Entry #2 Indigenous Elders
As I have been researching the topic of aging with a focus on Indigenous Peoples. There are many limitations to this type of research. There is very little available Canadian research on aging Indigenous peoples and the issues they face. The information that I have acquired is often vague and impersonal. Additionally what I have found focuses on deficits and challenges. It is therefore my intentions with this post to step back for a moment and focus on a major strength within these communities, the Elders.
Throughout my time with the faculty of social work I have had many great opportunities to learn about and from Indigenous Peoples. One of my most rewarding and fun opportunities came when I participated in the summer retreat course called Indigenous Ways of Practice in Social work. This was a unique course as we learned from Indigenous Elders by participating in sharing circles, smudging, part of a Sundance, both an Ojibwe and a Cree style of Sweatlodge, as well as a Pipe ceremony. This experience was amazing and I was constantly in awe of the openness and wisdom of the Elders that shared with us. Although the topics we discussed were serious and important there was always the perfect amount of humour and laughter mixed in. Although I will probably share more about this experience in future blogs I wanted to discuss one thing I discovered for myself during this course. Although I recognize that I cannot fully understand the value and worth of Elders to Indigenous people, as I am not an Indigenous person, I believe I caught a glimpse of an amazing piece of culture.
You have probably heard the term “Elder” before, even if you have limited knowledge of or experience with Indigenous peoples. I too have heard this term used many times but, if you are like me, there is a lot of mystery and question as to what exactly is an Elder. If there was one impression left with me after the retreat it would be that I had merely scratched the surface, or just caught a brief glimpse of what is an Elder and the knowledge and understanding that they possess. I felt it necessary however to have some sort of explanation present in this blog, of what and Elder is, as it is a term that is so prevalent throughout the literature that I have found in my research.
Voice of the Elders at abheritage.ca explains that Elders “are members of the Aboriginal community who have gained humble authority by displaying wisdom in life”. Elders are not simply any older Indigenous person but they are often seniors because of the wealth of experience that leads to acquiring such a title (Ellerby, 2006). There are however some individuals who have great wisdom from a young age and may be considered to be Elders sooner (Ellerby, 2006). Ellerby (2006) states “An Elder is not just somebody who just gets old…, It’s usually somebody who is an example. They usually are people who have overcome a lot in their lives… It’s somebody who is respected in the community and it’s not somebody who just decides to get the title on that day”(p.7). Elders have wisdom and understanding that they pass on to the next generations and so they often take on the role of teachers, spiritual counselors, healers, conducting ceremonies, social welfare work, political advocacy and much more (Voices of the Elders)(Ellerby, p.11, 2006). Elders will take on different roles based on their personalities and gifts as well as what opportunities life brings about (Ellerby, p.14, 2006). Being an Elder requires humility and selflessness as their role is one of lifelong helping (Ellerby, 2006). Many Elders are even too humble to call themselves Elders (Ellerby, 2006). They would consider themselves as “mediators of healing” rather than the “source” of healing (Ellerby, p.10, 2006). When looking at the role of Elders it is important to recognize that they are motivated by relationship to their spirituality and a “profound calling” to help others rather than looking for the status of career or income (Ellerby, p.11, 2006). Elders have been the strength of their communities throughout history; Voices of the Elders explains that it was the Elders who fought to keep their culture and traditions alive when faced with hostility.
It is evident, even through this brief explanation of what is an Elder, that these individuals are a unique group that has specialized and extensive knowledge. Ellerby (2006) explains that learning about one traditional medicine can take years of study to learn about how its picked and prepared, the meanings behind it and how it is used in various ceremonies and many more aspects (p.20). This type of knowledge is very different from the Western view and this can present conflict when working with Elders (Ellerby, 2006).
Couture (1996) describes some current issues for Indigenous Elders, one of which is the ratio of Elders to those who are seeking traditional teachings. There is a strain on Elders at present to pass on their knowledge to the next generation because there is a limited amount of Elders actually available (Couture, 1996). This article in particular is extremely helpful in understanding the history and current issues facing Indigenous Elders, though you may have to read it a few times.
It is obvious to me, through both my study and my experience, that Elders are amazing assets to Indigenous communities. I would also like to recognize that I am a non-Indigenous person and I have not directly received this information from an Indigenous Elder so there are parts of this entry that I may have misunderstood from what I have read. I encourage you to visit the Voices of the Elders website and to the Four Directions Teachings website, these two websites have been set up by Indigenous people and are more equipped to explain further these concepts. As well these websites have been very helpful to me in understanding the traditional beliefs of Indigenous peoples in generally and specifically in regard to their Elders.
Meagan
Couture, J. E. (1996). The role of Native Elders: Emergent issues. In D. A. Long & O. P. Dickason (Eds.) Visions of the heart: Canadian Aboriginal issues (pp. 41-56). Toronto: Harcourt Brace.
Ellerby, J. H. (2006) Working with indigenous elders. Winnipeg, MB. Aboriginal Issues Press, University of Manitoba.
