Some 900 People Attend Community Wellness Fair in Akwesasne

There was something for everyone at the 2014 Wellness Fair held in the old IGA building on Thursday, July 24. Many departments from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne set up tables with program information, handouts, promotional freebies and bags.

Estimates are that around 900 people attended the fair. "We were expecting 500-600 people, however 729 people signed in for the door prizes and lunch. I saw a lot of people walking by the registration table without signing in so I believe that we had at least 900 people all together," stated Lauren Smith, WIC Coordinator and Nutrition Director as well as a member of the Planning Committee. "Luckily there was enough food but we ran out of insulated bags before noon. The vendors were exhausted but happy with the huge turnout."

Activities were geared toward health and wellness. There was an inflatable obstacle course set up outside for the children while 72 vendors joined forces inside the building to share information about being healthy, keeping pets healthy and being environmentally aware. The Wellness Fair also featured events that provided people an opportunity to save a life. The Red Cross and Be the Match donor registry clinics were very successful. Forty-three people donated blood and 152 people took a mouth swab to see if they are a possible marrow match for two community members battling leukemia, Laurie (Bero) Connors and Shephard LaPage.

The Arrive Tour/Distracted Driving program was a popular attraction. It uses a high-tech, impact video, and a number of other resources to educate about the dangers of drunken driving and texting while driving. The simulator allows participants to experience the potential consequences of drunken and distracted driving in a controlled environment.

Wellness Fair attendees also had an opportunity to experience screenings for risk of diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure. There were samples of healthy smoothies, free pet IDs, ideas on how to make your own toys, raffles for spa packages, camping gear and pet supplies, face painting, information brochures, freebies galore and a whole lot more. The Tribal Police department had free fingerprinting and photo identification kits for children.

A free barbeque lunch was provided for everyone in attendance at the Wellness Fair courtesy of the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino. The Casino Human Resource staff cooked and served the food. Larry Thompson and his staff from the Environment Department provided a fully eco friendly waste system for the event. Red solo cups were collected and given to the Freedom School where they are bought back by the company to help raise funds. The food waste was also collected and given to the Freedom School for compost for the gardens. Plastics are recycled and the rest was taken to the landfill, which was not much.

This was Ms. Smith's first time planning such an event. "I have only been in my WIC position for a year now and this is my first Wellness Fair. I feel that it was very successful. The committee's main goal is to provide education and options that the Tribe and MCA have to offer. A lot of people are coming out and finding out there is help for everyone." WIC Clerk Leigh-Ann Mitchell explained, "People think they are alone but that's not true. There are others and there are people to help. This type of event helps to get that message out."

Members of the 2014 Wellness Fair planning committee are Lauren Smith, Leigh-Ann Mitchell, Leona Barnes, Wente Cole, Tyler Jock, Larry Thompson, Leah Smoke, Mike Cook and Dana Henhawk. This year's Wellness Fair theme was "Health is your greatest wealth." Ms. Mitchell added, "It's your health; you need to take care of it." By the looks of the record turnout this year, the Wellness committee, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Health Services and MCA are getting the message across. Niawen goes out to the committee and all the vendors and programs that participated in this great day!