It urges Cherokees and all of Indian Country to look to its roots for a healthier lifestyle since the diabetes diagnosis rate increased 68 percent for Native American teens aged 15-19 between 1994 and 2004.
“Hopefully we can be the solution to preventing Type II diabetes which runs at a high rate in our tribe by promoting eating more traditional foods and playing our traditional games,” said Studi, known for his movie roles in “Dances with Wolves,” and “The Last of the Mohicans.”
Studi is prominently featured and narrates the message.
“We used to be more active, but some Cherokees today are more into television and video games,” said Sequoyah High School Senior Mahli McNac, who plays stickball and in the commercial. “It’s cool to be part of this message.”
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Wes Studi Encourages Natives to Eat Healthy Foods, Play Traditional Games
Riding a horse in the wide-open plains, renowned Cherokee actor Wes Studi stares into the camera and delivers a message to Indian country: Through eating healthy, traditional foods and being physically active, Natives can prevent obesity and diabetes.
The video, which is available in 30-second and one-minute public service announcement formats and as an eight-minute clip entitled Our Cultures Are Our Source of Health, was created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Diabetes Translation, the Native Diabetes Wellness Program and the Traditional Foods Program’s tribal partners.