c a r i b o u h... t h e A Island Lake Child and Adolescent

the
caribou heard
2ND QUARTER 2007
In this Issue
U of M Leads Global
Charge Against Lung
Disease .....................3
End of Life Care for
Aboriginal Families .4
Midnight Sun Run ....5
Photo Ops.................6
Recipe.......................7
Announcements ........8
Full Colour copy
of this and past
Newsletters are on
our website:
http://umanitoba.
ca/faculties/
medicine/units/
Your link to and from the North
VOLUME 5, NO. 2
Island Lake Child and Adolescent
Screening Initiative
A
school-based screening
program was established
in Garden Hill First Nation
for the assessment of
obesity, early detection of
hypertension, and markers
for insulin resistance and
chronic kidney disease. The
program was initiated in
response to the known high
prevalence of end stage
renal disease in the Oji-Cree
population and associated
co-morbid conditions
including hypertension,
type 2 diabetes mellitus,
and obesity. Five hundred
and fifteen (515) children
and adolescents age six to
seventeen were screened
from November 2006 to
February 2007.
The following summarises
the principal findings:
• Regarding assessment
of being overweight or at
risk of being overweight,
as defined by BMI >85th
%ile (age and gender
standardized):
• 70% of the students
screened were
identified as having this
risk factor, with a low
prevalence of 40% in
the 17 year old cohort
and a high prevalence
of 83% in the 10 year
old cohort, and 80% of
6 year olds;
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
• Regarding assessment of being hypertensive or
at risk for being hypertensive, as defined by 90th
%ile or greater for diastolic or systolic pressure
(age, gender and height %ile standardized):
• 27% of the students screened were identified
as having this risk factor, with a low prevalence
of 4% in the 7 year old cohort and a high
prevalence of 50 % in the 17 year old cohort,
and 33% of 6 year olds;
• Regarding the presence of acanthosis nigricans:
• 15% of the students screened were identified
as having this risk factor for type 2 diabetes
mellitus, with a low prevalence of 0% in the 17
year old cohort and a high prevalence of 29 %
in the 8 year old cohort, and 13% of 6 year olds;
• Regarding hematuria of 3+ or greater:
• 11% of the students screened were identified as
having this finding, with a low prevalence of 0%
in the 17 year old cohort and a high prevalence
of 23% in the 14 year old cohort, and 13% of 6
year olds; and
....continued Page 2
the caribou heard
Screening Initiative
continued from page 1
• Regarding proteinuria (protein/creatinine Ratio
>30 mg/mmol albumin/creatinine ratio >3 mg/
mmol):
• 18% of the students screened were identified as
having this finding, with a low prevalence of 0%
in the 15 year old cohort and a high prevalence
of 40 % in the 16 year old cohort, and 2% of 6
year olds
Criteria for secondary screening were defined
specific to this initiative: 34% of students screened
were deemed to meet the criteria. Being overweight
or at risk for being overweight, and acanthosis
nigricans were not included as criteria for secondary
screening in the absence of hypertension or
abnormal urinalysis by the above noted thresholds.
Implications from the above noted findings are
thought to fall within four categories:
• Clinical implications for individuals with significant
findings. Even with secondary prevention
strategies, there is every reason to believe that
2ND QUARTER 2007
VOLUME 5, NO. 2
the screened population will have an excess
prevalence of chronic disease including type 2
diabetes, chronic kidney disease and inevitably
the need for renal replacement therapy, and
cardiovascular disease;
• population health implications. These findings
generate substantial concerns regarding the
prevailing level of health and anticipated health
outcomes specific to the Oji-Cree population,
and these concerns may be generalizable to the
Manitoba Aboriginal population;
• public health implications. There will be a need to
determine what practices, procedures, institutions
and disciplines will be required to achieve a
desired state of health for this defined population;
and
• the need for a formal research agenda and
subsequent knowledge translation to assist in
addressing the burden of disease and illness.
Results from the secondary screening program
should become available in early 2008. 
Happy Holidaysl
The NMU wishes you and yours a wonderful
holiday season and a new year of peace and
happiness.
Christmas Card Photo Contest
Featured on our Christmas Card this year is a
photo submitted by one of our physicians.
