Smoke Signals 5
Busy Tribal Elders Hit the Road
From New Mexico to Pendleton, Elders renewing bonds, giving gifts, and learning.
By Ron Karten
DECEMBER 1, 2002
This fall, 22 Grand Ronde Tribal Elders made
a trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico for a Na
tional Indian Council on Aging event called,
"Healing Ourselves, Healing Our Spirits, Heal
ing Our World."
With a focus on Elder abuse as an on-going
problem and healing circles as part of the solu
tion, members Tribe came back with incredible
stories, life affirming experiences and new friends.
Tribal Elder and former Tribal Council Chair
Kathryn Harrison related a story about "a lady
from the Southwest who told how she was being
abused. She put up with it for her husband's
sake and was still putting up with it. She was a
tiny lady."
Others noted the few programs available to
them on their reservations. Even in Grand
Ronde, Harrison said, "We don't have an Elder's
Advocate."
Charlene LaChance, wife of Tribal member
Tom LaChance, reported on how helpful she and
Tom found the sessions on diabetes. She remem
bered one lesson in particular "If we don't take
time to grieve," she said, "and not just family
losses but different things, like job losses or chil
dren leaving home, your organs will grieve for
you. I went, 'Wooah!.'"
Also, on spiritual healing, LaChance said, "We
need to listen. And Elders need to tell their sto
ries." LaChance spoke of "fantastic exercise groups,"
and all the energy the conference gave her. "I
joined Senior Peer Counselors the day I came
back."
For Tribal Elder Betty Lambert, the diabetes
sessions were most important, because diabetes
afflicts both sides of her family.
"I learned quite a little bit," she said.
And Lambert also was very excited about the
open sessions on Elder abuse.
"I learned a lot things that I didn't know was
Elder abuse," she said. She mentioned things
like children dropping off their children to stay
with the grandparents for a few days, without
asking, without providing money to help take
care of them.
And like others, Lambert benefited from in
formation about "talking circles," and the heal-
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Tourist Types Tribal Elders Betty Lambert (left in blue), Carol Nelson (center with white shopping bag)
take in the shops during an Elders' trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico earlier this fall.
ing they can provide.
The trip also included plenty of time for
sightseeing and this included trips to
Albuquerque's Old Town and a memorable tram
ride up into the mountains.
"We had lunch up there," said Lambert, "and
came down when it was dark. The lights were
really neat."
In Old Town, "it was hot," said Tom LaChance.
"92 degrees."
Tribal Elder Norma Lee took her first airplane
ride in making this trip, reported Kathryn
Harrison. "The steward announced it to others
on the plane and gave her some wings. She
said she'd fly again."
Representatives of more than 150 Tribes at
tended the conference, Lambert reported, in-
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"We're Here" Tribal Elder Tom LaChance poses
(left) and June Bolden (right). Elders were as busy as
and hosting events for other Elders.
for a picture in New Mexico with his wife Charlene (center)
schoolchildren this year taking trips, visiting with old friends
eluding Natives from Australia and Canada.
In mid-October, 56 Tribal Elders attended El
der Honor Day at the Umatilla Nation in
Pendleton. With the most attending of any Tribe,
the group from CTGR came home with a medi
cine stick as a gift. It will reside in the cabinet
in the Community Center, according to Tribal
Elder and Elder's Committee Chair Louise
Medeiros.
"One thing a lot of us remember," said
LaChance, "is the people. People were so friendly.
It's a learning experience when you go on these."
Tribal Elder Arvella Houck, 93, was honored
during the day for being the oldest in attendance.
Arvella is mother of Tribal Council member and
Elder Val Grout, Arlene Giffen-Beck, Les Houck,
and Arnold Houck (deceased), and brother of
Gene Hudson. She was awarded
a Pendleton blanket and a purse,
according to daughter Arlene
Beck.
Lambert recalled the entertain
ment included youth playing har
monicas and drums.
The day also included gifts,
speakers, a raffle, lunch and free
passes to the Tamastslikt Cultural
Institute, said Beck.
The highlight for Elder's Com
mittee Chair Louise Medeiros - "the
fact that we had 56 there and ev
erybody had a good time." She
added, "I'll let you in on a little se
cret - I'm so busy making sure ev
erybody is taken care of that when
I get home, my only thought is,
'Gee, I wish I'd been there!'"
And the highlight of the day for
Arlene Beck - "My mom being
honored." Get well soon, Granny!
The next big event for Tribal El
ders a Christmas party on De
cember 20, featuring live music,
eggnog happy hour and a gourmet
dinner. And the highlight, accord
ing to Medeiros: "Who gets the
lump of coal?"
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