Thunder Bay, ON – The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) Indigenous Diabetes Awareness and Education Program is pleased to announce the 2022 Mocc Walk (May 1 – June 30). The Mocc Walk is an inclusive healthy exercise initiative that calls on Indigenous women and their families to get active, get fit and have fun while promoting a healthy lifestyle and diabetes awareness.
The Mocc Walk is open to Indigenous community members of all ages and abilities in the province of Ontario. Exercise includes anything that gets your heart pumping. Walking, running, chair exercises, gardening, and pow wow dancing are a few examples of ways to build minutes.
ONWA recognizes that Indigenous people are faced with an increased chance of developing Type 2 diabetes and are being diagnosed with diabetes at earlier ages (Source: diabetes.ca). Exercise is a great way to prevent or manage diabetes and its complications. It makes us stronger, reduces stress, gives us energy, and boosts our mood.
This year there are a few different ways to participate:
1. Visit www.onwa.ca/moccwalk and register today! You can register at any point during this promotion.
2. Each week between May 1 and June 30, 2022, record your minutes exercised and submit each week at www.onwa.ca/moccwalk.
3. Follow ONWA’s social media for an update on Weekly Challenges, each week submit your entry for a chance to win prizes.
4. Are you a teacher looking to encourage youth exercise and diabetes awareness in your classroom? Participate in the Classroom Challenge by emailing sanderson@onwa.ca.
5. Are you looking to reduce the impact of smoking in your life? If you smoke and are thinking of reducing or quitting, join our Smoking Cessation Challenge. Smoking reduction and cessation can reduce your chance of developing diabetes. Record your progress using our Smoking Cessation Journal and submit at the end of the Mocc Walk to be entered into a draw to win prizes. (In partnership with the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) Indigenous Cohort upcoming Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) on smoking cessation.)
Last year, we heard many encouraging success stories from almost 1,500 community members who Mocc Walked 1,206,539 minutes. This year, join our virtual community across Ontario as they honour their bodies through exercise! Be a Mocc Star in your community and encourage your family, friends, or co-workers to families to get active, get fit and have fun!
To register, Mocc Walk your way to www.onwa.ca/moccwalk and click on the link to register.
For more information:
Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager
Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)
Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca
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