We would like to make this a tradition every year
by holding a Christmas Card Photo Contest. So
please get those cameras out this winter and
take some "holiday looking" photos for next year.
We will put the particulars of the contest in a
summer 2008 Newsletter.
Page 2
There are some of the Suicide Prevention Comic
Books left. We featured these comic books in
our 1st Quarter - 2006 Newsletter. The Suicide
Prevention issue is the first in a series focusing
on Aboriginal Youth by the Healthy Aboriginal
Network, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes
health, literacy, and wellness. A year ago we
distributed the book among our physicians to take
to the Nursing Stations. If you would like more
please contact Julie Creasey (789-3510). The
next issue deals with Diabetes and will soon be
available.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2ND QUARTER 2007
the caribou heard
VOLUME 5, NO. 2
Excerpts from University of Manitoba News Release - 3 October 2007
U of M Leads Global Charge Against Lung Disease
Pilot Project Could Unlock Mystery of High Death Rate Among Inuit
A
n art form that is distinctly Canadian
– soapstone carving – may prove to
be one of the reasons why more Inuit are
dying of lung disease than other Canadians
in the rest of the country.
This cultural activity, along with exposure
to wildlife through the tradition of hunting,
will be among the unique causes explored
by a team from the University of Manitoba
as it leads a global charge to unlock the
mysteries and profound disparities in death
rates from respiratory disease between
overall Canadian and northern Inuit
population groups.
Attending the formal announcement of the project at the
University of Manitoba, Molly Ann Takatak waves to friends
back home in Sani via satillite link.
Located on the Belcher Islands in Hudson
Bay, Sanikiluaq is the most southern community
in Nunavut and is located 100 kilometers west of
Northern Quebec.
“Potentially, the findings of this pilot project could
have world-wide implications and significant impacts
on the quality of life for the Inuit and other aboriginal
peoples living in circumpolar communities around
the globe,” said Dr. Emoke Szathmary, President,
University of Manitoba. “We are grateful to the
citizens of Sanikiluaq for their generous spirit and
willingness to partner with us.”
Despite evidence that respiratory illness kills more
people in Arctic communities than in any other part
of the world, Dr. Szathmary said there has been
no scientific research to date. “This alone will put
the University at the forefront of an international,
circumpolar movement related to respiratory
disease,” she said.
The pilot project will have three distinct components
which will:
- Study adults in Sanikiluaq who already have
respiratory disease with medical histories and
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
comprehensive clinical assessments undertaken to
determine how prevalent the disease is across age and
gender groups
- Explore linkages between cultural activities and
respiratory disease
- Introduce a community-based care model to help
diagnose and manage respiratory disease in Sanikiluaq
“The majority of research will be conducted in the
community with a broad-based interdisciplinary team
and transportable technology,’’ said Dr. Bruce Martin,
Project Lead and Director of the J.A. Hildes Northern
Medical Unit. “Our main goal is to look at disparities and
find ways to improve outcomes and the quality of life for
the people of Sanikiluaq,” he said.
The U of M ‘Enhancing Inuit Respiratory Health: A
Change Management Approach’ pilot project coincides
with International Polar Year 2007 and with Canada’s
plan to host the 14th Congress of the International Union
of Circumpolar Health in July, 2009.

The first of its kind four-year pilot project
will receive a $300,000 unconditional
research grant from pharmaceutical firm
Nycomed Canada Inc. in a partnership with
the U of M’s J.A. Hildes Northern Medical
Unit, and the Inuit community of Sanikiluaq,
population 815.
Page 3
the caribou heard
End of Life Care for
Aboriginal Families
A
community psychology
research team at
Saskatchewan Population
Health and Evaluation
Research Unit are focusing
on developing materials
to increase cross-cultural
knowledge and facilitate
delivery of culturally
appropriate end of life care for The Project's Logo
Aboriginal families. They have
produced two videos; one for health care providers
and one for Aboriginal families.
