by Peter Twitchell
I am a member of an Elders Group who gathers together once a month to discuss issues relevant to support each other and explore affordable housing and services which would also be valuable to helping the younger generation to find affordable housing, and to look at housing for the Elderly at good locations.
Each one of us are connected to each other and receive notifications of where food giveaways are occurring such as turkey giveaways, herring egg giveaways, and salmon giveaways in the area. We let each other know where the best berry picking spots are for salmonberries, blackberries, blueberries, and cranberries.
Once a month we invite a health professional to talk about living a healthier lifestyle. It could be a topic like bottled water vs. tap water and a Brita filter, or exercise to help sustain a healthier lifestyle.
Once a year we initiate a gathering of natives to have dinner, kids games, and dances following the feed, and cakewalk.
We encourage people to share a dish of their choosing. I’ve had whale blubber from up north, akutaq, dried salmon fish, cranberry jam – delicious in October before we get into the cold winter months.
I really appreciate it when Elders share/sell their berry preserves with others, like me for instance. These make good gifts come Christmas.
Wherever you live your tribe can support, even sponsor your efforts as an Elder to improve life in your community. It is not a waste of time. It gives Elders a real purpose and a place in their communities to be the voice of the ancients, and current day concerns for a community.
Remember the western saying, as Elders these are your “Golden Years”. Who but Elders can lead as a team, and leaders they have always been.
The bright and younger generation who hunger to find their place in this complicated world will benefit from Elder wisdom and leadership. Many of our teenagers are on the right track to become future leaders.
