T81181 90-AM-2192./011 334-6082/1 NOTE 104P.; Paper Copy Not'available Due Topublisher's Choice

kDOCUMENT RESUME

ED 219 191 RC 013 491

TITLE May the Circle Be Unbroken: A NewDecade. Final Report on the National Indian Conference onAging T3rd, Albuquerque, New Mexico, September 8-10, 1980). INSTITUTION. 'National Indian Council on Aging,,Albuquerque, N. Mex, SPONS AGENCY ACTION, Washington, D.C.; Administration onAging (DHHS), Washington, D.C.; Bureau of IndianAffairs (Dept. of Interior), Washington, D.C.; IndianHealth (PHS/HSA), Rockville, MD. PUBATE t81181 90-AM-2192./011 334-6082/1 NOTE 104p.; Paper copy not'available due topublisher's choice. For related document see ED 183 299 and158 897. AVAILABLE FROMNational Indian Council on Aging, Inc., P.0.\.Box, 2088, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103 ($4.00 per copy).

EDRS PRICE MF01 Plus Postage. PC Not Available fromEMS. DESCRIPTORS Alaska Natives; *American Indians; *Cultural Awareness; Delivery Systems; *Futures(of Society); *Gerontology; Health Needs; Human Resources;Mental Health; Nursing Homes; *Older Adults; Policy Formation; *Quality of Life; Research Needs; Socioeconomic Status ;. Tribes; Urban American Indians IDENTIF -ZERS *Natinal Indian Council on Aging

ABSTRACT Focusing on six major topics to beaddressed at the 1981 White House Conference (economicsecurity, physical and mental health, social well being, olderAmericans as a national resource, creating an tge- integrated society, andresearch), the National Indian Conference attracted 1,165 persons from morethan 140 tribes (592 being Indian elderi over 69 years ofage). Twenty-five intensive /11 4 -hotr workshops on Indian elderlycovered such areas as institutional care, in-homservices,, transportation, nutrition, pensions, Indian religionfreedom, elderly and the Indian Child Welfare Act, education of and by Indianelders, relationships between young and old, r atedeproblems, census methodology, biomedical reseakch,`energy so, research, elderly urban Indians, the future of American Indian cu t , tribal elderly and energy development,.institutignal ca , the Administration on ;aging and 'Title VI, and political activism. Resolutions are listedurging establishment of supplemental burial funds,establishment of an Indian Desk within the Administration onAging, adoption of the concept of direct funding in allFederal social services programs, etc. The final report alsoprovides an introduction, background, objectives, format, participants', events,and agenda. Appendices" contain a list of workshop topics andpanelists, conference resolutions and tribal resolutions, and alist of Congressiohal, committees concerned with'Indian elderly. (AB) MAY THE CIRCLE BEUNBROKEN: A NEWDECADE

'PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS U S DEPARTMENT OFEDUCATION MATERIALIN MICROFICHE ONLY NATIONAL INSTITUTE OFEILLICATIOZ0 HAS BEEN GRANTEO BY )

; .1 kJ 146-, L'

TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER TEPIIC)

Final Report on the

02 *-1Third National Indian Copfetence on Aging 0 Albuquerque, New Mexico September 8-10, 1980

rl MAY THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN

A NEW DECADE

FINAL REPORT ON THE 0 THIRD NATIONAL INDIAN COP IRENCE ON AGING

sponsored by ,The Natidnal Indian Council on Aging

s . -

ALBUQUERQUE CONVENTION CENTER SEPTEMBER 8-10, 1980 Albuquerque, New Mexico

This project was supported, in part. by grant, 90AM2192/01 from the Administration on Aging, Office of Human Development, Department of Health and Human Services, by ACTION, Project Grant No, 334-6082/1, by the U S. Department of the Intenor, Bureau 'of Indian Affairs, and by the Indian .Health Service, Lf.S. Public Health Service .1, a 1

Additional copiel,rof this report may be obtained for $4.00 from -

NATIONAL INDIAN COUNCIL ON AGING P.O. Box 2088 Albuquerque, !few Mexico 87103

represents input from The summary of conference recommendationsand material included in the appendices of the National Indian conference participants and others and does notnecessarily reflect the views or policies Council on Aging or the agencies whichprovided funding fo the conference.

Printing and Typography by Cordova Prinng Albuquerque, NP .N Mexico United SW's of America ----- CONTENTS

PAGE . ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vi

REPORT ON THE CONFERENCE,

IntrOduction 1

Background 1 Objectives of the Conference 2 Conference Format r 2 ,Participants 4 Conference Events 4 co'nference Agenda 9

WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS

Introduction 13 Economic Security 14 Physical and Mental Health 17 So Cial Well-Being .20 Older Americans as a National Resource 25 Creating an Age-Integrated Society 28

Research 31

APPENDICES

A. Conference Workshops and Panelists 35 onference Resolutions 0 Economic Security 47 Physical and Mental Health 49 Social Well-Being 56' fOlder Americans as a National Resource 63 Creating an Age-Integrated Sciriety 65 Research 68 Tribal Resolutions 70

C. Congressional Committees Concerned With Indian Elders 91

iii FOREWORD

The Preservation of IndianCulture

impor- Realizing that our lives are now inthe midst antecedents that bring a sense of the past of the American way of life, we areconcerned tant to our life. Our hope forthe future becomes through about the quality of Our life as NativeAmericans, clear for us only when it becomes manifest and our present. To deny, which is, to that extent, derived underthe Ameri- our sense of our past and equality under law. In or in any waylimit the practice of our culture, can ideals of justice lives. order that we may be heard andheeded in our therefore, is to begin uprooting our very equal to all right to the enjoyment of_our culture as a separate Cur life, as a people, is at least philosophy other life forms. Therefore, it canbe compro- people, we find it rYecessary to state a forms. It that expresses a purpose in ourliving as Native mised no more nor kiss than other life comproinised for the expediency of the Americans, looking to those teachings inthe prac- can not be or our cultures that are making and the carrying out of lawsby govern- tices, customs, and usages for the niceties unique to each of our separatelife ways. ments; it can not be compromised of antiquity Our sense of fulfillment isthe realization of of public interest in the preservation species for their own sake. the wholeness of life touched by ourconcept of or the 'endangered entry self, community, and the environment asthese It is not enough to say that mere access or violation, in itself, concepts have come to usthrough our cultural into the Indian tribal way is a and preservation of teachings from time immemorial. Eachof these of the raw for the protection conceived to be an equal designated places and areas, that arealso signifi- parts of the whole is cultural reasons. It is not spiritual life form. fhe spiritualityof these ele- cant to Indian entry for understanding through the enough to say that Indians mustabandon their ments comes to r American way oral traditions that show us the way inwhich we cultural ways and conform to the might see the significance of life andliving. These because of its dominating influence and reason. transcends the oral traditions are our literature,philosophy, his- Our life is a birth-right that compromised by tory, law, and geographythat teach us the whole- laws of man, and must not be nest.of the. world, our world,and how we are a judgments under man-made law. with it. part of it; how we move se Life is continuous; what we do andfeel, hear and say, follow alaw of continuity. We must have EMORY SEKAQUAPTEWA roots in order to grow. Our roots arethe cultural University of Arizona

iv Li MAY THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN

, \\

You havt noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always worts' in circles, and everything tries to be round. In the old days when we were a strong and happy people, all our power came to us from the sacred hoop of the nation and so long as the hoop was unbroken the people flourished. The flowering tree was the living center of the hoop, and the circle of the fouriquarters nourished it. The East gave peace and light, the South gave warmth, the West gave rain, and the North with its cold and mighty wind gave strengsn and endurance. Thiknowledge can to us from the outer world with our religion. Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle. The sky 'is round and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball and so are all the stars. The Wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The Sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same, and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle, from childhood to childhood and so it is in everything where power moves. Our tipis were --. round like the nests of birds and these were always set In a circle, the nation's hoop, a nest of many nests where the Great Spirit meant for us to hatch our children! Black Elk 4

v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The National Indian Council on Agingwishes to extend its appceciatipn to thefollowing agen- 1980National Indian Conference on cies and organizations for theirassistance and support of the Aging:

ACTION Administration for Native Americans

Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce

Albuquerque Convention Center'

Albuquerque Urban Indian Center

All Indian Pueblo Council

Americans for Indian Opportunity' i Bureau of Indian Affairs, AlbuquerqueOffice ...

Bureau of Indian Affairs, Central Office Eight Norther])i Indian-Pueb11111Cduncit_ Governor's Office, State of New Mexico

Harwood Training Center, Albuquerque

Hotel Regent Convention Staff

Indian Health Service, Albuquer ue Area

Indian Health Service, Central ffice

National Indian Youth Council

Navajo Tribe

Six Sandoval Pueblos

Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota

University of New Mexico

White House Conference on Aging effort to the con- We also wish to thank the manyindividuals who contributed their time and NICOA's Confer- ference. These include Elizabeth Kayate;Ralph Zotigh; Nancy Garcia; Paul Ortega; Patricia Wood, and Chair- ence Planning Committee,Phoebe Cloud, Louva Dahozy, Lorena Dixon, man Allan Jemison, theconterence speakers and panelists; andthe many other individuals who assisted at the conference on behalf ofthe elders. To all, our gratitude.

