NADA respectfully recommends that the Government of Canada acknowledge that diabetes among indigenous peoples of Canada is a systemic disease at pandemic levels and requires immediate attention. There is a large and unpredictable gap in the potential health benefits available through our advanced Canadian health system to indigenous peoples with diabetes across the nation and in comparison to non-indigenous groups.
The following points reflect key areas that NADA has identified as having critical impact on the current rate of diabetes and its complications. These are our recommendations.
Support diabetes programs, services, and research to be led by indigenous peoples. Current non-indigenous organizations and efforts focused on diabetes and related chronic conditions do not address the unique cultural needs of indigenous peoples and do not take into account each community's needs, culture, and interests. The growing gap in health outcomes and ability to provide appropriate means to facilitate suitable diabetes management and prevention can only succeed with direct and collaborative consultation with indigenous peoples. Indigenous Canadians must be able to draw upon their own cultural traditions in the design and delivery of programs and research.
NADA requests that funding must reflect the severity of the situation surrounding the current state of health of the indigenous population, especially with regard to diabetes. NADA requests support to continue to lead a collaborative effort to empower its peoples, communities, and partner organizations in order to enhance their ability to foster healthy environments for improved diabetes prevention and management. We reference Truth and Reconciliation Commission call to action 19, which talks about chronic diseases and the availability of appropriate health services.