Tribal peoples without land are forced into a sedentary life and many become dependent on processed foods. This change in lifestyle and diet – from high-protein to high-fat food – is often disastrous, leading to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.
In the Pima reservation (Arizona), more than half of Indians over the age of 35 have diabetes; while those living in the mountains suffer far less from this condition. The International Diabetes Federation predicts that excess weight and diabetes will lead to ‘earlier deaths and disabilities’. If untreated or detected late – as is common with tribal peoples – diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, strokes, heart disease and amputations. The impact on future generations will be catastrophic.
‘The human costs of
unrestrained development
on our traditional territory,
whether in the form of
massive hydroelectric
development or irresponsible
forestry operations, are no
surprise for us. Diabetes has
followed the destruction of
our traditional way of life
and the imposition of a
welfare economy. Now
we see that one in seven
pregnant Cree women is
sick with this disease, and
our children are being born
high risk or actually sick.’
Matthew Coon-Come, Cree, 2002