VI -01 4

REPORT ON THE CONtERENV-

ti NICOA sponsored the secondNational In- INTRODUCTION dian Conference on Aging inAugust 1978. This t conference, held in Billings,'Montana, focused Conference on The 1980 National Indian on health concernsof the Indian elderly. More almost 600 Indian and Aging saw the gathering of than 2,000 people attended thisconference, which Alaskan Native elders fromtribes across the na- offered information on health careand related equal rumber of serv, .0. tion. Joining them were an services then available, andagain provided a planners, and policy ice providers, administrators, forum for identifyingproblems and developing makers whose only commonality was a concern recommendations for action. for the well-being of Indian and AlaskanNative Both of these conferencesgenerated tre- elderly. mendous interest in the Indiancommunity and These people came together todocument and organizations concerned their con- among the agencies the needs of Indian* elders, to voice with the Indian elderly. Theyproduced tangible cerns about the statusof the elderly, to celebrate benefits such as the formationof a national ad- the strengths of Indian eldersand their cultures, substantiation of needs and con- for action to vocacy body; and to develop recommendations cerns, which hasbeen essential in supporting without jeopard- improve the lives of the elders national policy recommendations;and the spear- izing what remains of theIndian way of life. heading of direct-fundinglegislation which cul- minated in the passage of Title VIof the Older Americans Act. Moreover,the conferences have BACKGROUND sensitized service providers to thespecial needs of the Indian elderly. Andthey have helped as- Conference on sure the elders thattheir concerns are not being The 1980 National Indian being heard. Aging was the third such conference everheld. ignored, and that their voices are National Tribal In light of the accomplishmentsof previous The first was sponsored by the third Chairmen's Association in June 1976in Phoenix, conferences, NICOA decided to sponsor a national forum to National Indian Conference onAging, to be held Arizona. It provided the first Albuquerque, New address concerns of the Indian/AlaskanNative September 8-10,1980,in elderly, and ended five years ofinaction on the Mexico. Conference vital issues raised in a specialIndian Concerns The' approaching White House (WHCOA), scheduled forDecember. Session at the 1971 White HouseConference on on Aging 1981, increased theimportance of holding an-. Agrng. , the 1500 par- other national Indian conference onaging. The . During the 1976 conference, Aging, held once ticipants identified the needsand concerns of White House Conferences on form the basis and made recommendation's each decade since 1961, essentially the Indian elderly, White House Con- for remedial action. In addition,communication for U.S. aging policy. Previous provider agencies ferences have' resulted in majoradvances in the between participating service Medicare and and the Indian Community was'enhanced. field of aging in the U.S., including the national aging network. Inspite of these ac- House Con- The most tangible result of theconference complishments, however, past White the unique needs was the formationof a National Indian Task Force ferences have failed to.address of minority 'elders-. A specialIndian Concerns on Aging,charged with the responsibility of see- conference recommendations were Session was held at the 1971White House Con- ingthat developed carried out. This task forceincorporated as the, ference, but the recommendations included in The record and National Indian Cpuncil on Aging (NICOA),and at the session were the only national then ignored. has functioned since 1976 as that workingspecificallyforthe Consequently, it is of critical importance advocacybody represented and consid- Indian/Alaskan Native elderly. Indian concerns be ered at the 1981 White HouseConference, in order that they be adequately andappropriately

... addressed within the frameworkof U.S. aging -*Througnout this report. use of the term"Indian" includes reference to Alaskan Natives policy for the 1980's.

.._ 1 .? Recognizing theimportance of including When the conference was designated as a the special concerns of various subgroups of mini-White House Conference, these goals were elderly, the staff of the 1981 White House Con- retained, but clearly the overriding objective be- ference on Aging authorized a number of na- came the development of policy recommenda- tional organizations and universities to convene tions reflecting a consensus of the participants 26 "mini-White House Conferences on Aging." on the major issues facing Indian elders in the Each of these mini-conferences was to address 1980's. a specific aspect of aging, or concerns of a special group within the elderly population The mini- conferences were then t6

Rev Walter Moffeti Arlene Naquavourna Lawrence Birdsbir (Aberdeen Area) (Portland Area) (Phoenix Area) Directors Chairman, N1COA Board Secretary, N1COA Board A J/COA Board of

Sherman Lilian! Chatmeina White Horse (Central Area) (Minneapolis Area) Treasurer, NICOA Board NICOA Board oi 0u-4-c-tors

Joseph Aheyta, Sr (Albuquerque Area) and lessSteveris (Phoenix Area NICOA Cvnerai Couni,1 Members

3 -- perspectives was represented on each panel, in She gave an overview of the purposes and events the hope that this would stimulate and broaden of the WHCOA, and explained how delegates to discussion. the 1981 conference will be selected. She stressed At the close of.the conference, all participants theimportanceofsubstantialIndian/Alaskan gathered in a general plenary session to review Native representation at the WHCOA, to ensure the workshop recommendations, which were that Indian concerns are reflected in the final transformed into resolutions, and vote on their WHCOA recommendatiofis. adoption as official Conference actions. Workshop Allan Jemison, chairman of NICOA's Confer- proceedings were recorded and these proceed- ence Planning Committee, closed the morning ings, along with formal recommendations and session with an oiplanation. bf NICOA's confer- resolutions, became the basis of NICOA's tech- ence format. nical report to the White House Conference on Aging. Noon Luncheon. Conference participants were invited to a catered luncheon featuring as speaker Davidt .ster, Commissioner of the Administra- tion on Aging Commissioner Lester spoke of CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS AMA's commitment to the Indian elderly, empha- sizing the importance of the elders to the well - Approximately1,165 people attended the being of the Indian family and community. He 1900 National Indian Conference on Aging. Of said that aging programs must not only provide these, slightly more than half (592) were Indian services, but must effeoively enhance the active ekiers over 60 years of age. Other participants involvement of the elderly in the community. The included service providers, aging program admin- future of the Indian community, he said, is not istrators, planners, policy makers, and research- only in the hands of the youth but in the heart ers. More than 140 tribes were represented, as and soul of the elders. well as colleges, universities,, and federal, state, tribal and local programs concerned with aging First Set of Workshops. The first 15 workshops be- or Indian people. gan in the afternoon. These workshops focused on current problems and issues facing the elderly. Participants were asked to limit attendance to only CONFERENCE EVENTS one of the 15 workshops. Among the topics which drew the largest number of participants were in-home care, insti- The three days of the conference were filled tutional care, nutrition, transportation, urban In- with activities. Below is a brief review of events. dian elderly, the Indian Religious Freedom Act, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 and the Indian Child Welfare Act. Other work- Opening Session. The conference began with a shop topics addressed at this time included pen- general assembly of allpar.ticipants. They were sions and income, education for Indian elders, welcomed by the Rev Walter"Moffett, Chairman elders' role in vetucation of the youth, energy, the of the National Indian Council, on Aging, and VS. Census, biomedical research, and social re- Roberto Mondragon, Lieutenant' Governor of search. The workshops opened with brief presen- New Mexico. tations by the panelists, who spoke on current Following these introductory speeches, the programs and legislation. The workshops were keynote address was delivered by Ron Wood, then opened to discussion by participants. In most Director of the Navajo Division of Health Improve- workshops, the afternoon session was largely de- ment Services. Mr. Wood spoke on behalf of voted to identifying and discussing existing prob- Peter MacDonald, Navajo Tribal Chairman. He lems. The second half of the workshop, held the stressed both tribal and fecleral reponsibility to following morning, was generally spent in devel- develop Indian "agkng programs that meet cultural oping recommendations for action to alleviate needs and help mainta441,1he Indian way of life. the problems identified. Next On the agenda was Becky Washington Evening Entertainment. After a break for dinner, of the White House Conference on Aging staff. everyone was invited to return for an Indian dress

4 A

1114111101101111

Novaline Shipp, Long Term Care Planner forthe Absentee Shawne, Becky Washington of the White House discusses nursing homes Conference on Aging staff gives Sac-Fox and Iowa Tribes of Oklahoma, a television interview. with a workshop participant

Roberto Mondragonf.Lieutenant Governor of NewMexico, addresses conference participants at luncheon., .

A.10111111 -

Indian Some of the participants at Kenneth Tiger, Chairman of the Oklahoma the 1980 conference Count 1.1 on Aging and Patricia Woods,NICOA Council Member (Muskogee Area) prepare resolutions to be presented at the plenary session

5 BEST r L tut.0 Jr"

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A workshop participanLVers her views p. Clyde Bellecourt of the Ametican IndianMov.ement oil education analRhe jAiefly speaks on political ants's/0 and the elderly

Ce.1

TrAnsportation Wo'rkshop

OM.

