Nurturing the Roots: The Resurgence of Indigenous Elder Care on Turtle Island
On Turtle Island, the term "elder" carries a weight of reverence far beyond chronological age. Elders are the living libraries of Indigenous nations, the keepers of languages, ceremonies, and traditional knowledge. They are the spiritual guides and the heartbeats of their communities. Yet, for generations, the care of these revered individuals has been profoundly impacted by colonial policies, leading to a critical need for culturally appropriate and community-driven elder care programs. This is not merely about healthcare; it is about cultural preservation, spiritual well-being, and the reclamation of self-determination.
The historical trajectory of Indigenous peoples across what is now Canada and the United States has been marked by systemic attempts to dismantle traditional family structures and community bonds. Residential schools, forced relocation, and the Sixties Scoop in Canada, or similar policies in the US, severed generations from their cultural roots, disrupting the natural intergenerational care systems where elders were cherished and supported within their extended families. The result has been a complex web of health disparities, including higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and mental health challenges among Indigenous elders, often compounded by a healthcare system ill-equipped to address their unique cultural, spiritual, and historical trauma needs. Mainstream long-term care facilities, designed with Western models in mind, frequently fail to provide the holistic, culturally sensitive environment essential for Indigenous elders to thrive, often isolating them from their language, traditional foods, ceremonies, and community.
"Our elders carry the stories of who we are, where we come from, and where we are going," explains Dr. Lena Strongarm, a Cree health advocate and researcher based in Treaty 6 territory. "To place them in an environment where their language isn’t spoken, their traditional foods aren’t served, and their spiritual practices are ignored is to deny them their very identity in their most vulnerable years. It’s a continuation of the cultural assimilation they’ve fought against their entire lives."
The profound understanding of elders as knowledge keepers underscores the urgency and unique approach of Indigenous elder care programs emerging across Turtle Island. These initiatives are rooted in the principle that caring for elders is caring for the future – ensuring the transmission of invaluable cultural heritage to younger generations. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), particularly Article 24, which affirms the right of Indigenous peoples to their traditional medicines and to maintain their health practices, and Article 23, affirming their right to determine and develop priorities for their health, provides a global framework for these local efforts.
One of the most powerful aspects of these programs is their inherent focus on holistic well-being, often guided by the Medicine Wheel teachings – a foundational concept for many Indigenous nations that emphasizes balance among the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a person. This contrasts sharply with the often fragmented, disease-focused approach of mainstream healthcare. For an Indigenous elder, healing might involve traditional medicines, ceremony, storytelling, connection to the land, and the comfort of their ancestral language, alongside conventional medical care.
Across Turtle Island, communities are reclaiming the responsibility of elder care through innovative and culturally grounded models. In the Pacific Northwest, some Coast Salish communities have developed intergenerational housing projects where elders live alongside families, fostering natural connections and allowing for the organic transfer of knowledge and language. These aren’t just housing units; they are vibrant community hubs where elders teach weaving, carving, language classes, and share oral histories, while younger generations provide practical support and companionship.
Further inland, the concept of "Elders’ Lodges" is gaining traction. These are long-term care facilities designed and operated by Indigenous communities, explicitly incorporating traditional architectural elements, communal spaces for ceremonies, and a curriculum of cultural activities. For example, the Dakota Ojibway Health Services in Manitoba, Canada, operates an Elders’ Lodge that offers culturally relevant programming, including traditional meals, storytelling circles, and access to Traditional Healers. "It’s about creating a home where our elders feel respected, understood, and connected to their roots," says a program director from a similar lodge in Arizona, serving Navajo and Hopi elders. "We ensure that the smells, the sounds, the faces, and the language around them are familiar and comforting. We bring the reservation to them, not send them away from it."
Home care programs are also being indigenized. Instead of a standard care aide, Indigenous home care services often employ community members who understand the nuances of cultural protocols, can speak the elder’s language, prepare traditional foods like wild rice or bannock, and assist with spiritual practices. This approach respects the elder’s autonomy and keeps them in their homes and communities for as long as possible, reducing the trauma of relocation. In many communities, these programs actively involve family members in the care planning, recognizing the importance of extended family in Indigenous societies.
Technology is also playing an increasingly vital role, especially for remote communities. Telehealth services connect elders to specialists without requiring arduous travel, while virtual cultural programs allow elders to participate in ceremonies, language lessons, and storytelling circles online, bridging geographical isolation. Some programs even use virtual reality to bring the sights and sounds of traditional lands to elders who can no longer travel, offering a powerful emotional and spiritual connection.
However, the path to fully realizing these culturally appropriate care models is not without its challenges. Foremost among them is chronic underfunding. Indigenous health services have historically been underfunded compared to mainstream services, creating significant disparities in infrastructure, staffing, and program development. Jurisdictional complexities, with varying responsibilities between federal, provincial/state, and tribal governments, often create bureaucratic hurdles and inconsistencies in service delivery. Attracting and retaining a workforce that is not only professionally qualified but also culturally competent and fluent in Indigenous languages remains a significant barrier. The need for more Indigenous healthcare professionals, care aides, and Traditional Healers is pressing.
Despite these obstacles, the resilience and determination of Indigenous communities are driving a powerful movement. The focus is increasingly on self-determination in health, empowering communities to design and govern their own care systems. This involves not only securing equitable funding but also advocating for policy changes that recognize and support Indigenous approaches to health and well-being. It also calls for greater collaboration between Indigenous organizations and mainstream health authorities, ensuring that services are co-created and culturally safe.
"Our elders are the foundation upon which our nations are built," states Elder Joseph Bearclaw, a respected Anishinaabe knowledge keeper. "To care for them is to ensure the continuity of our cultures, our languages, and our identities. It is an act of love, resistance, and hope for future generations." This sentiment encapsulates the profound significance of Indigenous elder care programs on Turtle Island. They are more than just healthcare initiatives; they are vital acts of cultural resurgence, healing, and the reaffirmation of Indigenous sovereignty, ensuring that the wisdom of the past continues to guide the path forward. By nurturing their roots, Indigenous nations are strengthening their future, one elder at a time.
