In July 1989, 230 non-insulin-dependent subjects were identified in the James Bay Cree population through medical chart review of physician diagnosed diabetes mellitus cases. Data extracted from the medical files included type and rate of complications, life-style, anthropomorphic and metabolic descriptors as well as clinical care practices. Mean age at diagnosis was 48.3 years and mean duration of illness at time of study was 60.4 months. Furthermore, 77.3% were overweight and 65.4% obese. Microvascular disease (diabetic nephropathy or retinopathy) was the most frequent group of complications (19.6%). Moreover, 76.4% of the Cree diabetics showed poor glycemic control. Diet combined with oral hypoglycemic medication was the current treatment of choice. A medical practice profile was produced in order to provide a comparison basis with recommended baseline care. Diabetes is becoming a major illness in the native population of Canada. Health promotion strategies are of some urgency in order to contribute to the control of diabetes.