2ND QUARTER 2007
VOLUME 5, NO. 2
Advanced Trauma Life Support®
Course
This Course fills up Fast - Register
Early
The Advanced Trauma Life Support® Course for
physicians teaches a systematic approach for the
effective assessment and resuscitation of the severely
traumatised patient. The 2 day course consists of:
• pre-course test
• didactic and interactive core content
lectures
• practical skill stations
• surgical skill station
• triage scenarios
• initial assessment and management skill
station
• post-course test
Available at the NJM Library is the DVD on endof-life issues entitled: Completing the Circle: End
of Life Care with Aboriginal Families. In this DVD
Saskatchewan Elders share their experiences and
beliefs about death and dying. These messages
from the Elders help health care providers gain an
understanding of end of life health care needs.
Upon completion of the course physicians should feel
confident in the concepts and principles of primary
and secondary assessment, establishing management
priorities, initiating resuscitative measures and
demonstrating the practical skills used in the initial
assessment and management of patients with multiple
injuries.
You can view a trailer of it at: http://www.spheru.
ca/announcements/hampton-publishes-in-researchupdate
A verification card is provided upon successful
completion of the course and is valid for 4 years from
the date of issue. A student refresher course must
then be taken to maintain ATLS® provider status.
The one for Aboriginal families (Completing the
Circle: Healing Messages About End of Life Spoken
to Aboriginal Families) is not available at the Library.
But more information can be found at: http://www.
spheru.ca/about-spheru/our-team/mary-hampton-phd
The 2008 Advanced Trauma Life Support® Provider/
Refresher Courses will be held 1 & 2 February, 11 & 12
Apr, 6 & 7 June, 19 & 20 Sept, and 14 & 15 Nov.
Please contact Laura, 787-7374. We also have
application forms in the NMU office.
More DVD's are to be produced, one relevant to
Aboriginal seniors, and another addressing grief
issues of Aboriginal children.
Vitality - On APTN
Image Gallery on Website
Vitality is an informational show for
viewers who want to improve their lives
with more exercise, healthier eating
habits, and tips to manage their busy lives.
It encourages viewers to live a life filled
with Vitality. Every segment will feature
informative interviews with experts in
the field of medicine, fitness, nutrition,
cooking, and spirituality.
The image gallery gives potential
health care providers and those with
the NMU an opportunity to see pictures
of all communities, facilities, and
accommodations. We need pictures of
accommodations and facilities in all
the communities we serve. If you have
any photos please send to: Julie at:
[email protected]
Mon - Fri check local listings for times.
Any other pictures would also be welcome.
Page 4
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2ND QUARTER 2007
VOLUME 5, NO. 2
the caribou heard
Midnight Sun Run
by Dr. Danielle Froese and Rick Smith, PT
Start of 10 km race
photo courtesy of Rick Smith
O
n June 22nd, 2007 Rankin Inlet was host to
the first annual Midnight Sun Run. Almost one
hundred walkers and runners participated in either
the 5km, 10km, or half-marathon events.
The event was a fundraiser to buy running shoes
for kids in Rankin Inlet with the hope that this would
provide the means for the children to participate in
physical activities themselves. Incredibly, the run
raised more than $20,000.00 for ‘Shoes for Kids’.
A great many thanks to all our generous sponsors.
The run was organized by a group of local Rankin
runners, including the NMU’s Dr. Danielle Froese
and Rick Smith, PT. Rick took on the role of Race
Director which included organizing all the numerous
volunteers on the day of the event.
In particular, thanks go to our NMU volunteers who
allowed themselves to be roped into a Friday evening
of timing, dishing out food, and corralling participants.
Thank you to Dr. Christine Dechert and Dr. Michelle
Milne. Kudos to Dr. Gabriel Scullion who raised
money, completed the 5km race, and still had energy
left to help at the finish line.
Also a special thanks to Dr. Joan Swain who went on
a medevac on Thursday night, missed participating
in the run herself, but enabled Dr. Danielle Froese to
stay and run the half-marathon.
We were pleased to welcome NMU alumnus Carlie
Gray, PT (Rankin Inlet 2003-2005) back to Rankin.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
She flew up from Ontario to participate in the event
and walked away with the trophy for the 10km.
Congratulations Carly.
We are hopeful that the 2nd annual Midnight Sun Run
will go ahead next year with a new crop of volunteer
organizers. You can check out the website at www.
midnightsunrun.net for photos and results from the
2007 event and to register for the 2008 event! 
