Through the Eyes of the Eagle: Illustrating Healthy Living for Children

October 24, 2009 through January 24, 2010
Location: Corning Gallery

For thousands of years, Native Americans have told stories to pass on their history, knowledge and culture to future generations. In the Eagle Books—a series of books with wise animal characters showing children the joy of physical activity, eating healthy foods, and diabetes prevention—a wise eagle is the tribal elder who teaches traditional ways of health that children can remember and retell. The exhibit will feature original watercolors used in these stories, which are authored by Georgia Perez of Nambe Pueblo, and illustrated by Patrick Rolo, Bad River Band of Ojibwe, and Lisa A. Fifield, Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, Black Bear Clan.

While diabetes affects nearly 24 million people in the United States, American Indians and Alaska Natives suffer disproportionately from the disease. Native American adults are twice as likely as their white counterparts to have diabetes. Young people are also familiar with the devastation of the disease. Children often help care for family members with diabetes, and many are at risk themselves. Type 2 diabetes, although relatively rare in children, accounts for 76 percent of cases of diabetes among 10- to 19-year-old Native children. In fact, rates of diabetes among Native people younger than 35 doubled between 1994 and 2004.

Through the Eyes of the Eagle:  Illustrating Healthy Living for Children is organized by the 
● Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
● Division of Diabetes Translation 
● Native Diabetes Wellness Program 
● Global Health Odyssey Museum