honoring our elders bc association of aboriginal friendship centres presentation
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Honoring Our Elders BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres Presentation. Introducing…. Elder Marge White NAFC Senator, founding member BCAAFC Elders Council Lisa Mercure BCAAFC Elder Coordinator Elders Introductions. Brief history of the BCAAFC Elders Council - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Honoring Our Elders
BC Association of Aboriginal
Friendship Centres Presentation
Introducing…
Elder Marge WhiteNAFC Senator, founding member BCAAFC Elders Council
Lisa MercureBCAAFC Elder Coordinator
Elders Introductions
Embracing Our Elders Presentation Outline
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
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.
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
Definition of an “Elder”
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
Education
Bring Elders together to support each other
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
Strategy #2: Empowering Elders
Empowering Elders
Elder Ruth Cook talking to youth Annual BCAAFC Aboriginal Youth
Conference
-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
Strategy #3: Community Services
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
Who in YOUR community can support Elders?
Community Support s
Vancouver Island Elders Lunches
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
Elder Abuse
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 of Residential School Financial-controlling bank accounts and cashing cheques
Neglect-limited access to community and family
Types of Elder Abuse
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
How will your community support Elders
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
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
Elders involved in BCs Friendship Centres
Nature walk-identifying Medicines with a Penticton Elder
We appreciate your guidance in sharing how we can embrace our
Elders
Thank you…