Four Directions Teachings.com – Aboriginal Online Teachings and Resource Centre (2006)
Knowledge Keepers. (2005). Retrieved January 20, 2011 from Elders’ Voices website. http://www.abheritage.ca/eldersvoices/peoples/knowledge_keepers.html
Meghan,
ReplyDeleteI have had taken some Aboriginal focused courses since being here at University and I have found that there is not a lot of resources on aging as well. This can be frustrating and disappointing. However, I have wonder if the real reason is that the only research that is usually done on Aboriginal people is in regards to financial or health impacts on the Federal government. Or another possibility Aboriginal group would rather share it with a person, give them some insight to what they are participating in and not just something they are going to publish what has been witnessed but rather take it as a part of a personal journey.
I too was with you at the summer retreat, and the Elders that we meet were quite diverse and very open. They were all filled with a sense of peace and you truly could feel or sense their spirits. All of them had something to teach us and with no agenda or deadline. What I found most amazing about the Elders was that it was not explicit learning for each individual for example the way we learn biology in a text book nevertheless what you have felt you needed to learn as a person from them is what you took away.
I remember all of the Elders stating the fear that they all shared was they were running out of time. They had so much responsibility to their communities and others to teach the all they knew about being Indigenous and their ways of practice, and if Elders were not here to pass it on to their children and grandchildren who would teach them there ways of being. I hope more people get to spend time with Elders who are caring and insightful. I truly felt like a gift was given to all of us on that retreat and for me it was to see each person’s spirit some may call it a soul and value that as precious. If we do our world will be a much better place for all of the population.
Thank you Meg for reminding me! Veronica
Meagan’s Post
ReplyDeleteMeagan, what a well written blog post! I really appreciate your approach to your writing, and how you share related personal experiences. It really helps my understanding and application of the literature to my experiences as well. Although I did not attend the same course as you and Veronica, from the other related workshops that I have attended, I can only imagine what a profound experience it would have been!
Although I am not Aboriginal, I grew up with many Métis and Aboriginal family members and friends. While I was always very aware of their diverse cultural practices and beliefs, the idea of an elder always seemed surreal and almost fantasy-like to me. In my younger mind, the elder seemed like an all powerful, and all knowing person that held much respect from the community. Presently, my professional and personal experiences and interactions with Aboriginal Elders have only contributed to my admiration for these people. Every single interaction that I have had with Aboriginal elders has truly impacted me as a social worker, and also as a person. It’s difficult to express all that I have learnt from elders, even to my close friends and family. Sometimes I feel as though only others who have shared these experiences can truly understand the profound impact that elders have. To add to a quote from your blog “Elders are amazing assets to indigenous communities,” and also to all people who are willing to listen.
Thanks again Meagan!
-Alison
Meagan, I really appreciated your article in which you attempted to clearly define the difference between and "Elder" and an "Older Person". I find that in everyday language the terms have become interchangealbe, but your article really helped to clarify the role of an Elder in their community.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading your article I gained a clearer definition of the role of an Elder. What really touched me was the respectful way in which you shared how Elders percieve themselves. To quote you, "Being an Elder requires humility and selflessness as their role is one of lifelong helping (Ellerby, 2006). Many Elders are even too humble to call themselves Elders (Ellerby, 2006)".
When I think about the great people of history, such as Mother Theresa, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, etc I feel so humbled at how they always try to deflect credit from themselves. When you commented that Elder's see healing as a deep service to the community I was very inspired that these people of great wisdom desire only to pass on their wisdom for the betterment of all.
As a social worker, how can I help others humbly? How do I not let the title of "social worker" detract from the main purpose of my job...which is really to serve others. This post really helped me to re-evaluate my original goals for entering into the faculty, and has helped me to see that the title of "social worker" is something ascribed to me, because of the number of courses I have taken. But to be a "helper" is a life long journey, which anybody can embark on. I hope to grow in my understanding of the role of Elders in Aboriginal communities, and that through their humble example, I can learn more about what it means to help others.
-Michelle
Meagan, I really enjoyed reading your blog on Indigenous Elders. The information that you provided about the Elders and Indigenous beliefs, was very educational. It has given me the opportunity to learn about how important Indigenous Elders are to Indigenous Communities, the healing they provide and the many different roles they play. I have attended sweats and smudges in the past and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to receive my spirit name by a Elder in a name ceremony a few years back. The whole experience of just being in a smudge run by Elders, hearing their teachings and the wisdom they have provided me with has been a life changing experience for me. The ceremonies that Elders have performed in my life have allowed me to recognize who I really am as an Indigenous women. By attending ceremonies and the honor that I have had of meeting elders has allowed me to gain more confidence in myself and respect for Indigenous Elders. Indigenous Elders have given me balance in my life emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. I thank-you so much for writing this blog and for the information you have provided for students, teachers and other readers about Indigenous Elders.
ReplyDelete-Arlene
I found this blog to be very interesting as it has close links to the work I am doing in my practicum. One of the most important points that I found in this blog was the precise definition of the concept of an elder; that is, the concept that not all old people are elders, but that "elderhood" is something that comes with wisdom. I think that this is a subtlety that is often lost on the modern generation.
