FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN ELDERS DAY
Sheana Benitez, Jacque Wilson, Wahbon Spears, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Barb Benjamin-Robertson, Maren Hardy, Maxine McCollough, Monica Nilsson. Photo courtesy of Spirit Care Services and Lt. Governor Flanagan’s office.
By Gwekigaabawiiikwe, Barbara Benjamin-Robertson
The first ever Native American Elder Day was held on September 18, 2024, at Veterans Park in Richfield, Minnesota. This was a special day for recognizing and honoring Elders for their strength and vision, and to all our ancestors who have lived on this land for generations. We have carried forth their knowl edge, infinite wisdom, language, traditional and cultural values for future generations. Over 250 Elders from the greater twin city metropolitan area attended this event including two buses full of Elders arriving from Duluth, Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe, and White Earth Band of Ojibwe.
Spirit Care Services, with co-founders Maren Hardy and Maxine McCollough, invited a core group of Elders, community members, and tribal offices to help plan this event. This steering committee team helped carry this vision forward. Spirit Care Services is dedicated to providing the services necessary to enable clients/Native American Elders to live as independently as they are able, with the help of respectful, reliable, and compassionate caregivers.
Native Americans were the first ones here and the last ones to be served, and we have the highest number of disparities, and a lack of services and resources in the community, This eventful day began with a welcome by Maren Hardy, a prayer by Linda Eagle Speaker, Emcee Jerry Dearly, and the Little Crow Bellecourt Drum group performed. There were free shirts, resource tables, a lunch of traditional foods, a popcorn stand, a photo booth, a caricature artist, entertainment by “El vis” (flown in from Las Vegas because the local Native Elvis was not available), and invited speakers and dignitaries. Mille Lacs Band member photographer B.J. Roache took many photographs.
Besides our esteemed Elders, dignitaries included the State of Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan who mingled with the crowd, read a State of Minnesota Proclamation declaring this day as Native American Elder Day, and City of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also read a City of Minneapolis Proclamation declaring this day as Native American Elder Day. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Chairman Faron Jackson attended and donated beautiful Native American beadwork and crafts created by artists from Leech Lake. State of Minnesota House Representative (District 51A) Michael Howard attended as well as Richfield City Council member Sharon Christensen, and Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna S. Witt.
NATIVE AMERICAN ELDER DAY
An Urban Indian Elder Committee composed of members from American Indian organizations and tribal urban offices in the metropolitan area had for 23 years prior held an annual Urban Indian Elders Picnic at Minnehaha Falls. There was a break due to the Covid-19 outbreak, but Spirit Care Services listened to the Elders from the community who wanted to continue this picnic idea — Elders love to socialize — hence the First Annu al Native American Elder Day came about.
“As I took a moment to stand back at these amazing Elders from across our state under the pavilion I was so touched and grateful for all the support we got from everyone in the com munity to make this happen,” said Maren Hardy. “Our Elders are so deserving of this and I’m grateful for all the help we had. I cannot wait for next year to see it become even bigger and better.”
In all my years of listening to my Elders, my mentors, and the tribal community which I love, I am proud to say, we walked here then, we walk here still. The event was covered by WCCO news. You can watch the coverage at https://tinyurl.com/ytt9ns8e. For more information go to www.spiritcareservices.com
