The Wellness Department aims to improve the overall health of the Catawba Nation and community members by coordinating resources and ideas to make healthy options more accessible and inviting. Wellness programs consider all age groups, residential areas, and activity levels for planning health education and improvement programs and events. Areas addressed include, but are not limited to physical activity, healthy eating, tobacco cessation.
Catawba Lifeblood T2 Diabetes Prevention Program
The Center for Disease Control predicts that one in two American Indian/Alaska Natives will have type 2 diabetes in their lifetime unless the current trend changes. The Catawba Nation Diabetes Prevention Program is a year-long program for Catawba citizens to encourage and support healthy lifestyle changes to prevent type 2 diabetes. Classes are once per week for the first six months and once per month for another six months.Topics include:
- Healthy eating without giving up foods you love
- Adding and making time for physical activity in your life
- Healthy ways to deal with stress
- Coping with food-centered challenges, such as healthy food choices when eating at restaurants, and
- Getting back on track when straying from your healthy food plan
For more information or to enroll in the program, please reach out to Trisha Bigham by email at trisha.bigham@catawba.com or by phone at (803) 366-4792).
Food Sovereignty Programs
We have been working to strengthen Catawba Nation’s food system and are excited about the progress we’ve made, as well as our plans for the future. Through the Wellness Department, we have been hosting fresh produce box distributions for tribal citizens, have numerous raised bed gardens around the reservation, host bi-monthly cooking classes and work group meetings, and have started the first round of Hunter Voucher Programs. All of these efforts focus on healthy and accessible food through outlets that honor Catawba Nation’s vast history and culture.
Contact information
Tolani Franks, Wellness Manager
tolani.franks@catawba.com
Amanda Parker, Wellness Coordinator
amanda.parker@catawba.com
Hayley Brezeale, Food Sovereignty Coordinator
hayley.brezeale@catawba.com
Resources
Exercise and Fitness
American Heart Association
www.myfitnesspal.com
Healthy Eating
Food Network
www.choosemyplate.gov
Local events & program links within the Catawba Indian Nation & York County, SC area
www.ycmagazine.com
www.active.com
www.eventbright.com
Facebook (Join & like the group page called Catawba Wellness Warriors)