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that we often consider the concept of "the elder" to be a very Aboriginal idea, I think it is important to remember that a very similar idea was historically important in many Western cultures, as well - though often less formalized than in the Indigenous context. The Ancient Greeks, for example, had a "council of elders", the Roman "senate" is based on the word for "old man", and even in Canada, the minimum age for a senator is still 30 (back in 1867 the life expectancy in this country was less than 50). In our culture, there has been a movement away from the association of age with wisdom. I suspect that one main reason for this has been that as we moved from small groups to large groups (for example, with urbanization) it became increasingly difficult for a young person to know who qualified as an "elder" and who was simply an old person. Our modern society copes with this uncertainty of many qualifications by formalizing them using things like university degrees, military ranks, or even drivers licenses. We do not have, however, a "certificate of wisdom", and so many young people are left with little guidance as to who to turn to. Centuries ago, we perhaps had more confidence that the average person of 60 was likely to have achieved more wisdom than the average 16 year-old and so in general gave seniors the benefit of the doubt and assumed them to be generally wise. Modern society, however, is no longer so certain of this, and many of the youth today seem to have lost much of the respect they once had for "white hair". In my practicum, in which I work with seniors who are addicted to alcohol or drugs, the destruction of the archetype of elderly wisdom is often jarring. Because of my own cultural background in a South American country, I grew up with this presumption of wisdom in the elderly, and seeing on a daily basis seniors who are no longer able to make even basic good decisions for their lives and whose families have been destroyed by their addictions often makes for a very harsh contrast with the "normal order" I was taught growing up.
Hi Meagan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your informative blog post. When I took an Aboriginal Perspective course last term, I experienced several Aboriginal ceremonies, such as sharing circles, a pipe ceremony, smudging, and a sweat lodge. I also attended a Pow-Wow festival at the Forks last summer. These experiences carried a lot of exciting and different senses of a culture. After experiencing, I recognized two things. One is that Aboriginal older adults play very important roles that transmit their cultures to younger generations. Therefore, social workers should take a role to bridge between the older generations and the younger generations in Aboriginal communities. The other is to recognize that there is nothing better than experiencing other cultures. I am sure that a participation in a diverse ceremony helps you to gain more knowledge than from books or research. Eunkyeong
Meagan,
ReplyDeleteGreat entry. I have enjoyed reading the information you gathered regarding Indigenous Elders. What a substantial role they play in communities, homes, and families!
I am aware that the term Elder is used to describe a significant role/responsibility in the Indigenous communities but I still tend to find myself using the term "Elder" in other concepts not relating to Indigenous people.
I am more aware than ever of the term and I am putting much energy to ensure I do not make that mistake again. I truely believe it is very important to respect the culture of all people. You can demonstrate respect by simply using the proper language and terminology. In my own experiences while reading literature on older persons many authors often use the term "elder" or "elderly", I would imagine due to the lack of knowledge. I would hope that the newer research will acknowledge these concepts and begin to demonstrate respect to Indigenous people by recognizing that Elder is a particular role and not an age group.
Melissa
Let me start by saying how jealous I am that you got to take part in the summer retreat course called Indigenous Ways of Practice in Social work. I would have loved to have been part of that kind of experience as I find the workshops I’ve attended on Aboriginal issues have been some of the most fulfilling parts of my practicum experience. Wouldn’t it be amazing if this the cost of this retreat was part of our mandatory curriculum?
ReplyDeleteWhat struck me from your blog was the criteria Aboriginal people use to choose their Elders. They are members of the community who display the qualities of humility, wisdom, generosity of spirit, and selflessness. They are not those with the most money or with the nicest cars or homes. They are not those from the most powerful, well-known families. What a different approach to selecting those in whom a community should entrust power and authority.
Today many in Western societies tend to infantilize older adults and to downplay the validity of their experiences and their wisdom. Instead, Aboriginal culture prizes this wisdom as the glue that keeps their communities together and their culture alive. Admittedly it makes me feel ashamed and frustrated by the culture in which I grew up. I feel this way a lot after participating in activities and learning within the Aboriginal community because I see the richness of their culture and the ways in which their beliefs and values are so interconnected with the earth and with family. It makes me think about the ways in which colonization disconnected Aboriginal people from these parts of their culture and devalued the work and wisdom of Elders.
Recently, I had the opportunity to share in a really special event with an elder who is part of my placement organization. We’ve become good friends and he’s made me feel a lot stronger in who I am as a person, and the gifts I bring to working with people that I never really acknowledge. I think this is one of the most amazing things about my experience in Winnipeg – that ability to be welcomed into Aboriginal community and culture.
-Carrie
When I think about the term elder, I do think about the aboriginal population and how the term elder is infact an older adult, but with being an older adult, one is greatly respected, and often is full of many stories/advice/guidance/spirituality. I often relate this with the kids that I work with and the many aboriginal practices that I have attended with them. It always amazes me that no matter how bad the childs day is, when they are around an elder, they just change into automatic respect for them, and honouring what the elder has to say and practicing some of the teachings they have learnt from the elders. I do believe that elders do play a very curcial role in aboriginal population, and by having spiritual centers where there is aboriginal spirituality involved, I know first hand by seeing the impact that the elders have made on the kids that I work with.
ReplyDelete~Jessica