Congratulations to all
the Organisers and
Participants
Here at the NMU we were very pleased
and impressed to hear over 100 runners
and walkers participated in the Run and
over $20,000 was raised for kid's shoes.
Kudos to all.
What is happening in your
community? Let us know.
Please send information and photos to:
Julie Creasey [email protected].
ca
Page 5
the caribou heard
2ND QUARTER 2007
VOLUME 5, NO. 2
Photo Ops
Dr. Bonnie Woolford, Retinal Screening Nurse Linda
Taitley, fishing at Little Grand Rapids.
The NMU's new Receptionist, Iryna Tsybukh
Send us Your Photos and Announcements
Please send us your announcements:
accomplishments, births, marriages,
engagements, events? Any photos for the
Newsletter or Website Image Gallery?
Photos of staff (administrative and health care
providers) for the newsletter would be greatly
appreciated.
Happy Halloween, Slyvia Sunstrum (Dracula) and
Jacquie Thiessen (witch/chicken lady - for those who
remember the Kids in the Hall).
Please send to: Julie Creasey creasey@cc.
umanitoba.ca
We Need Photos for Promotions and Recruiting
Please send us your pictures. People
(particularly children) in any setting
(landscape, cultural activities, clinical) work
best in promotional items. If you have some
you think we could use please send to: Julie
Creasey: [email protected]
Lesyl Dofeliz, Renal Health Nurse and Sylvia
Sunstrum, NMU HR in Garden Hill
Page 6
If we use the photo for commercial use the
subject(s) or parent/guardian need to sign a
photo release form (available from the NMU)
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
2ND QUARTER 2007
Solutions to last issue's puzzles
"Give me a good
canoe, a pair of Jibway
snowshoes, my beaver,
my family and ten
thousand square miles
of wilderness and I am
happy.” Archie Belaney
(Grey Owl)
Archie Belaney (Grey
Owl)
Recipe
Enjoy mother-nature’s northern Canadian timehonoured recipe
By Kate Porter, from Canadian Geographic
This rustic northern dish will impress guests with
its sheer size and versatility. Ingredients and
measurements will vary by region, but the casserole
will always have a strong flavour of spruce and pine.
Serve cold.
Ingredients:
• coniferous trees (white
and black spruce,
jackpine or lodgepole
pine, balsam fir,
tamarack)
• moose
• woodland caribou
• marten
• snowshoe hare
• red squirrel
• shrubs (blueberry,
orchids)
• ruffed grouse
• spruce grouse
• broad-leafed deciduous
trees (birch, poplar,
aspen, willow)
• lynx
• black bear
• wolverine
• red-backed vole
• boreal chiblack-capped
• chickadeeckadee
• great gray owl
• great horned owl
• boreal owl
• hawk owl
Optional:
• Canada goose
• great blue heron
Advanced Cardiac Life
Support Providers Course
The Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Providers Course (ACLS) is offered Dec
1-2 at Seven Oaks General Hospital.
Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification
within one year is mandatory. For
information please call Lillian Hall at
339-0507 or [email protected]
Method:
Boreal Life Casserole
• lichens
the caribou heard
VOLUME 5, NO. 2
• common loon
• warblers
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication
Floral base:
Line bottom of belt-shaped dish with lichens, grasses
and mosses to form a carpet-like layer. Add shrubs.
In a separate bowl, mix spruce, pine and balsam fir.
Drop clumps of this coniferous mixture on northern
half of dish, leaving open spaces. To remaining
mixture, add generous spoonfuls of broad-leafed
trees, but make sure to keep texture predominantly
coniferous. Spread mixed-wood blend evenly on
southern half of dish. Sprinkle stands of tamarack in
marshy areas across pan.
Faunal layer:
Spoon clusters of the following ingredients onto
forest base: caribou, snowshoe hare, red-backed
vole. Depending on the season, place the other
mammalian ingredients one piece at a time: Lynx,
black bear, moose, red squirrel, red-backed vole,
wolverine. Wolverine is a difficult ingredient to find,
but when available it adds to the biodiversity of
the recipe. Sprinkle millions of grouse, owls and
chickadees evenly over tree mixture.
Topping (optional):
In spring, many birds will be available to nest in
boreal dish, including great blue heron, Canada
goose, common loon and warblers. Sprinkle
generously. Dozens of other migrating bird species
can also be used to add variety to the presentation of
the casserole.
