Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

More than 900 people paraded through the Solomon Memorial Lacrosse Box at Generations Park on Thursday, July 21, for the 26th Annual Wellness Day. Many departments from the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Akwesasne Mohawk Council, as well as hospitals and organizations from surrounding communities, joined forces and set up tables loaded with program information, handouts, promotional freebies, and reusable bags.

Months of planning and coordination went into organizing the day, which was spearheaded by the Health Promotion/ Disease Prevention (HP/DP) committee consisting of Dana Henhawk, Leona Barnes, Kim McElwain, Tewentahawihtha Cole and Leigh-Ann Mitchell. HP/DP is committed to providing a free community event that highlights local wellness resources and services through interactive exhibits, informational handouts and family friendly activities. The mission of Wellness Day is to promote healthy families and communities through education on health and wellness, public safety, sustainability and financial planning.

For the past few years Wellness Day has been held at the old IGA building, but this year there was a change in location. "I always thought that Wellness Day should be outside to get people moving", commented Kim McElwain, SRMT Health Services Registered Dietician and WIC Coordinator, HP/DP member. "With the lacrosse box here, I feel it's the perfect venue for it. It gets people out and there are activities like the poker walk and a fitness challenge going on along the walking trail. It's a good way to get people moving a little bit more. It is also big enough with enough space between the tables. It's really come a long way from way back when they had Olympics with bed and canoe races at the Mohawk School. Wellness Day has changed and evolved". According to Ms. McElwain, surveys were sent to vendors to see if they like the set up or would like something else for next year. She would like to see a little more activities for children in the future.

Community member, Emily Tarbell, enjoyed the Wellness Day; "I like getting out and seeing everybody and of course the free stuff is nice. I'm also amazed at the breadth and depth of the Tribal programs and how much is out there to serve our community". More than 65 vendors and organizations set up tables to share information on becoming and staying healthy, being environmentally aware, getting organized and the protection and safety of everyone from babies to the Elders. Samples of teas made with medicine plants found in backyards and foods made with blue corn and honey harvested in the community was available.

Activities were also geared toward health and wellness like the poker walk and the fitness challenge on the walking trail. Wellness Day Participants also had the opportunity to have a free diabetes screening, a blood pressure check, as well as advice on Will making and Estate Planning. The Red Cross conducted a blood drive at the nearby Office of the Aging Senior Center, while speakers educated on topics such as Pulmonary Health, Living with Bipolar and Strength and Balance. The Franklin County Sheriff's Department provided free fingerprinting and photo identification kits for children.

The CKON family, Cecilia Francis, Bingo Coordinator, Diane McDonald, General Manager and Gina Thompson, Financial Officer, were handing out surveys and prizes in exchange for completed surveys.

The Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club cooked up healthy smoked turkey leg meals and turkey burgers for hungry Wellness Day goers. Smoothies, energy balls, fruit cups and fruit bars were also for sale. Belly Buttons the clown delighted the kids with balloon animals and face painting. Participation in some of the games and activities allowed for names to be entered in drawings for camping gear, spa packages, nutria-bullets, a handmade wooden box, miniature golf package as well as themed baskets.

With the theme of Wellness Day being, "Health is your Greatest Wealth", all the organizations, programs and vendors strive to provide an environment that empowers and supports the nutritional, emotional and physical wellbeing of those who live, work and play in the community. With the looks of the turnout, the message is getting out and people are taking charge of their own health and wellbeing. Niawen to the HP/DP Committee members and all the vendors for all your hard work to keep the community healthy and happy.