By Matt Gleckman

His given name is Dennis Alley, though friends call him "No Toe Otoe" after he lost one of his toes to diabetes, a disease which is becoming more and more prevalent among Native Americans.

Alley, a spiritual leader, singer, dancer and member of the Otoe Tribe of Oklahoma, was invited to speak at the Towaoc recreation center on Nov. 15 as part of the reservation’s first annual diabetes awareness day.

The event began with Alley’s presentation, was followed by a health screening by community health representatives, a diabetes awareness walk that ended at Veteran’s Park with an invocation by tribal chairman Ernest House, a healthy dinner, a mini-pow-wow and closing ceremonies.

"We need to find a medium," said Alley in his motivational speech. "Where once our elders snowshoed from place to place today we use snowmobiles, where they used to chop wood and gather food, today we drive to the store."

Alley also stressed the importance of moderation and self-awareness to his fellow Native Americans.

"We’re only human," he said. "When you see that all-you-can-eat buffet at the casino with all that rich Italian, Mexican, and American food, it’s hard to go up and just get yourself a piece of lettuce. It’s OK to eat; just be sure to eat good foods and balance your meals with exercise.

"Go for a bike ride or a walk and be sure to get your eyes and blood sugar checked regularly. Also it is important to avoid drugs and alcohol. These things are bad for our people," said Alley.

According to the American Diabetes Association’s web page, the disease is characterized by a buildup of glucose in the blood, often attributed to unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.

The report stated that the body’s cells are starved for energy and over time the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart can be damaged, often resulting in a coma or amputation of the extremities.

The ADA also reported that Native Americans are 7 percent more likely than Anglos to develop kidney problems associated with diabetes; men are 50 percent more likely than woman to develop health problems.

"Right now 37 (Ute Mountain Ute) tribal members are afflicted with this disease and every month a new one is diagnosed with it," said diabetes coordinator Rita King.

King said that preparations for the day’s events began earlier this year along with planning for the diabetes pow-wow which will take place in April.

"We wanted to set up a forum so that tribal members could get screened, talk openly about the illness and learn more about it."

"Many of the Ute Mountain Ute tribal members are ashamed to have diabetes and they remain in the closet about it," said Barbara Walsh, a Towaoc community member. "A lot of Ute people are on dialysis and don’t know what to do to improve their situation. I think that hearing a tribal elder talk openly about the disease will help our community to become more open and aware of it."

While the day’s events served as a positive beginning, project director Ken Chester said that there has been talk of developing a wellness/fitness center with exercise bikes, aerobics and treadmills as well as a walking program where participants will monitor their own health.

"We want to continue to provide ongoing screenings as well as improve fitness activities on the reservation in order to better the health of our community members," said Chester.