By all appearances, Montana's Fort Belknap fits the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) definition of a food desert perfectly. There are no supermarkets on the 1,000-square-mile reservation. Most residents of this Indian reservation, especially those living on the southern end of the reservation, must drive long distances to buy…

The purpose of this study was to investigate and understand the experiences of participants who become champions and succeed in adopting healthy lifestyles. The setting was a health and nutrition educational program at University of Minnesota Extension. The main research questions were: How do participants in the Community Health Education Program…

Recounts the history of tobacco and its use, emphasizing the difference between American Indians' sacred relationship with "sacred" tobacco and the hedonistic use of "secular" tobacco. Recommends reviving the distinction between the two, especially in substance abuse programs. Sidebars discuss the Traditional Native American…

Recounts the author's, and his family's, relationship with tobacco. Identifies tobacco's role in traditional Native American ceremonies as encouraging communication and self-reflection. Describes Tionantati: Native Tobacco People, an intervention program that returns tobacco to its traditional use and eschews recreational use of commercial…

Diabetes among American Indians has become epidemic since World War II, due to dietary changes and a possible genetic predisposition. Innovative community-based programs teach prevention and management of diabetes through exercise, diet, and blood sugar monitoring. Traditional American Indian lifestyles and diets prevented diabetes. Sidebars…