This year, besides being in the concentrated Social Work program, I am also taking the Aging Option which tacks on one more class each semester my first year. As a result of taking this semester’s class (Health and Aspects of Aging), I have been being more intentional in observing how the elderly (the term older adults (Robnett & Chop, 2010) is the more appropriate way to refer to this demographic) are treated in the world around me. Being a frequent city transit user, I see that the older adults are not always offered a seat when the bus is full; from working in retail, I know that sales associates are reluctant to help older adults as they will take twenty or more minutes of your time only to tell you that they will leave to think about the purchase; and from living in a culture where popular media bombards you at literally every corner, I know that older adults are often portrayed as frail, incompetent, and basically unnecessary. My question is how older adults were viewed by Indigenous culture and what role they play(ed) in their community.
In her article on learning models of the Indigenous, “Understanding Learning Ideology Through Storywork with Elders”, Atleo looks at the role elders (an English word used by the Indigenous to refer to their older adults) played in their community and family units. From surveying five elders and having them examine a story and share how it reflects their culture (455 – 456), she finds that “the experiences of grandparents were expected to provide examples of successful living and models of activities, attitudes, and behaviors for their grandchildren… …. Grandparents had the experience, the moral and social right, to provide a running commentary on the parenting activities of the community” (461). To be an example and to provide construction criticism (and maybe even correction) to the happenings in the family and community were part of the function of their older adults. When this happens today, it can be viewed as prying, nosing around, and even offensive. In an article found in the Saskatchewan Sage, one elder shares her purpose as an elder in the modern world, “There were so many lost souls in this world because they don’t have their language and culture. I’d like to at least give them that chance. If I know it I can teach it and restore some of their pride, and identity and foundation of self worth” (6), speaking of the high teen suicide rate that once plagued her community. While she might not be able to share all of the stories an elder once was able to, she is attempting to keep the language and the remnants she knows alive through teaching and writings; very admirable.
The role of older adults has clearly changed this past hundred years; as our society keeps focusing on the specialness and uniqueness of individuality, and as we keep listening to it, we move further from learning from older members of our community. If you haven’t found this to be true yet, the time we have with our grandparents might not be a long lasting one. If you are able to, follow through with the teachings of the Indigenous and find out what stories the older adults in your life can share and what you can learn from them. Nostalgic connotations aside, I’m sure they will love you to sit with them and spend time listening to what they have to say. Make this a personal policy for you ;)
Kel
Atleo, M. (2009). Understanding aboriginal learning ideology through storywork with elders. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 55(4), 453-467. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/pqdlink?vinst=PROD&fmt=6&startpage=-1&vname=PQD&RQT=309&did=2170783171&scaling=FULL&vtype=PQD&rqt=309&TS=1321750925&clientId=12305
Grebinski, L. (2011). Storytelling festival celebrates traditions. Saskatchewan Sage, 15(6), 6. Retrieved from http://content.ebscohost.com.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/pdf25_26/pdf/2011/GN7/01Mar11/59353662.pdf?T=P&P=AN&K=59353662&S=R&D=fth&EbscoContent=dGJyMNHX8kSep7c4zOX0OLCmr0meqLBSr664TbeWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGrs0m3qrBMuePfgeyx44Dt6fIA
Robnett, R. H., & Chop, W. C. (2010). Gerontology for the health care professional. (2 ed., p. 21). Mississauga: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Atleo, M. (2009). Understanding aboriginal learning ideology through storywork with elders. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 55(4), 453-467. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/pqdlink?vinst=PROD&fmt=6&startpage=-1&vname=PQD&RQT=309&did=2170783171&scaling=FULL&vtype=PQD&rqt=309&TS=1321750925&clientId=12305
Great post, Kel. I think your absolutely right on the points you made in this blog. We don't take time to learn from our elders. And we don't always take very good care of them either (in this society). I think when we do that, we are teaching OUR children how to treat US in our old age. We also are not giving older adults an opportunity to feel valued. In fact, many older adults are at risk of suicide because they either feel a lack of belonging or perceive that they are a burden to their loved ones. We would do well as a society to follow the indigenous example.
ReplyDeleteBambi
Wonderful post Kel.
ReplyDeleteAs I said before, the Elders and Traditional Teachers Gathering is this Friday and Saturday. I'm not sure if you'd be interested in listening to particular cultrual teachings, but at the very least you can observe the "Oshkabe" working for the Elders as an example of practical older adult care.
In fact, now I'm starting to think that the role of an Oshkabe ("Elder's Helper" or "Young Man Helper" in Anishnabe) is not just to provide mental stimulation for both people, along with an younger person willing to listen.
Sometimes, all it takes is a willing ear from someone and an older adult will talk it off. I know this from experience. :D
~Shauna
Great post! I think you are right when you say that we don't take the time to learn from our elders. I think the sentence you said about them being portrayed as "frail, incompetent and basically unnecessary" was bang on to what so many people think. This is unfortunate though. The elders in our society have been through so much and whitnessed so many things that we will never be able to fully understand through textbooks or word of mouth thats been passed on for generations. Once the elders have passed on, who are we going to learn from? We need to take the time to listen and learn from them. They actually are very competent and necessary for our society.
ReplyDelete- Michal B.