History
Phase I of the Diabetes Medicine Bag began in September
1998. The Manitoba Association of Community Health (MACH), an organization
of primary health facilities and individuals interested in community health
and primary health care, submitted a proposal to address the alarming
rate of type 2 Diabetes among Aboriginal children.
The first project was a Tickle Trunk—hand-painted boxes, which
contained a variety of resources. The Tickle Trunk received the national
and regional «Speaking of Food and Eating» award through the Dietitians
of Canada, and the «National Practical Diabetes Educational Resource»
award through the Canadian Diabetes Association.
As the project progressed, changes were made to improve the resource
kit and it was renamed the Diabetes Discovery Kit.
Further evolution has resulted in re-titling the kit the Diabetes Medicine
Bag (DMB) to better reflect the Aboriginal focus and content.
Phase II began in November of 2001. Phase II’s
goal is to provide a second Diabetes Medicine Bag resource kit for children
aged 7-12. With the help of various partners, new activities are being
developed and focus group tested. Phase II is anticipated to be completed
in January 2004.