Siletz
Community
“Cha-may weeya
Health
Clinic
Medicine Talk
Diabetes Group Travels
to Reno
Twenty-two staff members and
patients of the Diabetes Support Group
attended the National Native Diabetes
& Community Prevention Conference,
held in Reno, Nev., in January. The
conference, sponsored by the University
of Oklahoma, covered several topics
ranging from stress, exercise, and
nutrition to traditional foods and
foot care.
Margo Boesch is enrolled with the
White Earth Minnesota Chippewa Tribe
and is a member of the Turtle Clan. She
presented a new approach to diabetes
prevention that focuses on one’s
relationship to food, the way it affects our
cravings, insulin resistance, and how we
use food to make us feel better. Boesch
is a breast cancer survivor and
comedian. Her presentation was fun,
interesting, and entertaining.
Top photo: The “gang."
Bottom left photo (I to r): Tammy Wagner, Danny Rilatos,
Kent Rilatos, and Tony Lundy take a break.
Bottom right photo: Harold Belmont and Tammy Wagner.
Another speaker, Harold Belmont
Sr., titled his presentation “Empty
Wheelchair, Heart Full of Hope.” He
shared his life story of alcohol addiction
and living on the streets. At one time,
Belmont was lead dancer and was
active on the pow-wow circuit.
He grew up on a hill near downtown
Seattle. His blood is Suquamish and
Songhees. He calls himself a “Beacon
Hill” Indian. At the time of his diagnosis,
he was in a wheelchair and weighed
380 pounds. He talked about how he
discovered that he needed to make
changes to live a healthier life. Belmont
now weighs 210 pounds and walks with
the help of a cane.
His presentation was one of hope
for each individual who listened to him.
He describes himself as “alcoholic,
diabetic, arthritic, and romantic.” Harold
has been sober for the past 25 years. He
now travels and shares his story to
encourage others to lead a
healthy lifestyle.
Attendees at the conference
included Sandra Hahn, clinic health
educator; Kathryn Dick, clinic programs
assistant; Lesia Warner, Portland-area
CHA; Angela Clarke, clinic medical
social worker; and Angela Ramirez,
tribal services assistant. Diabetes
Support Group members who attended
included Wayne Case, Tammy Wagner,
Kent Rilatos, Danny Rilatos, Tessabell
Green, William Strong, Jack McCord,
Leslie Hickerson, Nicole and Tony
Lundy, Angela and Dale Robertson,
Diane Robertson, Shelly and Reggie
Butler Jr., along with their children,
Logan and Cecillie.
।
Diabetes Prevention
I
i
You can prevent and control
I diabetes. The best ways are:
I
Be active...walk more and longer
|
Choose low-fat foods
|
Eat more fruits and vegetables
J
Eat whole grain breads and
cereals
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