CORAL HARBOUR - Students at Sakku School took part in a number of activities to raise awareness on diabetes this past month.

The students went on the Walk for Diabetes and then attended an awareness fair which included a healthy snack and information on the disease.

The majority of students at Sakku School took part in a Walk for Diabetes in Coral Harbour this past month. - photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak

Teacher Lisom Tam-Eveleigh organized the event.

She said in addition to the fruit and vegetable plates students received, information pamphlets were distributed and a video, Diabetes in Nunavut, was presented.

"A community health representative from the nursing station came to prick the students' fingers to determine what, approximately, their blood-sugar levels were."

Snack funding was provided by Health and Social Services to show people the fruit-and-vegetable choices they can make that are low in sugar and high in fibre content.

Tam-Eveleigh said a number of community members joined the walk.

She said students also made a number of posters for the school to raise awareness on the symptoms of diabetes.

"We have to start somewhere and this was the first time this particular event was held in the community.

"We got comments from some people that it was a good event to have and it got the information out there.

"It was talked about in the classrooms, and the students did look at the pamphlets we provided and gave it some thought.

"So, it might result in some diet and lifestyle changes here in Coral."

Tam-Eveleigh said she's seen students come to the school from lunch carrying pop and chips.

She said for things to change the government has to look even closer at what

it's doing with food mail.

"Our communities desperately need healthier choices at a reasonable cost.

"In many places more than 20 years ago, the Northern store was instrumental in bringing in fruits, vegetables and dairy products at a lower cost than it sells them for now.

"People could actually afford them, but the cost of an average pineapple here is more than $10 now, so how many families on a budget can afford that?

"The Northern has different ownership since then, but, if it's making money off people in the community, it should lead the way in providing healthier, lower-priced items we can buy to add to a healthy lifestyle."

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