CHIPPEWAS OF THE THAMES COMMUNITY STORY - Cottfn

generations. For example, medicine plants are still being used to some extent and are
able to contribute to physical healing, but in many cases, people have lost connection to
the spiritual meaning of traditional medicines and healing practices. People are not
coming to elders as much to ask for advice, and many elders will no longer identify
themselves by their spirit name. This erosion of respect and support for elders is a result
of the influences described in #1 and 2 above, and also due to the influence of Canadian
society at large.
Program support needs
The participants of the COTT Community Story consultation process spoke about
challenges around ensuring that elders have access to the resources and supports they
need to live with dignity, respect and fulfillment. Some of the current challenges include:
i) having enough venues and funding for seniors groups and complexes; ii) enhancing
social inclusion for elders, including especially mutually satisfying relationships between
elders and youth; iii) removing red tape and other barriers to the full range of health care
services; iv) ensuring that the basic needs of all elders are met (including adequate
income); v) transportation for seniors to participate in community life and meet the
mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs; and vi) ensuring that elders are safe and
respected no matter whether they are living alone, with family members or in some kind
of seniors complex. Elders have barriers to reaching out for help, including the fact that
they are too proud to ask and we need to create the conditions that will allow them to
feel secure and supported enough to talk about their needs.
Support for healing
The participants of the COTT Community Story consultation process talked about
the impact of residential schooling on the wellness level of the community‘s elders.
Residential school disrupted the development and expression of emotions, especially in
the context of personal relationships. Some elders are trying to relearn this capacity, but
the residential experience has had a ripple effect that has resulted in some of the issues
that face communities today such as high rates of youth crime, substance abuse,
chronic disease, school drop outs and mental health challenges. As one of the speakers
at the meeting that produced this report said, ―One thing we can do for our elders is to
help them get a better life and support them through justice. Why should we let what
happened to them through residential schooling burn inside of them when we can bring it
out and help our people get past this?‖ Elder support groups were described as one
Chippewas of the Thames Community Story
October 2011
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