As Type II diabetes reaches epidemic proportions among United States American Indian people, models of culturally based community intervention programs have been designed and implemented to prevent and control this disease. One such method being utilized on the Winnebago and Pine Ridge Reservations is the talking circle. The talking circle is a very old cultural method that uses oral tradition to pass along information. A curriculum employs this culturally based technique to assist talking circle participants to lower their risk and/or manage their diabetes.
One component of the talking circle is the utilization of a peer facilitator. The peer facilitator provides leadership and maintains the process of the talking circle. In a qualitative research project, the facilitator was asked to describe the experience of being the talking circle facilitator in a diabetic intervention. The research themes portray the nature and provide insight into what it is like to be a peer facilitator in a reservation community.
Learning Objectives: 1. Understand components of the Talking Circle as a diabetic intervention. 2. Describe the experience of the peer facilitator.
Keywords: American Indians, Diabetes
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Center for American Indian Researcha and Education
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.