Kawerak programs and departments enjoyed a day promoting wellness alongside Norton Sound Health Corporation at this year’s Health Fair. The theme for the fair was “Rooted in Wellness,” and activities centered around aspects of healthy food and healthy choices, even growing healthy edible plants. NSHC invited Pilgrim Hot Springs staff Jeff Collins to offer a presentation on growing microgreens, a source of healthy greens throughout our dark, cold winter months. Collins said that healthy food not only contributes to our own personal health, but also to the health of our community.
“As we already know with the subsistence foods that we take into our bodies, food is our connection to place. When we take control of our own food systems, we not only gain food security, but we also build our community into a healthier, stronger environment for everyone within it. This can be done on the smallest scale with a single plant or an entire farm,” Collins said.
Pilgrim Hot Springs staff Jeff Collins helps a young fair visitor transplant a plant start at NSHC’s Health Fair, “Rooted in Wellness.”
Kawerak’s Environmental Program, Pilgrim Hot Springs, Land Management Services, Child Advocacy Center, Children & Family Services, and Head Start took advantage of the invite from NSHC to attend the Health Fair. Departments occupied tables set up around the perimeter of the Nome Recreation Center during the day-long event. Visitors dropped by throughout the day, including groups from both the Nome Elementary School and Nome-Beltz Middle High School. NSHC offered raffles for visitors, healthy snacks including veggies and hummus, and workshops on starting seeds for a home garden.
Kawerak appreciates the opportunity to join regional and Nome-based organizations in promoting health and wellness for ourselves and our communities!
