T-R PHOTOS BY VANESSA ROUDABUSH Meskwaki community members of all ages gathered to support diabetes awareness on Thursday, Dec. 29.

TAMA — Wrapping up the holidays on Dec. 29, the Meskwaki Diabetes Program held an Ugly Sweater Holiday Walk at the Tribal Center.

While the event was postponed for a week due to winter weather, Thursday night set out to be the perfect night for community members to gather and strut their ugliest of sweaters for a good cause, diabetes awareness.

This late-night stroll was created to help bring awareness to diabetes within the Meskwaki Nation.

The American Diabetes Association estimated an average of 14.5% of indigenous peoples are diagnosed with diabetes each year in the U.S.

The Meskwaki Diabetes Program prides itself in helping community members overcome the daily challenges diabetics face in their everyday life by hosting events such as this Ugly Sweater Holiday Walk, meal planning & cooking lessons, as well as other services from the Meskwaki Wellness Center.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meskwakiwellness.