News

Indigenous peoples in Canada are among the highest-risk populations for diabetes due to factors, including healthcare barriers. Barriers include fragmented healthcare, a lack of culturally appropriate care and poor chronic disease.

The Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle (“IDHC”) is an organization that provides programs focusing on diabetes education, prevention, and management in Indigenous communities in Ontario, both on and off-reserve and serves First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities. In collaboration with over 100 partners, IDHC works to develop and distribute culturally appropriate education, promote resources based on community needs, share relevant diabetes research and build capacity. We call this work “Karihwáhstha (we are still useful).”

In working towards this priority, in 2023, with funding support from the Lawson Foundation, IDHC held its second National Public Policy Circle Gathering in Victoria, British Columbia. Leaders and advocates in the field of Indigenous health policy came together to discuss and prioritize pressing policy issues and objectives surrounding Indigenous diabetes. The Gathering brought key subject matter experts from across Canada together to drive meaningful change in Indigenous diabetes policy. One of the defined objectives was to create a digital hub to facilitate stakeholder policy work. That objective is now realized.

The new hub includes:

• Our Mission and Vision
• History of the Project
• Message from Indigenous Elders
• Goals and Progress Reports
• News Articles
• Private Login for Members
  • Member Directory
  • Event Calendar
  • Policy Repository
  • Resource Articles and Videos
  • Private Messaging

The website will be formally launched to members at the Karihwáhstha in-person meeting #3.