VERMILION RESERVATION- Cecilia Connor was probably the oldest attendee at the Bois Forte Caregiver and Elder Expo on Feb. 6 at Fortune Bay. The 95-year-old elder had taken the Big Woods bus from Nett Lake, and she was busy visiting all the booths set up in the exhibit area outside of the large ballroom, where a series of speakers talked on topics like assistive technology for those living with low vision, preventing online elder fraud, legal services and health care directives, and information on medical insurance options.
The first annual event was sponsored by Bois Forte Health Services, with grant funding from the Northland Foundation and the Minnesota Department of Health Services.
Laura Rosier, Long-Term Support Specialist with Bois Forte, organized the conference, recruiting 15 vendors to set up informational booths, as well as finding speakers and demonstrations for the day.
“We covered a lot of bases,” she said.
The event attracted a good mix of elders and caregivers, she said, though attendance was lower than they had hoped for the first year.
“It might have been too close to State of the Band,” she said, “which was held the week prior.”
Exhibits covered a wide variety of health and basic living needs, with services available to elders and band members of all ages. Services such as heating assistance, low-cost internet, assistance with bills, rental assistance, legal and housing assistance, vehicle repairs, and more. Activities included learning seated chair exercises, suitable for elders, as well as healthy snack options.
“I think everyone who was there took some important information home with them,” Rosier said.
Both Lighthouse Center and Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging told Rosier they had gotten good feedback as well as referrals from attendees who would qualify for services.
Staff from many Bois Forte departments, as well as other area agencies, were on hand. Bois Forte Behavioral Health Acting Supervisor Erin Danielson said they provide services at Nett Lake and Vermilion, as well as outreach in several area schools.
“In the six years I have been here, we have seen referrals growing month to month,” she said. “This is a statewide issue, with long wait times for services.” Right now, they have two therapists on staff, but need many more and are currently hiring.
“The need is growing,” she said.
Jennalee Porter oversees the Cultural Healing Program.
“I want to get my community more exposed to our culture,” she said, “and to promote healing and education.”
Porter said that many who are not willing to try working with a therapist are more willing to be receptive to traditional cultural practices, which can also help with wellness.
“This is what I grew up doing,” she said. “It is everything to me.” Porter has been organizing classes and events focused on cultural practices, such as a recent class about traditional funeral protocols. They also sponsor meetings with elders to learn from them and hear their stories.
“We need to keep our culture moving upwards,” she said, noting the importance of preserving the Ojibwe language.
“Our language is vast,” she said.
Becca Adams, from Bois Forte Community Wellness, was offering tastes of easy-no-cook chia pudding with berries and popped wild rice toppings, a recipe adapted from “The Sioux Chef” cookbook by Sean Sherman.
Information on long term care options with programs such as adult day services, home health aides, companion services, and nursing visits available from Bois Forte Health and Human Resources.
Big Woods Transit provides transportation from the Nett Lake and Vermilion Reservations, along with free transportation to non-emergency medical appointment using volunteer drivers. The group is seeking more volunteers to help elders and those with disabilities with trips for medical appointments, as well weekly trips to run errands. Volunteers are reimbursed with the federal mileage rate of 67 cents per mile. A handicap-accessible van is also available to serve elders and those with disabilities who would have a difficult time getting in and out of a regular vehicle. If anyone is interested in volunteering, please call 888-757-1540.
Lighthouse Center for Vital Living offers older adults and people with disabilities help to live more independently, be safer, connect to their families and community, and be more active. They specialize in helping people with limited vision. For information, call 218-624-4828 or visit LCFVL.org/referral.
Resources for behavioral health include:
• Range Mental Health Center (RMHC) 24-hour crisis number: 1-800-450-2273
• RMHC Wellstone Center: 218-471-4327
• RMHC Mobile Crisis Program: 218-288-2100. Crisis lines offer text-based help with relationship issues, general mental health, and suicidal thoughts: Text MN to 741741
• Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
• Trevor Project (LGBTQ Crisis and Suicide Hotline): 866-488-7386
• Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255
• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988. No matter what problems you’re dealing with, if you need someone to lean on for emotional support, call the 988 Lifeline. Calls are confidential and free.