Refrigerate at an average 11 to 15oC in summer,
or freeze at average - 20 to -15oC in winter. Dish
will never fully set. Trees will grow in pure stands,
fires and insect outbreaks will destroy large patches
and then cause them to regenerate, and wildlife
populations will fluctuate, only to add flavour to the
dish. Enjoy!
Page 7
the caribou heard
Announcements
Debbie Lemkey, NMU Receptionist left the NMU
in late September to take a position at Cancer Care
Manitoba. We will miss her cheerful face around here
and wish her all the best of luck in her new position.
Iryna Tsybukh is the NMU's new receptionist.
Having been born and raised in the Western Ukraine,
she enjoys painting Pysanky (Easter Egg Painting)
and embroidery, speaks and writes many languages,
and likes to translate literature and documents.
Iryna graduated from the U of M and worked in the
Department of Sociology at Fort Garry campus before
her position with the NMU. Welcome Iryna.
Dorothy Parker, the NMU's lightening quick medical
transcriptionist since 1990, has decided to take an
early retirement. Dorothy was born and raised in
Scotland, immigrating to Canada with her parents in
the late 60's. She
graduated from
Grace Hospital
as an RN in 1973
and subsequently
completed a
medical secretarial
course in 1984.
Although she is
retiring from the
Dorothy Parker, when she first
U of M she plans on
started at the NMU in 1990.
turning her love of
gardening into employment with one of the Garden
Centres. We will certainly miss her (as will the office
plants she takes of), but are thrilled for her to be
pursuing something she loves doing. Guid Luck
Dorothy and Tiaraidh an dràsda.
Lori Thiessen, Specialists Travel Co-ordinator
NMU Website
Have you visited the Northern Medical Unit
website? Our URL is:
http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/medicine/units/
northern_medical_unit/index.php
The website has information about Northern
Medical Unit programs, areas served, job
postings, links to current and archived
newsletters, forms, and practice guidelines.
Page 8
2ND QUARTER 2007
VOLUME 5, NO. 2
is a first time grandmother to Liam Ethan.
Congratulations Lori and family. We are sure this little
guy will be pampered by his grandma.
Earlier this year Grace Spence of the Inuit Program
and Michelle Vandenbroek, Recruitment Coordinator became grandmothers again, Faith for
Grace and Janelle for Michelle.
The Northern Medical Unit hosted the “Assessment
and Management of Diabetic Foot Complications”
workshop as part of the National Family Medicine
Forum in Winnipeg on Saturday, 13 October 2007.
The workshop was coordinated by Stephanie Piper
and Nichole Riese, and was presented by Stephanie
Piper (Diabetic Foot Nurse Clinician), Warren Woods
(Orthotist), Dr. Mario Dascal (Orthopedics), Dr. John
Embil (Infectious Diseases), and Dr. Randy Guzman
(Vascular Surgery). 18 family physicians from across
Canada, the United States, and Israel participated in
the hands-on 7 hour MainPro C Workshop.
Wendy Whalley, Manager of the Island Lake
Regional Renal Health Program presented
"Prevention Of Renal Failure In An Aboriginal
Community; A Manitoba Experience" in Vancouver
at the 2007 Canadian Diabetes Association/
Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Professional Conference and Annual Meeting.
On 27 September 2007, Churchill Hospital unveiled a
plaque dedicated to Dr. J.A.Hildes. If someone has
a picture of the plaque could you please send to Julie
at the NMU.
Sandra Toback, Recruitment Co-ordinator for the
Inuit Health Program has moved on to the Dean's
office as Administrative Assistant, Postgraduate
Medical Education. Sandra has been with the NMU
for 8 years. We wish her all the best in her new
position but we will miss her.
the
caribou heard
The Caribou Heard is published by the J. A. Hildes
Northern Medical Unit, A Division of the Department
of Community Health Sciences at the University of
Manitoba
Submissions can be made to Julie Creasey at T162770 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg MB, R3E 0W3,
[email protected]
Phone: 204-789-3510
Fax: 204-774-8919
Opinions expressed on these pages may or may not be
the opinions of the Editors.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit Publication