"Promoting Healthy Living on Six Nations"

Housed at the White Pines Wellness Centre in Ohsweken, Health Services is releasing an innovative mission statement and brand new ideas in accordance to Community Awareness Week.

Along with an Open House and Free Hearing Clinic organized by the LTC/HCC Program on May 20, several other departments will be hosting an open house for the community at the centre. With programs branching throughout the health umbrella, Health Services touches the lives of many within the Six Nations Community.

Titled the "Mission, Vision, Values Statement" the online form of the "mission" section of the statement entails; "Six Nations Health Services is dedicated to building a healthy community and will provide, promote and protect culturally appropriate superior health programs and services for the Six Nations Community."

The "Vision" section of the statement reads; "Six Nations Health Services, in partnership, envisions each community member will achieve and maintain their highest level of health, functioning and independence." With over twelve programs and services information readily available, Health Services also offers updates in community events by offering an online schedule.

Program Manager for Health Services Kate Gasparelli explained that each program is doing something for Community Awareness Week. Gasparelli supervises three distinct programs including the Diabetes Education Program. "They provide essentially advice as far as managing diabetes, to type one or type two diabetes and then people who are at risk for type two as well," said Gasparelli. "You can have your family doctor refer you to the program, but you can also self-refer and you can just come by the office and say 'I'd like an appointment.' If somebody's free they'll see you right then, if not then they'll book an appointment within a week or two," she continued. She further explained that the DEP is provincially funded, as many of the programs are.

With this in mind, the question as to how to sign up for an activity program is a wonder to many. As an upcoming program for the month of September; the Health Promotion Team and Diabetes Team will be collaborating with the Diabetes Foundation and Tim Horton's to recruit youth for a Diabetes Camp to be held at the Onondaga Tim Horton's Camp just South of Cambridge. To sign up for the youth Diabetes Camp or to be directed or referred into any Health Services programming, you can contact "Jill" at (519) 445-4779 for assistance.