David Rust, Minority Staff Director of the Jackie Swanson, Seattle Indian Health Board, George Effman, Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Albuquerque Indian Center and NICOA Council Member, Fernarto Torres -Gil, Special Assistant to the Randy Punley, National Urban Indian Council, and Gwen Secretary of Health and Human Services. discuss Minhaus, Denver Indian Center, consider the needs Title VI and the Administration on Aging of the cities' Indian elderly

6 intense, and review. Many participants hadbrought traditional shop sessions, discussions were often carried on their costumes with them tomodel in the review, and participants in many workshops time." dress of numerous tribes fromaround the coun- discussions well past "closing try was presented. Evening Entertainment. Overton )ames,Chief of The evening ended with aperformance of the Chickasaw Nation, was thefeatured speaker traditiOnal songs from a varrety oftribes, by Paul at the evening banquet. Mr.James spoke of the Ortega's mu'sic group. tribal generation gap and its effects onthe Indian elders. He urged that the young betaught to un- THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 derstand the old .ways and traditionalvalues In the morning, participantsreturned to the including the importance of the elders as anin- after- workshops they had attended the previous tegral part of the family. noon, and devotedthe morning to developing After the banquet a large crowdgathered for recommendations. the pow-wow, the biggest social eventof the con- Noon Luncheon. Dr. ArthurFlemming, Chairman ference. At the pow-wow, an 87-year-old woman of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission,addressed the was honored as theoldest conference partiCipant participants who attendedThursday's catered with the gift of a Pendleton blanket. luncheon. Dr. Flemmirigstressed-'that the civil rights legislation now on thebooks, including the Age-Discrimination Act, has yet tobe adequately FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 implemented. For example, he questionedwheth- In the morning, participants returned to their % er Title VIof the Older Americans Act,"Grants workshops of the previous afternoon, and spent for Indian Tribes,"is beingimplemented a the first two hours of the morning- developing discriminatory way. recommendations. Second Set of Workshops. Afterthe luncheon, the Minorities Panel. The morning concluded with a second set of workshops began.Whereas the "minorities panel" which was designed to give previous workshopsaddressed immediate prob- participants- ,insight into the problems faced by lems. the second set ofworkshops focused, like other minority elders. Representatives of the na- the WhiteHousettonference on Aging, on the tionalorganizationsforHispanic,Black, and coming decade. Participants werenow asked ro Pacific-Asian elderly were invited to speak on this identify the most critical problems,issues, and panel. Louise Kamikawa of the National Pacific concerns whichthey believe will confront the Asian Resource Center on Aging, andAndrew Indian elderly within the next 10 years.Recom- Bradley of the National Center and Caucus on the mendations developed in this session were tobe Black Aged, discussed their perspectives on the long-range and, if necessary. preventiverather issues facing minority elderly in theUnited States. than remedial. Ms. Kamikawa noted that the Pacific-Asian The TO workshops in this setcovered the top- minority includes 18 different cultural groups, but ics of culturalchange arid preservation, youth government agencies fail to recognize this diver- and elderly, elders' role intribal energy devel-w- sity in much the same w::y that all Indiantribes ment, institutional care,non-institutional care, are often lumped together. Like manyIndian income and pensions,research and policy drvel- elders, many Pacific-Asiani.elderly also face cul- opment, the future of theurban Indian elderly, tural and language Nrriers in obtaining needed political activism and the Indianelderly, and Title sere" es. Finally, Ms.16mikawa discussed the spe- VI of the Older Americans Act.Again, participants cial problems of Japanese Americans, many of were asked tolimit attendance to only one of whom, 'although American citizens, were held in these workshops. U.S detention camps during World War II. The format of the firstworkshops was re- Workshops opened with Mr. Bradley said the needs ofthe elderly are peated in this session. of the Black com- brief presentations by panelists,followed by audi- among the greatest concerns workshop participants re- munity, He noted that progress forBlack elderly ence discussion. The and difficult to achieve. convened in the morning to completethe devel- to date has been slow Black and Indian opment of recommendations. Asin the first work- Problem4 experienced by both 7 t 1 .). elderly include rural isolation and disproportion- ference body. Also presented were a number of ate difficulties in obtaining reeded services. resolutions developed earlier by individual tribes for endorsement at the conference.* Plenary Session. After a lunch break, participants vb.. gathered together for the final conference event, Cldking Speech. Alfred Elgin, executive director the *nary session. At this session workshop rec- of NICOA broughtkthe Third National Indian Conr ommendations were presented in the form of ference on Aging to a close. resolutions, tobe acted upon by the entire con-

C I

(

'Due to the unexpectedly large number of resolutions, some could not be addressed at the plenary session in the timeavailable. These were passed by a later meeting of the NICOA Executive Committee. All resolutions are included in the appendix of this report

8 1 WS.

CONFERENCE AGENDA

9ptember 8

9:00- 9:30 Welcome to the NICOA Conference Rev. Walter Moffett Chairman, NICOA

9:30-10:00 Wekome from the Governor's Office Roberto Mondragon , Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico Ron D. Wood, Director 10:00-11:00 Keynote Address Navajo Division of Health Improvement Services (repre- ,senting Peter MacDonald, Navajo Tribal Chairman)

A1:00-11:25 Overview of the White House Becky Washington Conference on Aging Staff, White House Conference on Aging Allan Jemison, Chairman 11:25-11:50 Overview of National Indian Conference on Aging NICOA Conference Planning Committe .David Lester, Commissione 12:00- 1:30 Luncheon Address Administration for Native. Americans

1:30- 3:00 BREAK 3:00- 5:00 First Series of Workshops Begins/

September 9

8:30-12:00 First Series of Workshops Continued 12:00- 1:30 Luncheon Address Dr. Arthur Flemming r CommiSsioner, U.S. Civil Rights

1:30- 5:00 Second Series of Workshop\Begins

5:00- 6:30 BREAK

6:30- 8:30 Banquet Speech Overton James i Q1hief, Chickasaw Nation 9:00 Pow-Wow r

September 10

9:00-11:00 Second Set of Workshops Continued Louise Ka mi k awa 11:00-12:00 Minorities Panel Pacific-Asian Resource Center on Aging .4 I,

Andrew Bradley National Caucus on \ the Black Aged Carmela Lacayo Asociacion Nacional 4, V Pro PersonasMayores (unable to attend) 12:00- 1:30 LUNCH BREAK 1:30- 4:45 f Plenary Session Allan Jemison, Chairman Conference on Planning .. Committee 4:45- 5:00 Closing Speech Alfred G. Elgin, Jr. Executive Director, NICOA

r 4

1'a 10 1

WORKSHOP 1, PROCEEDINGS e., I \

4 (\ INTRODUCTION

six The workshop discussions andrecommendations are summarized under the major subject areas identified by theWhite House Conference on Aging: Economic Older Americans as a Na- Sec y,Physical and Mental Health, Social Well-Being, tionaT Resource, Creating an Age-IntegratedSociety, and Research.

The proceedings ofThe workshops have been combined under these categories so that the majorthemes of the discussions could be emphasized moreclearly, and to stow how the workshopdiscussions will relate to th(topicrof particular interest to the White HouseConference on Aging.

13 ECONOMIC SECURITY

The two workshops related to this category were: Income and Pensions: What's in it for IndiSns? Income and Pensions: A Look to Floe Future. The workshops were designed to give participants the opportunity to define the economic and employment issues that are currently being encountered, as well as to examine the issues that are likely to arise during the next decade, taking into consideration current dethographic trends in the Indian and non- Indian populations.

BACKGROUND 4.....40tionally,there is currently a trend toward ployment on reservations averages 37%. (On some the view that older people are receiving more reservations, that rate goes as high as 95%!) Indi- than their fair share of -the American pie. In re- cations are that Indian elders fare even worse than cent years, federal officials have begtal to use the younger Indians do in the job market. Social Security program as an example of this im- Iri addition, few of today's Indian elderly were balance by stating that 25% of the federal budget employed in their youth, most having been in- is "earmarked" for the elderly. In fact, Social Se- volved in traditional subsistence economies and curity is not a function of the federal budget at lacking education and access to -the job market. all, because it does not require a congressional Those who were employed usually worked at appropriation. In addition, there have been study jobs which were not documentk for Social Se- groups established to review the soundness of curity purposes. Even rareris the ihdian elder to- the Social Security program. The review of the day who is lucky enough to be receiving a pen- "soundness" of the Social Security program has sion! been brought about by the realization that the According to the 1970 Census, over 50% of total American population is growing older, and the nation's Indian elderly had incomes below the number of older people is rapidly increasing. the poverty level, yet they receive far less than Currently, approximately 14% of the nation's pop- they are proportionately entitled to from the va- ulation is 60 years of age and over. It is estimated rious income entitlement programs. For example, that by the year 2000, 25% of the nation's popula- the 1970 Census showed that only 45% of Indians tion will be 60 and over. This change in demog- over 60 rlreived Social Security benefits a lower raphy has brought concern to the federal govern- rate than among the Anglo, Black, or Hispanic ment and Congress that the Social Security pro- elderly. Another factor,sA)ntributing to the low gram will become insolvent because the amount Indian participation in/these programs could be paid out in benefits will exceed the revenue com- the lower life expectancy of Indian people compared to their non-Indian cohorts. In 1970, an ing into the program. 4 It As for economic status of the Indian elderly, Indian'slife expectancy was approximately 60' it is even less "secure" than for most older Amer- years. By 1980, the estimate increased to 65 years, icans. In 1970, the median income level for elderly but, in comparison, the non-Indian life expectancy Indian men was $1,554 significantly below the in 1980 climbed to 73.3. This means that the aver- poverty level. For women, the figure was even age Indian person barely lives long enough to lower $1,162. The 1980 Census data is not ex- reach the age of eligibility for" most entitlement pected to change this picture significantly. programs. Those who do are not likely to collect What if the elderly would like to work? Un- benefits for as many years as their non-Indian employment rates among the Indian community counterparts. indicate that Indian people have difficulty finding The workshop participants identified several jobs and therefore wages. In 197,1, the median other factors that keep Indian elders from receiv- per capita income level for Indians on reserva- ing the income supports they are entitled to under tions was approximately $1,500 per year. Unem- existing programs. For example, as a result of the

