The threat to Indian country is not just to health, however. Childhood obesity weakens the fabric of Indian communities, putting the next generation at increased health risk and threatening tribal ways of life. Overweight children are overwhelmingly more likely to be obese as adults, and obesity in adulthood robs the community of active community elders. On average, obese adults live shorter lives and are less able to contribute to leadership roles in their communities. Native communities depend on their younger generations to uphold tribal traditions and culture and to pass their heritage on to the next generation. However, today’s Native youth may not grow to be as old or as active as their elders. Maintaining lasting and vibrant communities in Indian country starts with childhood health. Healthy children are better able to support their communities and to carry on their proud tribal traditions. Having fit, energetic and vibrant communities is the Indian Country way, and by acting now, we can ensure that that tradition continues for generations to come.The transcript of first lady Michelle Obama’s speech in Denver on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Let’s Move! in Indian Country initiative, from the U.S. Department of Interior, is as follows:
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Bureau of Indian Education Summer Learning Institute. It’s hard to believe that it’s been one year since we planted the Three Sisters in the White House garden to help kick off our Lets Move! in Indian Country initiative. Now, this is such an important effort. We know that children in American Indian and Alaskan Native communities experience higher rates of obesity. We know they’re more likely to develop related diseases like Type 2 diabetes than the national averages. But we also know that there are so many people in these communities who want to make a difference for the health of their kids. And that’s what has defined Let’s Move! in Indian Country in our first year. We’ve seen tribal nations develop food policy councils to examine the food habits of their communities; schools have reintroduced lacrosse programs; Native businesses are adding healthy, traditional foods like buffalo meat into school lunches; the Bureau of Indian Education implemented a new health and wellness policy for its schools; and nearly 10,000 people across Indian country earned a Presidential Active Lifestyle Award for getting up and exercising. So we have come a very long way, but we know that there’s more left to do – and that’s where all of you come in. We need your help to get more schools serving healthy foods and finding new ways to get kids to get active. We need more doctors and nurses talking to parents and kids about their nutrition habits. We need more leaders bringing people together from businesses, government, nonprofits and faith groups to create solutions that work for their communities. Because, in the end, that’s really what Let’s Move! is all about. It’s not about what happens in Washington. It’s about people just like all of you, taking action on behalf of your kids, your community and our country. And this first year of Let’s Move! in Indian Country has convinced me again and again that if we keep stepping up, if we keep innovating and getting people involved, then we can give our children the healthy futures they deserve. So thank you all for everything you’ve already done and I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.(Contact Talli Nauman at talli.nauman@gmail.com)
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