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Smithsonian opens diabetes exhibit at NMAI

Written by W. Lee Morrow

WASHINGTON – This month the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American
Indian premiered a new exhibit related to educating children about
prevention of diabetes.

The exhibit is titled “Through the Eyes of the Eagle: Illustrating Healthy
Living for Children” and features 65 original watercolor works of art by
Patrick Rolo (Bad River Band of Ojibwe) and Lisa A. Fifield (Oneida Tribe).
These works are featured in the Eagle Books, a series of books for young
people that have been distributed to American Indian communities across the
United States.

The four Eagle Books, “Through the Eyes of the Eagle,” “Knees Lifted High,”
“Plate of Full Color” and “Tricky Treats” were written by Georgia Perez.
The concept for the series was the brainchild of the Center for Disease
Control and the Indian Health Service working in conjunction with
representatives of numerous tribes from across the nation. Through a
traditional Native American story telling approach, the books encourage
children to follow their ancestors’ healthy ways of living: eating
nutritious foods and remaining active.

“We’re excited about the Eagle Books because they make health education fun
for young Native children and everyone interested in healthy living,” said
Dr. Ann Albright of the CDC. “The Eagle Books have been well received in
Indian Country and this partnership with the National Museum of the
American Indian allows us to expand the reach of these critical health
messages.”

According to the CDC, 24 million people in the U.S. are affected by
diabetes. American Indian adults are twice as likely as likely as their
white counterparts to have diabetes. Additionally, rates of diabetes among
American Indians under age 35, doubled from 1994 to 2004.

In September 2004, Smithsonian’s NMAI opened its doors on Washington,
D.C.’s historical National Mall, next door to the world renowned National
Air and Space Museum. The new “Eye’s of the Eagle” exhibit makes a bit of a
turning point for the new museum.

“Never before has the museum featured an exhibit that educates visitors
about current health issues faced by Native American communities,” NMAI
Director Kevin Gover (Pawnee/Comanche) said. “We believe that ‘Through the
Eyes of the Eagle’ will help bring attention to these alarming health
trends.”

The exhibit is scheduled to run until Jan. 4, 2009. In addition to the
NMAI, it is simultaneously being shown at the Smithsonian’s George Gustav
Heye Center in New York City.