Ahtahkakoop seeking alternative for Elders

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Across Canada, Elders, once the foundation from which First Nations garnered their strengths, are now frequently found living in conditions of isolation, poverty, and sub-standard housing.

Many bands are working diligently to alter this situation. In Saskatchewan, the Ahtahkakoop First Nation has been relentless in its efforts to secure a safe, feasible alternative in housing for the 80 band Elders who are over 65 years of age.

Since 1990 the band has been working towards improving the unsatisfactory living conditions of the Elders. In September, 1991, a community survey of elderly and disabled members was conducted. The survey revealed that the state of housing for band Elders left them at risk of neglect, mistreatment, alienation, loneliness and increased health problems. Some are living in condemned old homes, often without phones. The deplorable conditions force some Elders to leave their on-reserve homes during the winter months, so they can rent warmer places in nearby towns.

As a response to the survey, the band has drafted a proposal for a 24-unit on-reserve Elder's Lodge. The lodge has been designed to re-integrate the Elders back into the heart of the community by building the lodge in close proximity to the school, NNADAP treatment centre, the proposed site for the future Ahtahkakoop Native Cultural Museum.

Future considerations for the lodge include the development of a health care facility. This will enable more Elders to remain on-reserve in the event of their requiring extensive health care services. A further benefit of this project is the anticipated awards of economic development for the band, and for qualified First Nations workers.

The band has enlisted the services of architects, who have designed a unique, yet practical building, to meet the specifications of the Elders. To date, the band has already invested $180,000 dollars towards the project, however plans have been halted by bureaucratic dodging.

Other bands were able to acquire the funds necessary to build Elder's lodges, because they applied for funding prior to the introduction of Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development changes in funding allocation. In the past, DIAND would distribute a certain amount to each band. In order to access further funding, bands were required to draft proposals for specific projects. DIAND reserved a large sum of money each year for these more specific projects. Since the changes have been introduced, every band receives its funding from DIAND on a per-capita basis. There is no funding allowed above and beyond the determined annual amount.

Ahtahkakoop band officials approached the provincial government (which funds off-reserve Elders' homes), to attempt to engage them in a cost-sharing effort.

"The province told us that we're a federal responsibility, and that if they gave us the money, they'd be over-riding the federal government," said band manager Neil Ahenekew. "There are provincially funded Elders' homes in all the small communities around us. They're all full to capacity. So far, only Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has offered to involve themselves by subsidizing the operating costs of the project.

"Our Elders feel more comfortable staying within First Nations communities," continues Ahenekew. "We also want to be able to use the resources available to us through our Elders."

While the government play political dodge ball, another winter is taking its toll on the Elders of Ahtahkakoop, and elsewhere. A quote from the band's feasibility study states. "The philosophy of the program is a response to the contribution the Elders have provided to the band over the years. The desire of the band is to acknowledge this contribution and provide the Elders with the ability to maintain their dignity and independence while living on reserve." Encouraging the same standard of care and respect is something the band now has to hope to instill in those who could help to make the lodg a reality.

"This project is ready to go to tender," says Ahenekew. "If we had the cash, we'd be ready to start building in the spring."