14 complexity of rules. andregulationslgoverning only if necessary to obtain adequatefood, fuel, Federal entitlement programs such asSocial Se- housing and medical care the basics of life curity or Veterans Administration programs, many which many cannot afford today. Indian elderly never apply for benefits, or fail to During the 1971 White House Conference on complete the application process: Someof the Aging, the Special Concerns Session on the Indian regulations create realhardshipror Indian elders elderly identified a variety of concerns relating for example, tribal dividends mustbe counted to income security with the goalthat "the elderly as income when SSIeligibility is determined. In Indian citizen should have an income which addition, the Social Security program requires would permit him to live the rest of his life in documentation of quarters worked, of marriage, health, decency, and dignity." This goal is asval.id and of age all of which serve as barriers to util- now as it was a decade ago. ization of the programs. since thiskind of documentation doesn't exist for many of today's Indian WORKSHOP RECOMMENDATIONS elders! Anot ;er problem identifieu by the partici- As a result of the discussions that occurred pants as affecting all programsis the lack of out- in,the workshops, a number of recommendations reach and programmatic information being made emerged in addition to the formal resolutions that available to the Indian community. This is com- rwere presented and adopted inthe general as- pounded by the under-representation (usually sembly of the conference. The recommendations absence) of Indians as staff members of these va- are listed below, and resolutions arepresented in rious agencies. An additional administrativebar- the Appendix. rier is the length of the various forms that must 1. IHS and other medical facilities should pro- be filled out just to apply. vide medicine prescribed by physicians to all In short, the participants felt strongly that the elderly patients because of the limited income procesS of enrolling in entitlement programs is of most elderly. much too complicated and lengthy, and there is rarely sufficient assistance for the Indian elder to 2. Elderly entering institutional car.! should be negotiate the "system." allowed to exempt their assets and their in- being In the 'area of employment, the factthat cu- come where eligibility for services is rent l ws prohibit earning excess moneythrough considered. As it is, elderly with any assets or gainful employment perpetuates the poverty cycle savings are discriminated against and restrict- by discouraging elderly Indians from working. ed in allowable services. All too often, they feel, increases in the benefits 3. On reservations where manyelderly don't from one Federal program result in decreased speak English, bilingual Social Security Admin- benefits from another. istration personnel should be required. Finally, a charaCteristic of the Indian com- 4. Age 55 should become the normal retirement munity in the past has been the willingness of the age for determining SocialSecurity and pen- extended family to respond to the needs of their sion eligibility. elderlyrelatives. However, this family support and system isin serious jeopardy now as more and 5. There should be coordination of state more younger members go tourban areas to find Federal assistance programs so that an increase employment, leaving the elders at home to fend or liberalization in aFederal program does for themselves. The participants feel itis neces- not result in a loss of benefits under a state sary that this not continue,and that appropriate program. action must be taken to reverse this migrationof 6: Incentives should be developed to encourage the youth. families tocare for their elderly. For example, It should be made clear that theparticipants when a family takes in an elderly member, the were not asking for extravagantassistance, but person's benefits should not be decreased. only for adjustments in the existing system tomake 7. NICOA should include in this conference re- it possible for Indian elders to receive thebenefits port a directory of all members pfCongress they are entitled to along with all other American committees having jurisdiction senior citizens. They ask for additional assistance who sit. on

15 s. over aging programs Sand Indian Affairs. (SSI) should be increased from,$1500 to $2500. A guaranteed minimum dollar-level of income 19. A'separate eligibility criteria should be estab- for all retirees based on cost of living should 'lished for elderly that does not consider lease be established. income received yearly and/or savings as income. 9. Social Security should be financed by general

revenues. 14. 20. There needs to be a hirihg preference established with CETA to hire elders. 10. Ancillary services such as AFL IC,disability 'coverage, etc., should be expanded. 21. Title V employment services need to be increased to reach the tribal' level. The Title V 11. Social Security earnings and resources tests services should be direct funded to Indian. should be abolished for people over 65, ex- tribes. cept for dividend income. 22. Jobs should be provided for those who are 12. The six months waiting period between filing able and want to work. "They should not be for SocialSecurity and receipt of benefit denied because they're over 65; some are old should be ab6lished. at thirty, others young at 70." 13. The savings of the Indian elderly should be exempt from determination of eligibility, and SUMMARY c._further, burial benefits should be irrreased k* m either the Social Security Administration In general, the recommendations and resolu- or from tribal funds. tions submitted to the NICOA mini-conference on the Issue of income and employment are not 14. Earnints limitation for Social Security should new. In fact. some were presented to the 1971 be eliminated. White House Conference on Aging a decade ago. 15. The income and resource limits for Supple- A serious concern expressed by those attending mental Security Income, food stamps, and the workshops was the level of impact their input other income-tested programs should be in- will have on'this entire process. This is a legiti- creased insofar as possible. mate concern in light of the resurfacing and cycli- 16. Application forms for federal benefits pro- cal nature of their recommendations from the grams should be shortened and simplified. past. Too many older people and specifically, el- 17. Special programs shuuld be established to as- derly Indians, have gone for too long without. sure elderly Native American Indians aade- Inflation has demolished what they're recerving, quate level of income and to presenk that rules and regulations impede and perpetuate their income against inflation. dependence. Itis the hope of those who made 18: The allowable resource level under the Fed- these recommendations, that their concerns and eral Supplemental Security Income program Issues are seriously considered.

16 PHYSICAL ANDMENTAL HEALTH

The workshops in this category were: In3titutional Care and the Elderly: Where is it? Provision of In-Home Services to theElderly Nutrition and the Elderly Institutional Care for Tomorrow'sIndian Elderly future Non-Institutional Care: AComprehensive Approach? Together, these workshops providedAlkopportunity to define current institutional and non-institutional health needs of the Indian elderly, and recommendactions that will result in the alleviation ofthese needs. In addition, the format was designed tooutline future institutional and non-institutionalhealth needs of the Indian community over the nextdecade, taking into consideratioh -current demographic trends.

BACKGROUND Health Status. Health has surfaced on many oc- resources are available to theelderly in order to elder casions as an important issue affecting thelives purchase liquor. Many times this leaves the of the nation's older Indians. An indication of the withouttheresourcestppurchase required poor health encounteredby Indians is their lower staples. It should be noted that most Indian cul- life expectancy, which is approximately 10 years tures stress sharing and giving as veryde;irable behind the rest of the population (65 years vs. 73 qualities, so the elders often feel compelled to years in 1980). A numberof diseases, such as tu- share their resources if requested. On the one berculosis and diabetes, are much more prevalent hand it is good to give, but on the other, it is not among Indian elders than amongthe non-Indian good to starve! that if elderly. A recent national study conductedby A variety of recent studies has shown NICOA found that the rate of tuberculosis is five minority elders live to age 60, chnces aretheme times higher among the Indianelderly than will outlive their non-Indian counterparts and among the non-Indianelderly. There is also an will survive in better condition. Thisgeneraliza- exceptionally high rate of adult-onset diabetes. tion seems to be true of the Indian elderly aswell. On one reservation, 40% of all adultshave dia- For example, a study by the Associationof Ameri- found that of the betes. can Indian Physicians in 1978 Obesity, although not a disease, is a health total number of outpatient visits made by Indians problen, that increases the severity of certain dis- over age 45, 65% were madeby those between aged 64 eases and has beenidentified as a catalyst of other 45 and 64. The rate decreases for those health problems, such as heart disease and dia- to 74, then picks up again after age75. This may imply that those who manage to survive past age betes. Another health problem which affects the 65 are actdally healthier, as a group,than the Indian elderly is alcoholism although very few "young old." Indian elders are alcoholics. (In a study done by In the area of mental health,elderly Indians, suf- the Association of American IndianPhysicians in if they have any mental problem, are likely to 1978, only 4.8% of Indians treated foralcoholism fer from some type of neurosis, such as anxiety were sixty years or over.) But theproblem of alco- or depression. As it is withthe non-Indian elderly, holism among middle-aged and younger genera- the total number receiving mental health services low. How- tionsis contributing to the abuse of olderIn- in proportion to their population is dians. While physical abuse is relatively uncom- ever, in a study conductedby NICOA using the Indian mon, it is not unusual to hearof grandchildren Duke University OARS instrument, the or adult children asking for ortaking what little elderly rated significantly worse in mentalhealth

