Spirit

Traditional Knowledge Program

Bill Messenger Teaching Lodge

SOADI’s Traditional Knowledge Program combines traditional wisdom with current diabetes education, while incorporating First Nation’s, Métis, Inuit and mainstream influences. This program also supports Frontline Workers to plan, prepare and present relevant information about diabetes while also educating on Indigenous perspectives on health and wellness.

Our Program has two key learning goals. First, our goal is to provide culturally influenced content while educating on health and wellness as it relates to diabetes. Second, our goal is to influence and inspire Front Line Workers to empower their participants in a safe learning environment. That helps to nurture self-awareness and enhance their understanding of their own health and wellness, and how it impacts themselves and others in their health careers.

Our program offers front line workers with a number of individual workshops and trainings including:

  • YES Hatha Yoga Teacher Training
  • First Aid Training for Front Line Workers
  • 13 Grandmother Moons Curriculum Trainings
  • Monthly Health and Wellness Webinars
  • Culturally Appropriate Resource Development
  • Networking with community health and wellness experts for workshops or presentations on specified topics
  • Seven Generations Gestational Diabetes Program
  • Diabetes Education Portal (coming soon)
Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill

This program is deeply influenced by the teachings of Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill.  According to Grandmother Renee, we must reclaim the knowledge of our ancestors for understanding and awareness in our own lives. It is important for our training participants to understand how the loss of traditional knowledge influences our physical health, mental health, emotional health and spiritual health. To reclaim the overall health of our ancestors we need to reclaim the traditional knowledge of health and wellness from a holistic approach. Our teachings are seen as a tool to support participants on their personal journey into restoring their mental, spiritual, emotional and physical balance and well-being, so they can better support their own communities.

For upcoming training and events click here.