Respecting and honouring our Elders is a fundamental value that strengthens our communities.
Culture is a very important aspect of health. Being proud of who we are, of our language, and of our traditions, is essential for our wellness and wellbeing. We need to keep our culture alive. And for that, we need the support and the knowledge of our elders.
Elders
Elders have always been the roots of a community. They are wise and have a lifetime of experiences. They are considered role models and leaders for the community. They are the keepers of our knowledge, traditions, and values. They know how to be safe on the land and how to read the weather. They also know how to sew or cure an illness with traditional medicines. They provide great advice to solve an issue and great stories about the past.
Elders are dedicated to sharing their knowledge, through storytelling, teaching skills to younger generations, or simply by speaking Inuktitut. As knowledge is built through time and experience, we need to listen to them, and watch them, to learn. This knowledge needs to be passed on to future generations to keep them safe, well, and healthy, and so that Inuit culture stays strong.
Elders are also the guardians of family heritage. They represent an important resource for the family and often play an important role in the raising of their grandchildren. They provide love and security, and can be a great support for the parents.
Since our society has gone through many traumatic experiences through colonization, reconnecting to our elders is very important. Elders can help bring back harmony and balance in the community, and their input is crucial for cultural revitalization, prevention programs, and especially healing programs. They have the knowledge to help define the vision of a healthy community, and they know how to work for the common good in a respectful manner as well as how to prepare communities for a better future. But as the gap between elders and the younger generations widens, we need to bridge it to ensure our youth grow strong and healthy.
Relearning Inuit culture and values is so crucial. This can have a great and positive impact on our society. Integrating culture and values in the workplace can improve the impact of the work that is done. We need our elders to achieve this. Their knowledge is essential to heal and grow our society.
Reference: From a CBC capsule by Annie Kumarluk, 2023
Well-being of Elders
Our elders need us, too. As they age, they require our support and help with everyday tasks to ensure their well-being and safety and to live peacefully. They also appreciate when we bring them country food, especially when they cannot go hunting or fishing as often as they used to, as country food is important for their health. Elders also enjoy being visited, as sometimes they cannot go out as much as before.
Our elders need us too. As they age, they require our support with everyday tasks to ensure their well-being, safety, and peace of mind. They appreciate when we bring them country food, especially when they cannot go hunting or fishing as often as they used to, as it is important for their health. Elders also enjoy being visited, as they sometimes cannot go out as much as before.
Reference: from a CBC capsule by Annie Kumarluk, 2023
The well-caring of elders is a way of being and acting that emphasizes their well-being, respects their needs, and honors their wants and choices, including when they choose to refuse assistance.
We can create environments favourable to the well-caring of Elders by working togethe to:
- Focus our actions on the Elders
- Foster their power to take action
- Respect and acknowledge their right to dignity.
- Promote their social inclusion and participation.
- Come together to support them.
Reference:
Fletcher, Christopher, Qanuilirpitaa? Nunavik Regional Health Survey, Community Component Report, Definition Of An Inuit Cultural Model And Social Determinants Of Health For Nunavik. Cited in: EVALUATION OF THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES SYSTEM IN NUNAVIK:THE USERS’ PERSPECTIVE. Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, 2021.