17 than the non-Indian elderly. Further research is "continuum of care." However, the development needed to determine whether this reflects the of this concept cannot begin until the various true picture. or is simply the result of using a ques- governmental agencies such as the Administration tionnaire that is not sensitive enough to. Indian, on Aging, the Bureau of-Indian-Affairs, the Indian` culture. HealthService, the AdministrationforNative Health Care. The Indian Health Service (IHS).pro- Americans, and the 'Health Care Financing Ad- vides comprehensive health services to Indians ministration begin to coordinate their efforts. living on or adjacent to Federal Indian. reservations or Alaskan Native villages. RECOMMENDATIONS / It's a common misconception that all Indians receive free health- care from IHS. But nearly all The%workshOps dealing with health issues urban Indians about half the total population were _Ivy ,well-attended,and produced a large are not served by IHS. Consequently, very few number of recommendations and resolutions, elderly Indians in the city seek out health care, The recommendations are listed below. Resolu- either because the cost of modern urban health tions are presented in the Appendix. ,care is too high or because the surroundings are 1. The closing of_ Indian Health ServIce hospitals toforeign.- Prevbritive care and dental teatment in several areas means alternative funds are are rarely sought. Most elderly urban Indians re- needed to keep them open. ceive emergency. medical care or none atall. 2. Attention needs to be given to the problem When urban' Indians do seek out health Cervices, ofmedical equipment, such as wheel chairs,. it is not uncommon for them to be refused service Walkers,hospital' beds.glasses,prostheses, from public agencies because of-the misconcep- etc., for which there is never enough tund- tion that IHS and BIA will take care Of them. (rig or thought given to replacement PI-ob- For the rural and reservation elders who,are served by IHS, other problems arise in spite of IHS's significant efforts and contributions. Lack 3. tAlre senior Indian centers need to be estab- of transportation was mentioned frequently in lished where elderly can meet, have meals, the workshops as one of the most serious barriers games. octivities; and companionship. to health care for reservation elders. 4. TitleIIIprograms need more volunteers. There are currTtly six nursing homes on In-_ dian reservations. is means that only 3% of thc4- The younger generation of Indian needs to 200 Indian reservations and rancherias in the U.S. become more''concerned about services for have nursing homes on their land. Most of the six the elderly. They were, cared for often by reservation nursing homes currently are under- grandparents, and now it's their turn to take 'staffed, over-crowded, and financially insecure. responsibility. If Shannas and Tobih's study of 1975 can be used 6. More funds need to be made available for as a guide, about 4,150 older Indians are in long home health demonstration grants to allow term care institutions currently. Obviously, the tribes to establish these vital programs. great majority of these are in off -reservation nurs- 7. In-home services need to be increased. Again, ing homes.r he removal ei these reservation more funds need to be made available to elders far from their families, their native lan- tribes for these services. guages, foods, and customs isoften a severe shock, leading to withdrawal and depression, 8. More homemakers should be provided' for even deathObviously, the need fornursing under Title VI or the Older Americans Act. homes is .0 problem that cannot be overlooked. 9. -Members of the Navajo tribe often live apart Workshop participants were alseo concerned from each other and from services. They need with the need to prevent premature ihstitution- better health services in the homes. alization by providing itt-home and supportive services such as nutrition, transportation, home- 10. The age limit for in-home and other related maker, home health, employment programs. and services needs to be lowered in order to serve so on. Participants felt that such programs are and more of the needy elderly. will continue to be vital components in the total 11. There needs to be more coordination be-

18 allocated to tween the agencies workingin the home 24. More training funds need to be elderly. A health care field and related services. train people to work with Indian greater emphasis should beplaced on seek- 12. Transportationfunds and services need to be ing middle-agedand eld,r., to workin aging delivery increased to allow for greater service programs. outreach, CHR, home health. 25. Middle-aged peopleideally should be the 13. In some areas (notably the Navajoarea) in- ones trained to workwith the elderly. terpreters are needed inconjunction with 26.In general, more funds are neededfor work transportationserviceswhen monolingual elderly have errands, appointments, etc.dur- with the elderly, and more people need to ing which they have to interactwith others be trained for this work. who don't know their language. 27. The Federal government needs tobe edu- 14. Interpreters should be hired towork with cated that even though some ofthe tribes need elders as out-reach workers orInformation have small population counts that the should not and Referral Technicians. Funding shouldbe for vital services is still preat. There for eli- made available for this. be a minimum population required gibility for grants. 15. Every community needs aninformation and referral service foNhealth services for the 28. More funds need to beallocated, over-all for chronically ill. PlanniAg, training and research Indian aging programs. for the community could come fromthis cen- 29. Tribes should be able todetermine their own tral source. needs and service delivery concepts i.e., should be 16. Better basic information onall titles and pro- direct funding. Title VI programs grams should be provided s0-lat everyone written so as to be more understandable to phrased. can understand howand why the services Indians and less bureaucratically are provided. 30. More tribes should apply for andutilize Title VI, direct funding. TheFederal government 17. A system to develop more program awareness various di- needs to be devised: how to get benefits; needs to allocate more funds for where to get benefits; what program titles are rect funding programs. available o the elderly, etc. 31. There needs to be increasedcoordination at levels with 18. Workshofor tribal elders on the use of the state (county) and Federal Medical. and Medicare should be provided; tribal aging programs. better of these services could thus be 32. Plans need to be developed todeal with the accoplashed. BIA to make it more supportiveof elderly 19. Assi tance need, to beprovided to the elderly needs. in a plying for 551, food stamps, etc. 33. A special aging desk should beestablished in heard, stamp regulationsshould be made more Washir7ton where Indians can be 20. Fos solved. flxible. Direct funding to reservation pro- compli.nts dealt with, and problems grams should be madeavailable. "We. have been shelved longenoug"" 21. More emphasis needs to beplaced on training elders to ,advocate at the local, stateand SUMMARY national levels for their own programs. Health status of the Indian elderly, asindi- 22. Individuals performing services for theelderly cated by life expectancy and disease rates,is sig- need to educate themselves better inperform- nificagtly below that of the general U.S.popula- ing their role. tion. Recommendations were trade toimprove se dealt with the 23, Tribal programadMinistrators need training health care, although few of t to make them aware of thetribal elderly who need for improved long termare for older In- will come under their programs, and alsoof dians. This may reflect the conrn of participants what funds and programs are available. for their current rather thanuture needs.

19 I I tit SOCIAL WELL-BEING

Five workshops were related to the topic of social well-being: Transportation Services - Basics Energy and the Elderly Indian The Cities' Elderly Indian The Future of the Cities' Elderly Indian The Administration on Aging and Title VI. Where to Now?

BACKGROUND Although a number of very different Indian as a means of strengthening tr itional values and cultures exist in the U.S. today, traditionally all seeing that elders are providewith the kind of tribes. respected and valued the elder for his wis- care they prefer. dom and experience, and hontired the elder as In addition to the natural support network the repository of tribal culture and histoiy. The provided in varying degrees by family and kin, elder was the key to ensuring preservation of tribal most elders have available some aspects of a for- culture for another generation. In addition, the mal support network. If services exist on reserva- family has always been valued highly in Indian tions, they may be provided by the tribe, county, cultures. The elders helped to teach and care for state, or Federal government, The tribal govern- younger generations, and were in turn respected ment and its level of self-determination can have and cared for by the extended family. an important effect on the well-being of reserva- Today, with tne impact of modern society, tion elderly. On reservations where the tribal gov- these cultural norms are changing. The elders' tra- ernment has taken the needs of 4he elderly to ditional knowledge jnd wisdomisoftenless heart, their lives have been greatly improved. respected than befo, as other kinds of knowl- In urban areas, elders cannot take advan- edge appear more vital to many younger people. tage of tribal services or, usually, of Indian Health In addition, the extended family is often no longer Service programs. Although nearly every urban intact as family members go to the cities for edu- area has services for the elderly, almost no Indian cation or jobs, leaving the elders without the elders participated in these programs. One reason family support systems they could have relied on is that urban services are almost never geared to- in the past. Elders in urban areas (approximately ward Indian elderly, who prefer to go to organ- 48% of all Indian elders) tend to find themselves izations established by and for Indian people. without traditional supports as the circle of avail- Other barriers to service include lack of skill in able family members is reduced, and family mem- speaking, reading, or writing English; misinformed bers are away from the home for jobs or school, service providers who try to send the elderly back or are debilitated by alcoholism. to the reservation for services they are entitled to Nevertheless, for most Indian elders the fam- in the city; transportation problems; and lack of ily is still the primary source of services and sup- outreach to Indian elderly. "Invisibility" of Indian port. Studies show that although proportionately elders in the city is also a problem. The National more Indian elders call upon the social services Urban Indiali Council estimates that although network at some time than the general popula- nearly half the elderly Indian population live in tion does, the elders' use of these formal systems cities, they comprise no more than 1-5% of the is more sporadic and infrequent. Workshop par- total population in any .major city, and only 0.4% ticipants agreed that development of services that of the entire U.S. population. enhance the existing tendency toward family care Participants agreed that housing and trans- (e.g. in-home services, respite care, reimburse- portation are two of the most serious problems ment of family members for care of the elderly) facingIndian elders, whether urban or rural. would be welcomed by the Indian community Overall, Indian housing is of poorer quality and

20 3.

