//life style

Image curtisy of Thinkstock.com Image curtisy of Thinkstock.com Native American tride elder in ceremonail dress.
by: james rosenquist

Its even utilized in the professional wrestling matches on television. Yet their importance and effects far outweigh their varied, even somewhat limited numbers. They are more than worth their weight in gold. The Native Canadians and First Nations of northern Canada have ongoing and serious logistical problems of food, nutrition as well as basic sanitation and sewage services. Modern transportation such as cargo air planes and winter ice roads do help to some degree, but to the greatest extent the northern communities and most seriously the smaller more isolated ones suffer ongoing desperation.

Native mother and daughter that continue their native life stlye.

Navajo leaders fight back

Of the total Native American or Canadian First Nations Canada wide total count, it is estimated that broadly 40,000 fit into the category of senior age, many of them respected elders in their communities , wise beyond their years in numbers in terms of age ,experience and expertise. Most of them live in the province of Ontario, followed by British Columbia, and Manitoba. When it comes to the percentage of Aboriginal Seniors in the total senior population, the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan lead among the Canadian provinces with four percent and three percent respectively of total population. Even though low in percentages and total numbers, Canadian Aboriginal seniors will increase in both numbers and percentages over the coming years as life expectancy improves. No doubt about it. Without the efforts of the matriarchs, patriarchs and even what might be termed golden ancients - all might be washed down the well of time and tradition of these First Nations Peoples of Canadaand residential schools were among the many obstacles as well. 3

n interesting case that often Europeans are most enamored with Canadian Aboriginals, First Nations people, or in old and less respected terminology Indians or American Indians. To them these first people of the Americas represent the esteemed and historic British poet William Blakes very concept itself of innocent lost. Yet in times and millennial who is entrusted and supportive of the very processes of continuing and of preservation of Native American values, ways and traditions? When it comes to the percentage of Aboriginal Seniors in the total senior population, the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan lead the rest of Canada.

Cloaks and Daggers

In First Nations and Metis communities it is the elder members who hold a most treasured, unique and vintage role; according to Shawn Wilson, one who conducted research in the role of aboriginal elders in their communities. An aboriginal elder is one who has knowledge in the cultures and traditions of his people and is willing to share that knowledge by passing it on to younger generations through the teaching correct behavior. There is no doubt about. Its the senior and more established members of Aboriginal, First Nations or Canadian North American Indian who are the
Issue 1 2012 www.nativemag.com

Image curtisy of Thinkstock.com Native Youth who believes in branching from his culture.

stalwarts and solid foundations of their communities. After all, many lived through and persisted in spite of hardships such as the Residential SchoolsYet their importance and effects far outweigh their varied, even somewhat limited numbers. Yet their importance and effects overall far outweigh their varied methods.

Shielding the Tride

No doubt about it - the wisdom of the ages lies in the faces of these senior citizens, the stalwarts of their peoples. The fore-bearers of what is important in the culture mores of Aboriginal Canadians are enshrined in the first born and ancestral teachings. They convey a spiritual continu-

Lone Ranger Generation

"

...many lived through and persisted in spite of hardships...

ity of the past, present and future cultural framework of the traditions of people.

The Report
It all began with an undertaking, that strove onwards, initiated firstly with officialdom counting the general population, for its records, in the year of 2001. The government Stats Canada Report which used data from the official Canadian Government Census looked at the wellness of people aged 65 and over across Canada. The report contained a section which explicitly focused on Canadian Aboriginal Seniors from provinces with significant populutaions centers. Most young First Nations peoples have forsaken their treasured languages of their origin. Elders maintain a watershed of these spoken - and even written forms of communication. English is prevalent. Its everywhere - on the radio, in the marketplace, on satellite TV and movies.
Issue 1 2012 www.nativemag.com