On October 2nd, 2006, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe was awarded the annual Spirit of EAGLES Award from the Mayo Clinic for their employee policy in promoting and supporting physical activity. Physical activity has been documented to reduce incidence of heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.

The policy states that employees are given 1/2 hour of time to work out during the work day.

The policy was written by Lois Brown, the Diabetes Fitness Program Director. Dr. Trujillo and Dr. Kaur of the Mayo Clinic presented the award to Lois Brown on October 12th, 2006 at the NIHB Consumer Conference in Denver, Colorado.

The Following is the text of Lois Brown's acceptance speech:

On behalf of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, I'd like to thank the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center for acknowledging our efforts to promote regular physical activity among our Native population. It is shown that regular physical activity decreases incidents of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer. It was brought to my attention that the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe did not have a written policy regarding physical activity for their employees, so I wrote the Leech Lake Fitness Policy, explaining the health benefits of exercise, as well as the possible lower health care costs and better work productivity. The policy states, "In an effort to encourage employees to engage in regular physical activity, LLBO will allow employees up to 30 minutes per day of paid time to exercise, if an employee chooses to do so." This policy has been in place for about six months and at the Leech Lake Diabetes Fitness Center, we have seen a marked increase in employees using the facility regularly, which is something that we are very happy to see! This policy wouldn't exist without the backing and the support of our Health Director, Eli Hunt, and the Leech Lake Tribal council, who took an active approach to this important aspect of health. Once again, thank you for the "Spirit of Eagles" Award, which we are very honored to receive. Mii-gwetch.

Pictured here is Lois Brown, her Spirit of EAGLES Award Statuette, and Eli Hunt, LLBO Health Division Director.

The "Spirit of EAGLES" was initiated in 2000 as one of eighteen NCI/NIH funded Special Populations Networks in the nation. Through the initial project, efforts were implemented to increase cancer awareness among American Indian/Alaska Native Nations and urban communities throughout the nation. The long-term goal is to reduce cancer health disparities by maintaining and expanding tribal and urban community networks and coalitions.

• Click here to read the policy (pdf)
• Click Here to read the problem statement page 1 (pdf)
• Click Here to read the problem statement page 2 (pdf)