and is more crowded than dwellings ofthe general Many reservations roads are unpaved, weather population. A. national needs assessmentof the consequently impassable during winter Indian elderly, completed by NICOA in 1980, or heavy rains. On allbut the main highways on show.ed that the housing stock ofIndian elders the Navajo Reservation, forkexample, the snow months out is ol4or dilapidated, with 26% ofthe housing con- and mud limit transportation for six strUcidtlyricr to 1939. Twenty-five percent of the of the year.In today's society, with traditional dwindling and the migra-_ elders &urveyed reported bedrooms occupiedby means of subsistence elders left on three or more persons, and thisindication of tion of youth to urban areas, the overcrowded conditions is supported by U.S.Cen- remote areas of thereservation find it extremely life, such s,% data showing three times as many Indian resi- difficult to obtain even the essentials of nces housing seven or more persons asin the as food, clothing, woodand water. neral population. In 1979-1980, theelderly, re- Sky-rocketing energy costs have deepened d service outages of heat, water, andtoilet both housing and transportation concernswithin ems at rates of 20%, 24%and 15% respectively; the past few years. Weatherization ofhomes, fuel 44% of all Alaskan respondentsreported they suf- assistance, and increaied funding forreservation fered a heat outage during the precedingwinter. transportation services are sorely needed. The 1970 Census showed that 26.3%of Indian In addition, Federal matchingrequirements housing units had no plumbing, compared to for, housing and transportation programs,and 5.5% in the general population.Only 50% of rural requirements that. land be used ascollateral for Indian homes had complete bathrooms in 1970, housing programs (land in Federal truststatils, and a third lacked piped water.Since the elderly such as reservation lands, cannot be used ascol- tend to live in the most traditionalhomes, they lateral) effectively bar Indian tribes frompartici- likely account for a large percentage of thishous- pating in desperately-needed programs. ing. In addition, the sanitationproblems caused At least some services areavailable for elders by lack of running water and plumbingfacilities on mostreservations,oftenincluding Older contribute to the high rates of diseasessuch as Americans Act nutrition programs, IndianHealth tuberculosis among the Indianpopulation. Large Service programs, and possibly HUD programs. numbers of Indian dwellings, especially on reser- Despite the existence of these services on most vations, also lack electricity andtelephone service. reservations, however, a national needs assess- Transportation is another severe problemfor ment conducted by NICOAindicates that the-ex-. Indian elderly, urban and rural.Itis one of the tent to which needs are met isinadequate. Work- services most frequently requestedby Indian shop participants cited a number offactors for elders and is probably the top priorityfor all In- this inadequacy, including transportationprob- dian aging programs, since most Indianelders are lems, lack of service coordination, lack of out- not in a position to own ordrive an automobile. reach, and failure of state and federal programs Urban elders, especially those who areilliterate to respond to Indian cultural norms. or not proficient inEnglish, often find available Title VI of the Older Americans Act was public transportation frightening anddifficult to passed in 1978 to respond to some ofthese con- comprehend. Urban service providers reportthat cerns. This legislation givestribes the option of extremely-few Indian elders make use of existing receiving funding for aging programsdirectly public transportation, causing manyurban elders from the Federal governrnent, bypassing the state. to remain confined to theirhomes or immediate It was developed to enhancetribal sovereignty neighborhoods, isolated from the company and (the autonomy of tribal governments) and togive assistance of others outside theirimmediate fam- tribes an _opportunity to develop-aging programs ily, and from needed medical and socialservices. that are better adapted to the cultureand needs Title VI pro- compounded of their own reservation. The first The transportation problem is October 1980. climate, and by remote- grams were funded in on reservations by severe Although the principle of direct funding has social services, shopping ness from health and been welcomed by Indian people, Title Vi cur- facilities, medical care and even telephone serv- that work- reservations are rently contains a number of restrictions ice. Road conditions on most shop participants found troubling. Forexample, very poor.

21 onlyFederally-recognizedtribesareeligible vironment and elderly preferences. And suffi- (which excludes urban programs and state-recog- dent funds be given to build this housing even nized tribes), a tribe or consortium of tribes must if it exceeds national costs. Minimum property have tt least 75 elders in order to qualify for fund- standards as they affect electricity, plumbing, ing; only those over 60 (or their spouses) are eli- water be waived to construct scattered gible id* Title VI services; and Title VI grantees site housing for elderly, if these expenses will are required to ensure that certain services are prevent the construction of a home for an being provided for their elders, thereby restrict- elderly person. ing tribes' ability to focus on the particular serv- 9. Nutrition programs for the elderly should be ices most needed by the elders on their reserva- ongoing, and the need for reliable nutrition tion. programs be recognized by the state and Federal agencies. RECOMMENDATIONS 10. Legal services for the elderly are needed to Workshop recommendations are listed be- deal with such areas as income protection, low. Formal resolutions may be found in the land resources, taxes and consumer fraud. Appendix. 11.The position of Health Care Ombudsman for 1. Federal programs serving Indians should be the Indian elderly should be established. This family-oriented, as the basis of Indian culture person would assist Indian aging programs in is the extended family. dealing wits Medicare, hoine care services, 2Increased transportation services are needed nursing homes, etc. for the elderly and for delivering meals to 12. NICOA should serve as d national contractor shut-ins. for employment services for elders (through 3. The Department of Transportation should pro- CETA, Green Thumb, ACTION, etc.). vide funds to purchase vehicles for adequate 13. The age limitation for service delivery should transportation of the elderly to meeting and be lowered to 45, and additional funds should feeding sites, and to necessary appointments. be allocated to serve this increased popula- Such funding should be adequate for main- tion .taming. . the vehicles and buying fuel. NICOA should play the lead in obtaining transporta- 14. Research is needed on the Indian elderly in tion services for the elderly. the following areas: nutrition; institutions; personnel at rest homes; physical and mental 4. The Department of Transportation should in- health. creaseits funding levels for programs that serve the Indian elderly and handicapped, 15. Increased appropriations for urban Indian and s;iould make these monies available to elderly programs are needed in the follow- tribes and Indian organizations through direct ing areas: transportation, housing and rental funding. subsidies,'in-home services, emergency medical care outside IHS areas, medical supplies, 5. Indiantribes should be exernpt from the equipment and after-care funds, assistance matching requirements for Department of forthe handicapped, assistance with high Transportation funds. utility rates, social activities, employment for 6 AoA should amend the transportation provi- the elderly, personnel for Indian elderly pro- sion, eliminating the requirement for match- grams, and more expanded urban Indian cen- ing funds in order to receive assistance. ters. 7. Specialized housing for the elderly is needed 16. A strong out-reach component should be which meets their physical as well as cultural devi..loped in order to identify and record the needs. Better services and funding'allocations barriersto services. (The Older Americans`--- are needed in this regard. Act provides for this, but it is seldom adhered 8. HUD regulations should be flexible to allow to.) tribes to build housing suitable to their en- 17. More urban Indian centers should be estab-

LI through contractual agreements. fished, both to meet present needsand needs of future urban Indian populations,which 27. The Older Americans Actshould be amended are inereasiiig.Many-cities have nowhere for specifically to include the responsibilitiesof Indians to go to voiceproblems ,N the BR, Department of Interior, IHS,and the Department of Health and HumanServices. 18. AoA, BIA, !HS, and ANA(Administration for Native Americans) shouldbecome more ac- 28. Appropriations for TitleVI should be in- tive advocating servicesfor the urban Indian creased at least by $25,000,000 toaddress the elderly. identified unmet needs. An allocationformula should be included in the regulations,which 19. Urban Indians need assistancein learning how is based on population, need, andrural/urban to profect and enforcetheir civil rights. factors. 20. The BIA should begin toprovide off-reserva- 29. The "red tape" on Title VIneeds to be cut tion Indians equal education opportunities down. with reservation people. 30. The head count for Title VIservices should be 21. NICOA, as a recognizedadvocate and spokes- eliminated as this will wipe out fundingfor and Alaskan native elders, man for Indian many smalltribes with real needs. A base allo- knowing that at least one-half of thenative cation should be given to eachtribe, and an population residesoff-reservation,should additional per capita amount be granted on sponsor one urbanslot from each NICOA re- top of the fixed base amount. gion to participate in the 1981White House services for Conference on Aging so that urbanIndians 31.States should provide "umbrella" Indian minorities so that small groups can may voice their concerns,ideas, and problems qualify for Federal services to theelderly or, as Indian peopleliving in urban areas. alternately, federal funding to statessl Juld 22. NICOA should coordinateefforts on behalf not have regulations aboutthe ,size of the of urban Irdians with theNational Urban In- groups to be served. dian Council, National Congress ofAmerican should insure Indians, National Tribal Chairmen'sAssocia- 32. The Administration On Aging locally de- tion, and others in the nationalIndian com- continued flexibility in meeting munications network, to better transmitinfor- termined needs without expanding resources needed, mation concerning AmericanIndians and Alas- in areas where services are not kan' native elders, particularlyurban elders. 33. Title VI of the Older AmericansAct should be 23. NICOA should work withthe above-men- amended to include services to tribal mem- tioned groups (#22) to determine theneeds bers living off the reservation through con- of the American Indian andAlaskan Native tractual agreements. elderly in the cities, and in thedevelopment 34. Title VI of the Older AmericansAct should be of appropriate policy andlegislative action. amended to include rural/urban Indiansfor direct funding. 24. Fundingdecisionsmade on the Area Agency level'should be made by a non-partisan group 35. TitleVI should be expanded toinclude a aware of theproblems of all elderly; such broader range of services, includingplanning/ groups should havefair minority representa- mobilization funds, and funds for demonstration. -lion/advocacy programs and modelprojects expand 25. The Administration on Aging must assumethe which would demonstrate methods to nutritional and other serv- lead role in the coordination of servicesand or improve social, funding efforts between the BIA and IHS to ices for all elderly Indian programs,including insure quality services to theIndian elderly. urban. 4ft, should recognize 36. AoA funds for the Indianelderly should be 26. The Federal government be able to tribes as political entities, as they do the states. transferred to ANA, which would Indians In this way tribes couldprovide services to provide direct funding to rural/urban their tribal members living off thereservation not now eligible for Title VI. .

