Flying Dust First Nation is participating in a study on the health and lifestyles of Indigenous women. (Shelly Rowland/Facebook)

By Elliott Knopp

Holistic Health

Flying Dust hosting Indigenous women’s health program study

Dec 1, 2021 | 5:00 AM

tic healthFlying Dust First Nation is hosting a 24-week holistic wellness program for women in the community.

Makoyoh’sokoi, the Wolf Trail program, is a study on the long-term health of Indigenous women using culturally relevant influences. The program has run for four years in three Albertan communities; Onion Lake Cree Nation, Calgary and Lloydminster.

By providing each woman in the program with resources and activities designed to improve physical, mental, spiritual and emotional wellbeing, the program facilitated through the University of Calgary is hoping to reveal how these changes can make improvements to the health of Indigenous women.

In an interview with meadowlakeNOW, Primary Facilitator Jenalee Blatz explained individuals within the target demographic are typically more susceptible to serious health conditions that may be a result of deficiencies in their lifestyle.

“Indigenous women often face barriers to participate in physical activity and tend to have higher rates of diabetes, obesity, heart disease and cancer,” she said.

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“We’re hoping that with this, there can be some changes with the participants’ health, even if it’s minor changes. It can significantly help improve their overall holistic health.”

Workers will gather personal information from each participant and conduct measurements to each subject’s body and extremities before they begin the program.

Over the course of the 24-week study, the participants will engage in a series of weekly fitness classes and educational sessions to introduce new habits that can complement their lifestyle.

They will also be involved in discussions on various topics with nutritionists and health experts. The data from the classes will be submitted to the University of Calgary for analysis.

There will be an opportunity for them to submit feedback and discuss opportunities of improvement at the end of the program.

Blatz said the study provides people with a rare opportunity to be involved in crucial research that can benefit the wellbeing of their community and future generations.

“I am an indigenous woman, a member of Flying Dust, and I’m extremely excited to host this program and work with members of the community to bring some physical activity and have a positive impact mostly on some people’s lives.”

Anyone interested in learning more or applying to become a part of the study can reach out to Flying Dust First Nation by phone at (306) 236-8670.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp