By Dana Hudspeth, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office

Colt Digby and other staff members of the Chickasaw Nation Boys and Girls Club of Sulphur recently participated in a three-day national training to help students discover the path to a healthy lifestyle.

Training will enable staff to implement the On the T.R.A.I.L. (Together Raising Awareness for Indian Life) to Diabetes Prevention program at the Sulphur club.

Digby said the students draw from tribal traditions and history to learn about nutrition, food choices and the impact of diabetes.

“Throughout the program, self-esteem, prevention activities, community and family involvement is encouraged.  The students who are going through the program are very motivated and love to interact about what we have learned as a group,” Digby said.

They also learn to apply decision making and goal setting skills.  Students also engage in service projects to improve healthy lifestyles in their communities.

T.R.A.I.L. is aimed at reducing the onset of diabetes among Native American youth though a combination of physical, educational and nutritional activities that promotes a healthy lifestyle.

The 12-week national diabetes prevention program is offered at the Chickasaw Nation Boys and Girls Club of Sulphur.

The Chickasaw Nation Boys and Girls Club of Sulphur is one of 40 grant recipients to participate in the T.R.A.I.L. initiative, which is made possible through a partnership of Indian Health Service, National Congress of American Indians, Boys and Girls Club of America and Nike, Inc.