“Famine in the midst of plenty” is a phrase often used to describe diabetes. This disease has become so widespread and so “important in its health complications that November 14 was declared World Diabetes Day” (Blumer, Rubin, 2009). One of the most common forms of diabetes is type 2 diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. According to statistics, more than nine million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes. Although diabetes has become prevalent in all communities across Canada, the problem has reached epidemic levels among Indigenous peoples (Blumer, Rubin, 2009). They have a rate three to five times higher than that of other Canadians (Health Canada). When it comes to high risk factors such as obesity, low levels of physical activity and unhealthy eating habits among Aboriginal people, diabetes is a very big concern. First, obese people are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. About 200 years ago, before their first encounter with Europeans, Aboriginal people led a simple and healthy lifestyle. They lived nomadically, eating “seasonal foods native to Canada” (Rosenthal, 2009). Their immune system has built a protective mechanism capable of adapting to an inconsistent food supply, such that they use carbohydrates very metabolically efficiently (Blumer, Rubin, 2009). This mechanism is called “the thrifty gene”. Unfortunately, after adopting a diet high in calories and saturated fat, they began to accumulate the extra calories as fat, which leads to obesity. Additionally, traditional foods such as "wild game, fish, root vegetables, fruits, whale meat, and blubber" have become unavailable over the years due to water pollution (Rosenthal , 2009). In addition, their healthy diet has been replaced by ...... middle of paper ...... professionals are trying to "marry the West and the North" (Rosenthal, 2009) by trying to adapt the diet food and activities to the Aboriginal cultural environment. communities.In conclusion, even if the rate of diabetes is very high throughout Canada, Aboriginal people are more in danger due to their lifestyle. There is evidence that diabetes can lead to long-term complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, etc. The best way to avoid these diseases is to prevent diabetes by combating risk factors through education. Perhaps if the programs were better adapted to indigenous tradition and culture, the effect would be evident. Fortunately, the gap created between the West and the North due to cultural and language barriers is slowly starting to close. It is estimated that the rate of diabetes could decrease in the future among Aboriginal people..