23 37. Legislation providing goods and services to SUMMARY Native Americans should include rural/urban The social well-being of Indian elderly has groups. . been affected by the loss of traditional lifestyles 38. More emphasis needs to be placed on provid- and values, the breakdown of the extended fam- ing services for non-reservation rural Indian ily, and the imposition of non-Indian culture in elders. the form of legislation and regulations that require 39. Thb rules of selection at the 1981 White House compliance with Anglo value systems in order to Conference on Aging will again mean a very receive desperately-needed funding. Housing and small Indian delegation. These rules need to transportation are major concerns for both urban be ignored in the best interests, of self-deter- and reservation elderly, and it is clear that greater mination. NICOA should facilitate the selec- consideration must be given to the well-being of tion of 100 Indian delegates to the WHCOA. the Indian elderly residing in urban areas. This group should consist of reservation, ur- There is tremendous interest in direct-funding ban, and rural off-reservation Indians, and legislation such as Title VI to allow Indian tribes should be recognized as the official carrier and organizations to develop their own solutions of Indian concerns. to these problems.

24 OLDER AMERICANSAS A NATIONAL RESOURCE

Five workshops relate to this topic: The Indian Religious Freedom Act Education of the Indian Elderly American Indian Culture: The NextDecade Tribal Energy Development: The Tribal Elders' Role Political Activism, the Elderly, and the Future togethe is Culture. Basic to Indian culture isreligion, . Thekey word that brings all of the above workshops practiced in many ways and safeguarded by theIndian sous Freedom Act. Twoprogrammatic topics emerge one, educationand the Indian elderly,'whicis the only way culture canbe taught effectively; and two, tribal energy development,.whichrelates toe stewardship of the land.Political activism deals with the process of self-expression.

BACKGROUND The wealth of `he Indian communitylies in enhance the ability of Indian elders to pass on the value placed upon intangibles, such asculture, their heritage to younger generations. Recom- the preservation of family structures,and tribal mendations emphasized the need to strengthen the traditional extended family inordepto amplify beliefs. their To the vast population ofAmerica, number- the role of the grandparents in. teaching grandchildren the language, tribal customs, and ing 262 million people with anelderly population religion. Participants stressed the mutual respon- of 23 million, the Indian communityby compari- sibility oLeltrers and youth to ensure that the cul- sonismicroscopic, numbering just over one million with an elderly populationof 83,000. As ture is carried on. this minute population would Participants also felt that if the elders are to a national resource, fully exercise their role as a resource for their riot affect a statisticalvariance. To the Indian community, -however, without thisvalued resource, people, the area of education is critical. The elders the culture will die, the language will cease tobe stressed the need to modify hiring practices in spoken, and beliefs will no longerbe practiced. educational programs such as Johnson O'Malley Consequently, one of the greatest concerns 2nd Title IV-A of the Indian Education Act to.en- bilingual-bi- of the elderly is the preservationand revitalization courage the use of tribal elders as of their cultures: "We have tohave roots in order cultural teachers. The elders also noted the problem of defining bilingual education so that it fits to grow." It is in this areathat they feel their most important contributions canbe made. the needs of the community language grOup in Many elders feel that Indianculture is being relation to the majority culture. discipline, In addition to education of the youth,educa- lost. Such characteristics' as respect, them religious practice, knowledge of thetribal lan- tion for the elderly must be available to assist better guage, and the useof tribal ceremonies are on in leading a full and satisfying life, and to equip them to contribute to theirfamilies and the decline. Basic to the preservation, theteaching, the communities, the need authenticity of culture is the need toidentify just A special aspect of adult education is political ad- where culture begins. It is not something you re- to give elders the tools to carry out they believe are ceive at birth, nor is it inherent inthe blood; it vocacy to achieve the reforms has to be taught, and it has to bepracticed. It can- needed for their own well-being and the well- day text books as some being of the Indian community. not be found in modern youth or would suppose. But the Indian elderhas this In regard to education, whether for number knowledge through years of practice andtribal elders, workshop participants noted a tradition. Much discussion centered on ways to of questions that must be answeredduring the

25 I 4.-/ ( s planning process, for example: who sets priorities e) Many Indian religious artifacts are on dis- in education; what priorities should be set; what playin museums, others are stored in does the adult community want; and what roles warehouses and will never again be prop- should states and counties play in providing need- erly used inreligious ceremonies. ed educational services? In sum, the elders felt their greatest value RECOMMENDATIONS 3- as a resource for others was to actively ensure the Recommendations emerging from the work- preservation and revitalization of Indian culture. shops are listed below. Formal resolutions are But basic to preserving culture is the freedom presented in the Appendix. to practice one's beliefs and traditions. The Indian community did not share in the basic Constitu- 1. The nuclear and extended family should be tional rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of hap- strengthened by all possible means. piness until passage of the Citizenship Act of 1924. 2.All efforts should be bent toward retaining However, the most basic right to many Indian our Indian culture and identity. This includes people, the right to worship as one chooses, was language, way of life, religious practices and not granted until 1978, when the Indian Religious ceremonies. Freedom Act became law. Many Indian people 3. We must teach our children the Indian way still choose to worship as did their- ancestors. To of life, their religion, to help them face every- many, culture is religion, religion is culture: there day life, and discipline so they know right from is no separation. "To deny, or in any way limit the wrong. We must respect the elders when they practice of our culture, therefore, is to begin up- teach the children. rooting our very lives." Consequently, workshop participants ex- 4. Hiring practices in education programs such pressed deep concern that full religious freedom as Johnson O'Malley and Title IV-A of the In- is still not accorded to Indian people. Examples: dian Education Act should be revised to encourage use of tribal elders as bilingual-bi- a) Indian patients and inmates do not have cultural teachers. free access to tribal medicine men for 5. Bilingual education funds and programs either counsel or treatment. Priests, min- should be Increased. isters and rabbis are granted free access to , hospitals and penal institutions, and are 6. Elders should be given an enhanced role in treated with the dignity accorded to their educating youth in areas such as language Station in life. They are not searched; their preservation and instruction, and teaching religious sacraments are not inspected nor cultural realities such as traditional foods, feel- deseated. The same treatment and re- ings, and modes of perception, the elements spect 'snot afforded to Indian religious of control of one's life. leader 7. Foster Grandparents Programs should be expanded to include not only kindergarten chil- b) Indian inmates of most penal institutions dren, but students in elementary and high are not permitted to practice traditional school. religious rites. 8. The educational needs of the Indian elderly c) Officials at international borders stillre- need to be assessed, and the differences be- strict passage for attendance at religious tween needs and wants taken note of. The ceremonies, and refuse to allow religious needs in one geographical area will not be sacraments to betransported for the pur- the same as those in another. pose of worship. 9. Indian elders need training in managing the d) Sacred sites continue to be destroyed (for stresses and traumas of age, such as widow- example,floodingof Cherokee burial hood and illness; also in proper nutrition, how grounds by the Tellico Dam), and free to use time, coping with loneliness. This sort accessisnot permitted to other places of information should be taught before age deemed holy by tribal elders. 60.

26 state levels, but also atthe tribal level.) 10. Elderly need drug andalcohol education. Al- coholics need to learn there are manythings 22. Religious itemsdisplayedin museums, or they can still do, and that newfriends can be warehoused, should be returned totribes made at AA meetings.In association with upon request inorder that they may be prop- alcohol and drug education,there needs to be erly used in religious ceremonies. personal follow-up. community education and 23. The right to religious privacy mustbe guaran- 11. Elderly need coursesin understanding the teed. law, especially in regard towills, consumer have the right to prac- and rights 24. Indian students should education, loans, mortgages, taxes, tice their religious ceremonies. in general. should have the right to made available to the 25. Incarcerated Indians 12. Scholarships should be practice their religious ceremonies. elderly for training and educationfor administrative positions. 26. The rights and practicesof traditional medi- They should Indian colleges cine men need to be enforced. 13. Tuitionfor the elderly at be accorded access to hospitals,penal insti- should be waived. tutions, and other restricted areasjust as ,14. Transportation ofthe elderly to appropriate clergymen are. Medicine pouchesand other educational institutionsis a real need and items used in religious practiceshould not be should be addressed. inspected or desecrated. Indian medicine men 15. Education programs forolder people should 27. An organization of language of be adequately advertised. should be formed to review the the Indian Religious Freedom Actand make become more involved 16. Indian elders should recommendations to amend those areasfound in order in the process of tribal government to be unclear in the presentrendering of the change. to bring about. desired act. 17. The Indian ReligiousFreedom Act of 1978 needs revision to clarify existingambiguities. should be kept as a 18. Religious ceremonies SUMMARY sacred tradition among tribalmembers only. de- Many elders felt that religious ceremonieslose The future of the Indian community is their sense of tradition and importancewhen pendent on several factors, Culture being the people outside the tribe are allOwed toview cornerstone. But cultureisnot something in- these tribal events. herent in a people. It must be taught and it must be practiced. The Indian elder has thisknowledge international borders for the 19. Free passage ovker a treasure beyond price that mustbe cultivated paNicipation in religious cere- purpose of and properly utilized in order that Indianculture monies must be provided. may be preserved. 20. There should be provisionsmade for free Recommendations focused on virays to en- access of tribalmembers to sacred sites and hance the role of the elders as the cultural re- other areas deemed holy by thetribal elders. source of their people, and on ways to ensurethe freedom of Indian people to practice their tradi- 21. A program to preserve thesesacred sites needs to be a priority notonly at the Federal and tions and beliefs.

