Honoring Our Elders; Administration on Aging Title VI Exemplary Programs

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Honoring Our Elders

Administration on Aging Title VI Exemplary Programs

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Blackfeet Tribe. Connie Bremner The Blackfeet Title VI program has expanded beyond the senior center. Under the direction of Connie Bremner, the Eagle Shields Senior Citizen Center Program in Browning, Montana, provides nutrition and support and a new personal care attendants service through their Blackfeet Personal Care Attendant Programs. This Personal Care program is now the third largest in the State of Montana. It employs approximately 75 B 80 attendants. This not only benefits their elders but it also offers employment to a highly depressed area thereby giving back to the community.
Chickasaw Nation, Karen Cook The Chickasaw Nation is one of the original Title VI grantees of the Older Americans Act and is celebrating twenty years of program participation and service to American Indian elders. Through the efforts of Karen Cook, the Tribal Administration understands the importance of this program and provides the main funding for Title VI through Tribally operated business revenues. This has allowed Karen to continue operating seven nutrition sites and outreach to more elders residing in their Tribal jurisdiction.
Choctaw Nation, Oneida Winship The Choctaw Nation is also an original grantee, first receiving funding in 1980. They started with two nutrition sites and under the direction of Oneida Winship have expanded to fifteen sites. Oneida believes strongly in the need to promote socialization and prevent isolation and loneliness among the Indian elders. She advocates strongly for services that allow her elders to gather together.
Fairbanks Native Association, Freda Williams The Fairbanks Native Associations Community Services Department Elder's Program serves the North Star Borough Districts Alaska Native and American Indians. Through Title VI they provide multiple services including intergenerational activities and on-site health related services. Under the direction of their Title VI Director, Freda Williams, they network and coordinate with the North Star Borough School District, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Assisted Living homes and State, local and federal agencies.
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Les Northrup The Fond du Lac Title VI Program consistently has met it service planning goals and continues to expand services to more elders. Les Northrup, Title VI Director of the Fond du Lac Reservation, not only promotes healthy lifestyles for his elders at the Senior Center but he works on their behalf beyond their four walls. Les coordinates efforts as a representative on the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging and as a member on the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission and Board of Directors. He is also planning to participate with the Carlton Area Agency on Aging to further advocate and assist his elders.
Muckelshoot Tribe, Tammy Byars The Muckelshoot Title VI program expands services available to elders by coordinating with numerous state and local programs. For example, emergency food vouchers are provided to their elders in need through funding for the State of Washington Community Service Program. Through coordination with the Veterans Administration, a counselor visits the Senior Program monthly to provide assistance to their elders who need help in receiving benefits. Tammy Byers, Director of the Muckelshoot Senior Citizens Program, feels strongly that one should advocate for our elders.
Pit River Health, Dale Helton The Pit River Title VI program strives to make a difference in their population by helping people live longer, healthier lives. The program provides a variety of services, such as anger and grief workshops, traditional language classes and classes on healthy preparation of traditional meals. Dale Helton of the Pit River Tribe believes we are here to honor our elders and fight for their rights
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Theresa LaPoint A major goal of the Sault Ste. Marie Title VI Program is to improve the quality of life for Tribal elders. The program provides services to respond to locally identified needs. Through the efforts of Theresa La Point in identifying these needs, the Tribal Board of Directors allocated Tribal support dollars for an Elder Care service Program. Through this program, staff go into the homes of seniors to assist them with a variety of service. Referrals from this program has doubled the number of people receiving home-delivered meals.
White Mountain Apache, Clementine Potter White Mountain Apache Tribal elders are active advocates for their program and were instrumental in having their senior center renovated. The new building is a little over 3 years old and houses senior services along with social services, allowing for greater coordination and easier access to programs for the elders. Under the direction of Clementine Potter, Title VI Director, in order to support the elders so they may remain as independent as possible in their homes no one is refused services from the tribe.
Zuni Pueblo, Margaret Dosedo Limited funding sources and remote locations for access to trained health professionals and para-professionals make it difficult to sustain adult day care services on American Indian reservations. However, in Zuni, NM, Margaret Dosedo, Director of the Zuni Senior Citizens Center, worked long and hard to open an adult day care center in the Pueblo. Given that the elderly poverty rate in the Pueblo of Zuni is 85% this program is providing a vital service by allowing Zuni elders to continue living at home and enabling their families to uphold their belief that their elders should not be put in a nursing home.

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For further information about the Tiltle VI program, contact: Dr. Yvonne Jackson, yvonne.jackson@aoa.hhs.gov
Hypertext by Saadia Greenberg