A successful partnership between First Nations and Health Researchers in Addressing the Challenges of Diabetes

"We did it for the children. We want to be known, not just as the community with the third highest diabetes rate, but as the community that did something about it.". Former Deputy Chief Harry Meekis, quoted in The Toronto Star, April 30, 2000. The SLHDP was conceived in 1991 as a partnership between the Sandy Lake community and diabetes researchers. It is a model for community-based primary prevention programs in diabetes, and incorporates the principles of participatory research. The investigators and community leaders meet regularly to discuss all aspects of the project, including study protocols, funding, new initiatives, personnel, and publications. All project protocols have been approved by the Sandy Lake First Nation Band Council and the University of Toronto Ethics Review Committee. The original goals of the project were to determine the prevalence and risk factors for diabetes in the community, and to develop a culturally appropriate strategy for primary and secondary prevention of the disease and its complications. Significant progress has been made over the past 9 years in each of these areas.