenation.com Representatives from Driftpile attended The 2nd International Diabetes in Indigenous Peoples Forum in Vancouver. They gave a presentation on how Traditional and Western healing practices are being used together in Driftpile to fight diabetes. Click here to view their presentation. ABOUT DRIFTPILE AND BRAID-FN Driftpile Cree Nation has been a leader in the community-based fight against diabetes in Alberta First Nations. Driftpile initiated the BRAID-FN collaboration with Dr. Ellen Toth and the University of Alberta in 2003, with the objective of screening the entire Community for diabetes and diabetes risk. The preliminary results were the subject of a master’s thesis, reporting on about 60% of Driftpile's population. BRAID-FN has also looked at rates of the metabolic syndrome in the Community. An article was published reporting the results, with Driftpile Band Chief Rose Laboucan as a co-author. Driftpile participated as one of the CIRCLE Study communities, and is BDRG's partner and host community for the new BRAID-Kids project funded by the Lawson Foundation. Driftpile has developed extensive community-capacity for diabetes programming. Since BRAID-FN began, the Community hired a full-time Diabetes Educator for its health centre, and a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) on staff at the health centre has begun offering holistic workshops on integrating indigenous healing and Western medicine. Driftpile is currently organizing its 2nd annual conference on diabetes and prevention, targeting all Treay 8 Communities. The conference is scheduled for March 2008. Since BRAID-FN began in 2003, the Community has also built a walking trail, established a popular fitness centre, and made changes to their school's food program and physical activity curriculum. Community gardens and support groups have been established, and the Community has sponsored a very successful weight-loss contest. Driftpile obtained a grant to produce a video documenting “Diabetes Through the Generations”. Driftpile pioneered the diabetes retinal screening work that let to the SLICK (Screening for Limbs, I-eyes, Cardiovascular and Kidney complications of diabetes) program in Alberta First Nations. To honour Driftpile's leaderdship role in the fight against diabetes, the BRAID Diabetes Research Group takes its name from the BRAID-FN project.       BRAID Contacts: Paulette Campiou, Driftpile Health Centre (780) 355-3951 Kelli Ralph-Campbell, University of Alberta (780) 407-8456     Driftpile Diabetes Newsletter: Vol.1, Issue4: BRAID-Kids initial results: Tests indicate Driftpile kids could be at risk. Read more... Vol.1, Issue 3: Diabetes Prevention Lessons to be Taught in Driftpile School, Starting October. Read more... Vol.1, Issue 2: BRAID-Kids is off an RUNNING! 16 kids: A GREAT turnout in May! Read more... Vol.1, Issue1: Will a "Cree Pride" program for families prevent diabetes better? Read more...