Manitoba Métis Heritage Fund Partnering with Diabetes Canada for Heartbeat of the Nation Gala

January 17, 2020

Winnipeg, MB - Today, the Manitoba Métis Heritage Fund (MMHF) and the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) announced their partnership with Diabetes Canada for its 2020 Gala, "Heartbeat of the Nation."

"We're very pleased to partner with Diabetes Canada," said Denise Thomas, Chair, MMHF. "Metis Citizens are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than the general population of Canada, less likely to receive specialized care and more likely to be hospitalized because of their disease. This donation will help fund diabetes research for all Canadians and support health care for our Nation and the country at large."

"Rates of diabetes among Indigenous people living in Canada are three-five times higher than those for the non-Indigenous population and are associated with a number of factors, including lack of access to healthy, affordable food, genetic susceptibility, and historic-political and psychosocial factors which stem from the history of colonization and residential schools that severely undermined Indigenous values, culture, and spiritual practices," said Andrea Kwasnicki, Regional Director for Manitoba & Nunavut for Diabetes Canada. "Our hope is through our partnership and working together, we will enhance the lives of the Indigenous community."

"Heartbeat of the Nation" will take place on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Fort Garry.

From the applications received during the request for proposal period, Diabetes Canada was selected based on the epidemic proportions the disease has reached. The development of a New Prevention Program that empowers individuals to lead a healthier life and reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes is a win-win for all Manitobans.

Sponsorship information for the Gala is now available on the MMF website mmf.mb.ca or by e-mailing mmhf@mmf.mb.ca.

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Believe in Yourself; Believe in Métis.

About the Manitoba Métis Heritage Fund

The Manitoba Métis Heritage Fund (MMHF) is the charitable organization of the Manitoba Métis Federation. In its 4th year, the MMHF has been able to raise support for The Children's Hospital Foundation, Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation and the Youth BIOlab Jeunesse through the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation.

About Diabetes Canada

Diabetes Canada is the registered national charitable organization that is making the invisible epidemic of diabetes visible and urgent. Diabetes Canada partners with Canadians to End Diabetes through:

• Resources for health care professionals on best practices to care for people with diabetes;
• Advocacy to governments, schools and workplaces; and
• Funding world-leading Canadian research to improve treatments and find a cure.

For more information, visit diabetes.ca or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).

For media information, please contact:

Al Foster
Director - Communications
Manitoba Metis Federation
Office: (204) 586-8474 x324
Cell: (204) 806-4752
Email: al.foster@mmf.mb.ca
www.mmf.mb.ca

Pilar Iglesias
National Communications Manager
Diabetes Canada
pilar.iglesias@diabetes.ca
416-408-7114
diabetes.ca

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