It’s a sad fact that Native populations have the
highest rates of obesity and diabetes of any ethnicity.
The Centers for Disease Control says obesity says Native
Americans are one and half times more likely to be obese
than other ethnicIt’s a sad fact that Native populations
have the highest rates of obesity and diabetes of any
ethnicity. The Centers for Disease Control says obesity
says Native Americans are one and half times more likely
to be obese than other ethnic groups. Other studies
have shown low-income, pre-school aged Native children
had the highest obesity rate at 20 percent, and that
rate is rising.
Creating a healthier Cherokee Nation has been my top
priority as chief of the Cherokee Nation. We have
made record investments to expand health care
facilities and buy world-class equipment. However,
to truly create healthier people instead of treating
symptomatically, we must start educating our
youngest citizens from the start.
Obesity is an epidemic that plagues Native
communities nationwide. Tribal nations have the
ability to address this deadly issue head-on.
Creating environments conducive to physical
activity, teaching improved family nutrition,
increasing access to healthy foods and starting
community gardens are some of the ways to combat
this growing problem.
Cherokee Nation’s ‘Learn to Grow’ community garden
program teaches children how to grow their own
fruits and vegetables, leaving a lifelong impression
about proper nutrition and health. The program
reaches more than 3,300 children in certified
Cherokee Nation childcare programs.
By planting, tending and harvesting their own
community gardens, Cherokee kids get active and stay
fit. The project is a joint effort between the
tribe’s Child Care Resource and Referral office, and
Healthy Nations. Now in its second year, the program
keeps improving. More than 100 child care facilities
in Craig, Mayes, Delaware, Nowata and Ottawa
counties are now participating by having community
gardens nearby.
With the help of their caretakers, children grow
nutritional and traditional foods like squash, corn,
beans, peppers, melons, tomatoes and lettuce. We are
making changes that not only combat obesity, but
also promote physical fitness and healthier eating
in Cherokee communities.
Studies show that children who participate in
growing their own food become more interested in
good nutrition. The simple act of growing their own
produce makes kids more inclined to eat healthy
fruits and vegetables. These are easy changes we can
make in Indian Country to prevent chronic diseases
and lower the mortality rates associated with
obesity.
That vested interest of where their food source
comes from is something we hope these children
maintain for a lifetime. Watching children become
active contributors in their gardens, and seeing the
pride and ownership they take in their crops is
inspiring to say the least.
The program also teaches children an important
cultural lesson, as sustainable foods have always
been a part of the Cherokee Nation’s heritage and
traditions.
Generations ago, growing our own food and
maintaining our natural environment were the things
Cherokees from passed generation to generation. With
this garden program, coupled with our Heirloom Seed
Bank Program, the Cherokee government and its people
are getting back to that way of thinking.
I’d also like to thank our partners in the Learn to
Grow project. The OSU Extension Office, Department
of Human Services Licensing and the Native American
Associations of Ketchum and Adair have been integral
to the success of this program.
An informed community willing to ensure access to
healthier foods and physical activity where we live,
work and play will result in happier and healthier
kids.
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