Honoring Our Elders BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres Presentation

1. Honoring Our EldersBC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres Presentation

2. Introducing… • Elder Marge White • NAFC Senator, founding member BCAAFC Elders Council • Lisa Mercure BCAAFC Elder Coordinator • Elders Introductions

3. Brief history of the BCAAFC Elders Council • Role of Aboriginal Elders • Ways Elders can be supported • Types of Elders abuse • Preventing abuse of Elders • Recounting Elders stories of abuse • Ways Elders are involved in Friendship Centres Embracing Our Elders Presentation Outline

4. Brief history of the BCAAFC Elders Council • In 2005, the BCAAFC Elders Council was founded by Elders: • Marge White-NAFC Senator, Vancouver • George Cook-BCAAFC Elder Representative, Victoria • Buzz Morrisette, Kamloops • In June 2005, the BCAAFC Elders Council Terms of Reference were accepted by the BCAAFC Provincial Board of Directors. • The BCAAFC is committed to bringing • together all Elders and Youth attending • BCAAFC meetings.

5. Definition of an “Elder” • Aboriginal communities appoint Elders • Not defined by age or the ‘Gold Care Card’ • Every Elder has a gift to share-wisdom…either cultural knowledge and/or a wealth of life experience • Elders include: teachers, advisors, mediators and medicine people • Elders are role models

6. By talking about Elder Abuse… • Communities will become aware • and watch for signs of abuse and • neglect • We will understand how Elder abuse • occurs • We can empower vulnerable Elders Strategy #1: Education

7. Education Bring Elders together to support each other

8. Strategy #2: Empowering Elders • Ask the Elders what they need/want • Engage Elders to participate in a meaningful way • Help Elders reclaim their power • Support Elders to change negative situations • Teach self-protection and assertiveness • Help Elders understand their rights • Elders supporting Elders

9. Empowering Elders Elder Ruth Cook talking to youth Annual BCAAFC Aboriginal Youth Conference

10. Strategy #3: Community Services -Communities provide a range of services that can be adapted to assist vulnerable Elders -all can be trained on how to respond to Elder abuse

11. Who in YOUR community can support Elders? EMPOWERING ELDERS: -Friendship Centres -First Nation Bands -Aboriginal Housing -Métis locals -Elder support workers -Banks -RCMP -Community health reps -Family support workers-social workers -Community Centre -Libraries -Meals on Wheels -Public transit Create an Age-Friendly leadership group that meets regularly

12. Community Support s Vancouver Island Elders Lunches

14. Abuse is the mistreatment of Elders by those in a position of trust, power or responsibility for their care Physical Spiritual Emotional Mental Financial Sexual Neglect Types of Elder Abuse

15. Elder Abuse

16. Physical-signs of bruises • Mental-shaming Elders into feeling unworthy • Emotional-guilting Elders into caring for grandkids • Spiritual-denying Elders access to their religion of choice • Sexual-generational effects ofResidential School • Financial-controlling bank accounts and cashing cheques • Neglect-limited access to community and family Types of Elder Abuse

19. How will your community support Elders • Building a community action plan for Elders • Monthly Luncheons to address different topics • Coordinating Elder services • Encouraging Elders to get involved and use their skills

20. How Elders are involved in Friendship Centres Elder Groups or Councils Monthly Luncheons Elder advisors in programs Elders providing guidance to employees Elder representative on Board of Directors

21. Elders in Friendship Centres Elder Groups or Councils Monthly Luncheons Elder advisors in programs Elders providing guidance to employees Elder representative on Board of Directors

22. Elders involved in BCs Friendship Centres Nature walk-identifying Medicines with a Penticton Elder

23. Thank you… We appreciate your guidance in sharing how we can embrace our Elders