A Diabetes Peer Mentorship Program for First Nations Youth and Young Adults: An Intervention Protocol
Dublin Core
Title
A Diabetes Peer Mentorship Program for First Nations Youth and Young Adults: An Intervention Protocol
Subject
Indigenous peoples
Electronic Resource Item Type Metadata
Journal Name
Canadian Journal of Diabetes
Volume
Vol. 49
Issue
No. 8
Publication Date
2025
Publisher
Canadian Diabetes Association
Document Type
Research paper
Language
English, French
ISBN
23523840
Region
Canada
Access
Restricted Access
View Source
Abstract
The rising incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) among Indigenous peoples, exacerbated by
historic injustices and health inequities, underscores the need for culturally sensitive health interventions that address both the physiological and psychological burdens of diabetes. This research protocol
describes a community-driven initiative aimed at enhancing diabetes management among Indigenous
youth and young adults in Canada, leveraging the lived experience and leadership of Indigenous young
adults. This project seeks to integrate traditional Indigenous practices with modern health strategies to
foster better health outcomes and psychosocial support through peer mentorship.
Methods: The program, developed and led by an Eeyou Istchee Cree community member, involves
various health-promoting activities, including dietary guidance, physical exercise, and traditional landbased practices. These activities are designed to improve self-management of diabetes and to address
diabetes distress, a significant factor in diabetes care.
Results: Anticipated outcomes include improved psychosocial factors (reduced distress and enhanced
resilience) and clinical measures of diabetes management (glycemia, body mass index, and blood pressure).
The project’s methodology combines quantitative assessments of psychological and health outcomes with
qualitative feedback from participants, captured through innovative methods like Photovoice to ensure
participants’ voices and experiences directly inform the intervention’s efficacy and adaptability.
Conclusions: Overall, this protocol outlines a framework for a scalable, sustainable model of health
intervention that respects and revitalizes Indigenous cultural practices and community autonomy. The
expected results aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of peer-led and culturally informed interventions
in improving psychological and health outcomes, with the potential to guide similar initiatives in other
Indigenous and marginalized communities worldwide.
historic injustices and health inequities, underscores the need for culturally sensitive health interventions that address both the physiological and psychological burdens of diabetes. This research protocol
describes a community-driven initiative aimed at enhancing diabetes management among Indigenous
youth and young adults in Canada, leveraging the lived experience and leadership of Indigenous young
adults. This project seeks to integrate traditional Indigenous practices with modern health strategies to
foster better health outcomes and psychosocial support through peer mentorship.
Methods: The program, developed and led by an Eeyou Istchee Cree community member, involves
various health-promoting activities, including dietary guidance, physical exercise, and traditional landbased practices. These activities are designed to improve self-management of diabetes and to address
diabetes distress, a significant factor in diabetes care.
Results: Anticipated outcomes include improved psychosocial factors (reduced distress and enhanced
resilience) and clinical measures of diabetes management (glycemia, body mass index, and blood pressure).
The project’s methodology combines quantitative assessments of psychological and health outcomes with
qualitative feedback from participants, captured through innovative methods like Photovoice to ensure
participants’ voices and experiences directly inform the intervention’s efficacy and adaptability.
Conclusions: Overall, this protocol outlines a framework for a scalable, sustainable model of health
intervention that respects and revitalizes Indigenous cultural practices and community autonomy. The
expected results aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of peer-led and culturally informed interventions
in improving psychological and health outcomes, with the potential to guide similar initiatives in other
Indigenous and marginalized communities worldwide.
Cataloger
Jessica Alston
Collection
Citation
“A Diabetes Peer Mentorship Program for First Nations Youth and Young Adults: An Intervention Protocol,” ICMGLT Digital Library, accessed November 3, 2026, https://library.icmglt.org/items/show/727.