Who We Are:

The National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) is a national sponsor for the federal Administration on Aging National Minority Aging Organization -Technical Assistance Center that offers culturally competent and linguistically appropriate health promotion and disease prevention strategies for American Indian and Alaska Native Elders that promote positive healthy behaviors that strengthen their capacity to maintain active, independent lifestyles.

Implementation

NICOA and its partner, Hunger Grow Away, Inc., in collaboration with American Indian and Alaska Native community based organizations. (Senior Centers, Diabetes Programs and other Health Promotion Programs) work together to plan and design family and community gardens in addressing the Spiritual, Social, Physical and Mental wellness for Native American Elders.

Goals & Objectives:

The goal of this project is to prevent and control diabetes by maintaining a healthy diet and low impact physical activity through gardening.

The objectives are:

Physical

• Provide information on the health benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Create an interest in gardening and have people grow their own food.
• Promote traditional food in preventing diabetes.
• Promote increase physical activities.

• Establish support services for new gardeners in setting up their Abundant Harvest Gardens.
• Develop community based “Growers’ Circle.”
• Engage and develop relationships with community resources.
• Establish “local” garden coordinators.
• Promote intergenerational activities.

• Develop culturally appropriate diabetes prevention education materials.
• Help Elders understand the principles of a health diet and empower them to achieve it.
• Evaluate the impact of growing your own food.
• Disseminate the project information.

• Develop a spiritual connection with the food that is grown.
• Create “healing gardens” through horticulture therapy.

• Elders will have a healthy diet and remain more active to prevent diabetes.
• Increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Revitalize the family garden.
• Increase intergenerational activities that promote healthy Native communities.

Contact Information

NATIONAL INDIAN COUNCIL ON AGING
Healthy Living for American Indian and Alaska Native Elders
10501 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Suite 210
Albuquerque NM 87111
Phone: 505-292-2001
Fax: 505-292-1922

Alvin Rafelito, Program Director alvin@nicoa.org