Author

mm

Third Year Chiropody Students at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN

Chad Bezaire, Selina Lyn and Radha Modhera are third year Chiropody students at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN.

Third-year Chiropody students’ visit to the Rama First Nation annual health fair

Health promotion and prevention is one of the main competencies required in the last year of the Chiropody program at The Michener Institute. Whether it’s an educational seminar or participating in a health event, it’s important for us to demonstrate our clinical education to fellow health care practitioners and the public by promoting and advancing foot health.

Edward Moloy (left) with Selina Lyn, Radha Modhera and Chad Bezaire, third-year Chiropody students from The Michener Institute of Education at UHN
Edward Moloy (left) with Selina Lyn, Radha Modhera and Chad Bezaire, third-year Chiropody students from The Michener Institute of Education at UHN

On September 28, we drove two hours to the Chippewas of Rama First Nation near Orillia, Ontario to participate in the annual Rama First Nations Health Fair. Not only was this an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of diabetic foot screenings, we also got to explore the beautiful reserve and Edward Moloy’s chiropody clinic at the health centre (Ed is also a graduate from Michener’s Chiropody program).

At the Rama Health Fair, the Anishnaabe people of Chippewas of Rama First Nation warmly welcomed us to their territory. They invited us to learn about their way of life and connection to all of creation. They see themselves as another element of nature; no greater and no less than everything else on Earth. Thus, they hold animals and all of nature in very high regard. The plants and animals they use for food and clothing is a constant reminder of their interconnectedness with nature.

There are four sacred medicines traditionally used amongst the Anishnaabe people: tobacco (semaa), sage (mashkodewashk), sweetgrass (wiingash) and cedar (kiizhik). Tobacco is the first and most fundamental medicine. It is used to communicate with the spirit world through offering. Sage is a woman’s medicine that offers strength, wisdom and clarity. It is used to symbolize the life-giving power of women. Sweet grass is a gift from Mother Earth which promotes strength and kindness. The aroma of burning sweetgrass has a calming effect which promotes kind thoughts. And lastly, cedar is used for purification and bringing balance to yourself. It is also known for attracting positive feelings, energy and emotions. We had the opportunity to participate in a smudging ceremony – the burning of these various plants to make a cleansing smoke – to allow negative energy, feelings and emotions to be lifted away and to heal our mind, body and spirit.

IMG_6875There were several booths set up inside the Mnjikaning Arena Sports Ki community centre with other health care professionals such as paramedics, rehabilitation professionals, naturopaths and local companies and programs including health promoters, local artisans and businesses.

At our booth, our focus was diabetic foot screenings. For people with diabetes, risk identification such as neuropathy, foot deformity and vascular disease is fundamental for effective preventive management of ulcerations and amputations. We made a makeshift clinic and used the Inlow’s 60-Second Diabetic Foot Screening Tool, which allowed us to make a quick but thorough evaluation of our patients. This let us give feedback to the patients and raise awareness of foot health in the community.

Collectively, all of the health promoters and organizations at the fair shared the goal of improving the wellbeing of the Rama First Nation, and we were honoured to be part of it. We felt a strong sense of community where everyone has a role to play in creating a thriving community. This experience allowed us to gain a better understanding of the demand for foot care services for Rama First Nation, and how to bridge that gap. Having experienced the culture, community and speaking to the locals, we left Rama with a great appreciation and understanding for their culture and history.

Share