Chapter 7: Indigenous Elders in Rural America

Abstract

Using figures from the most recent census as well as available literature, this chapter considers the status of Indigenous elders in rural areas of the United States. Following a review of basic demographic indicators, we examine history of forced assimilation and colonization, and the impact of that history on Indigenous elders. We note the common belief that the status of Indigenous elders is less than historical and contemporary cultural norms would dictate. Discussion at a public meeting about the return of artifacts is offered as an illustrative example. We then consider service approaches that can both empower elders and improve their quality of life-suggesting that the pursuit of culturally ap-[Haworth co-indexing entry note]: "

Passing on Our Culture: How Older Australians from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds Contribute to Civil Society

“…Both groups of respondents described themselves as repositories of cultural knowledge within their communities. These activities are similar to the broader roles proposed in other international studies relating to both migrants (e.g., Knudtson & Suzuki, 1992) and Indigenous older people (e.g., Barusch & TenBarge, 2003;New Zealand, 2002). However, the data presented in this paper suggest a distinctly Australian flavour from the perspective of older Australians themselves.…”

“…As a result, many older Indigenous people interact with a number of the systems that connect with these young people, such as the judicial or educational system, and attempt to encourage and support them through these processes. The activities undertaken by Indigenous older Australians are consistent with those reported in studies of other Aboriginal populations, such as in New Zealand and Canada (Barusch & TenBarge, 2003;Cook, 1999), indicating the respected and unique position held by elders within these cultures. It is clearly time for Australia to recognise these as important productive activities in later life.…”

“…Studies of American and Canadian Indigenous peoples, however, have suggested that the role of elders within these cultures is to maintain and propagate rituals, disseminate traditional values and teachings and provide guidance and assistance to younger generations (Barusch & TenBarge, 2003;Cook, 1999). Within the Australian context, the literature focuses on the central role of family within Indigenous culture as part of ethnic identity (e.g., Bourke, Bourke & Edwards, 1998).…”

Balancing Within Various Discourses—The Art of Being Old and Living as a Sami Woman

“…The Sami women in our study all had been exposed to the nation's dominant culture during some period of their lives, something also seen in earlier studies of indigenous people (Barusch & TenBarge, 2003;Coates, 2004). The Swedish state has tried both to assimilate the Sami and make them into Swedes and to court the tourist industry by portraying an exotic picture of the indigenous Sami people in the far north.…”

“…As children, the women had been forbidden to speak their mother tongue in school. This practice may be compared with that of other jurisdictions where governments also moved indigenous children from their homes to boarding schools, and where the children were punished for using their mother tongue (Barusch & TenBarge, 2003;Coates, 2004). The women expressed that during the period when they were not allowed to use their mother tongue, they also felt that to be a Sami was viewed in a deprecatory way.…”