27 CREATIN(GANArGE4NTEGRATEDSOCIETY

Three workshops addressed this topic: The Elderly and the Indian Child Welfare Act

The Elderly, Education, and the Youth a Youth and Elderly in the Next Decade Each of these workshops explored ways to bring the generations together and strengthen th4'*itond between young and old. Thus, these works/yaps felate naturally to those discussed in theprevious?hapter, Older Americans as a National Resource. In those workshops, participants concluded th t the elders' greatest contributions could be made in teaching the youth about their culture andtriba heritage.

BACKGROUND The Indian people have traditionally main- merly, it was the elders who guided -the affairs tained a very close-knit society. Children, young of the tribe, and a few tribes are returning to that men and women, and the elderly lived together concept with the development of advisory coun- in extended families caring for each other and cils of elders to assist the tribal council in govern- enjoying the mutual company. This societal bond ing. has been weakened by the acculturation of Indian Workshop participants also stressed the need people and by factors such as increased mobility, to offer assistance to families who want to care education, inter-tribal and inter-racial marriages, for their elders in the home. In many cases, both termination of Indian reservations, and the Bu- the elders and their families would prefer that reau of Indian Affairs relocation program. elders be cared for within the family setting in One of the most frequently expressed of all accord with traditional values, but the families concerns at the conference was the weakening simply lack the resources to offer this care. Work- of the extended family, and the declining role of shop discussions emphasized the need for as- the elders as teachers and advisors to younger sistance and incentives such as training of adult generations. children to care properly for an ailing parent; An important aspect of this problem is the availability of respite care and other in-home large outflux of younger Indian people from the supportive services; and reimbursement of a fam- reservations to seek education or employment. ily member for care of the elder. Currently, half the Indian population lives in cities. Other workshop discussions focused on the This "urban migration" weakens intergenerational problems facing Indian youth, and the relation- bonds, removes young children from ongoing ship between the young and old. Many young socialization in Indian culture, and often leaves people, both on and off the reservation, are grow- the elders without the care and companionship ing up today with little knowledge of their tribal formerly provided by the extended family. Be- culture or history. Fluency in speaking the tribal cause of these problems, the elders view eco- languages has decreased tremendously over the nomic development on the reservations as critical last two generations. , to maintaining the social fabric of Indian life. "We The elders expressed a strong desire to be- must provide jobs so our young people can stay come more involved in public education as a on the reservation." means of counteracting these trends. The work- Other measures are needed to increase the shop participants felt that the elderly can and elders' involvement in and contribution" to the should become a vital part of the educational community. One example of suchmeasfres:ex- system. by providing instruction in the schools. pansion of employment opportunities for those Classes in the native language, tribal history and over 60, including CETA slots for elders. Partici- tradition activities could be taught by the el- pants also recommended that tribes increasethe derly. W rkshop participants recommended that involvement of elders in tribal, government. For- hiring pra tices in education programs such as

.;.**4\ 28 Johnson O'Malley aIf> d Title IV-A of the Indian passed in 1978, was designed to stem thegrowing Education Art he revised to encourage employ- percentage of Indian childrenwho were being adoptive ment of tribal elders asbilingual-bicultural teach- placed in non-Indian homes for foster or ers. The FosterGrandparents Program, funded care. The philosophybehind this legislation is that by ACTION, has provided some opportunityfor the extended family and the tribal family isthe the elderly to work with the youth in theschool best environment for Indian children.The law setting. In the four tribes which currently operate grants jurisdiction over Indianchildren on reser- a-Foster Grandparents Program, the programhas vations to the tribal courts, and requiresthat every helped the youth establish a better understanding effort be made to place Indian children inIndian of thjir cultural heritage. homes, preferably with a member of their ex- In the next decade, the Indianelderly want tended family. This means that Indian grandpar- played an important to see emphasis placed oneducation To proceed ents, who have traditionally in this direction theelderly and parents of school role in training and caring for children, have an children must concur on educational goals for unusually high number of foster children in their indicated that 20-25% the 80's. care. A nationwide survey To enhance this effort. respective tribal coun- of all households headed by Indians aged 45 or cils need to demand that school boardsestablish older have ona or more foster children. An addi- the day. policies accordingly tional percentage care for children during In order for schools to utilize theelderly as Programs for the elderly which are age-segre- cultural resources, the Bureau of Indian Affairs gated exclude these children, and in essencebar and the Department of Education mustprovide the elder also from participating. An example which has been cited many times by the elderly is fundingIn line with this, the elderly would like to see the BIA grant fullauthority to the local the Title III-c nutrition program,whichitequires the full sc hool boards sothat they can self determine that any person under age 60 must pay curriculum needs as required to establish an in- cost of the meal. Many elderswho would like to tegrated society of generations participate inTitle 111-c programs simply cannot ...., afford to pay the cost of meals for theiggrand- As elders at the workshops said: children, and so do not participate. From the In- "Working with the youth is more im- dian perspective, such regulations not onlykeep portant than to tram the elderlyWe have elders fr'om needed services but alsoprohibit a so muchknowledgeand wisdom gained good opportunity for intergenerationallearning /min. just living which must be passed on and enjoyment 'to the youth or it will belost when we die RECOMMENDATIONS "The loss ot their c allure makesIndian Workshop recommendations are listed be- Youth like tumbleweeds with no roots, low. Formal resolutions are presented inthe Ap- drifting and moving about as the fashions pendix. and dictatesof white society change and flor'itiate Without roots, one cannot 1. Funding for the Indian ChildWelfare Act is grow currently $5.2 million, or about $250 per child. Funding should be increased, and should in- Some tribes have instituted programsde- lude provisions for training Indian profession- signed to record the knowledge of elderswhich als in fields such as social work. is made available tothe younger generation. The and programs emphasis in this instance is not only concern for 2. Bilingual education funds should be increased, and those programs ounger people, but for thetribe as a whole. Some which use older people as school aidesshould ot the programs institutedinclude the recording of history, religion, folklore, games andother ac- be maintained. 'sales on tape, film, or paper. linguistic projects 3 Foster Grandparent Programs shouldbe e also been initiated to preservethe native panded toprovideteachingtochil language. throughout elementary school and The Indian Child Welfare Act (P.L. 95-608), school.

29 ka 4. Indian educational facilities should include school boards so they can autonomously de- older Indian people, and ibe elderly should termine the curriculum needed to establish be kept informed of programs so they can an integrated s,,ciety of generations. make appropriate contributions. 8. Tribal Councils should demand that the school 5. The Bureau of Indian Affairs should not close boards establish policies and curricula that Indian schools. Elders see these closings as enhance the integration of generations and violations'of treaty rights, and consider it part the teaching of tribal culture in the schools. . of thegovenment's trust responsibility to the tribes to maintains schools for Indian children. SUMMARY A-- 6. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Depart- Itis the _overwhelming_ desire of the elders ment of Education should provide funds to that the next decade be used to bring the genera- utilize the elders as resources in the schools. tions together to ensure that Indiah culture will. 7. WA should grant full authority to the local be carried on by future generations.

30 RESEARCH

of research: Four workshops addressed the topic. The Elderly IndianPopu. lation: The Census Perspective Biomedical Research and theIndian Elderly Social Research: Just BeingSociable?

Research and PolicyDevelopment . elderly, make The workshops were designed toevaluate the current status of research on the Indian recommendations for future research, andconsider the role that research should play inpolicy development, program planning,and service delivery.

BACKGROUND .. The number of Indian elsierly is sure to grow In, addition, workshop participantsexpressed rapidly over the next decades, since thetotal In- concern about the quality ofthe research that has dian population is expanding (itsbirth rate is cur- been done. One of the over-riding concerns was rently higher than that of any otherpopulation the lack of sensitivity or relevance to Indiancul- research to date. Re- group in the U.S.),and at the same time the life tures and lifeways in most expectancy of Indian peopleis rising steadily, to search methodologies need to be adapted to meet life. 65 years in 1980. the cultural and political realities of Indian expanded The workshop participants agreedthat re- Areas of inquiry must be evaluated and search is needed to identify the characteristics to ensure that the needs, strengths,and charac- of this growing population. Suchresearch could teristics of the Indian elderly will be accurately provide the basis for effective policydevelopment reflected in the resulting data. One of the" most and for planning more appropriateservices for serious concerns of workshop participants was Indian elders. the overwhelming tendency of researchers to try It has become clear that research onthe non- to fit Indian elderly into the"non-Indian mold", of Indian elderly will not suffice for these purposes. rather than studying them within the context political For example, cultural differencesstrongly affect their tribal culture, history, values, and observed, the kinds of support networks available tothe realities. As many workshop participants elderly, the elders' preferences forhealth and one result of this tendency hasbeen a fauland social services, the role of the elderly infamily overly negative picture of Indian elders as and community, and so forth.Nutritional patterns, troubled versions of Anglo senior citizens. P I- disease rates, life expectancy, and otherbiomedi- icies and services designed on the basis of th. cal phenomena also differ sharplybetween the picture will not be adequate or appropriate. Indian and non-Indian populations.Workshop In addition, previous analyses of the Indian participants concludedthat research on these bio- elderly have often failed to recognize the tre- logical and cultural differences could provide mendous diversity within the Indian population. pol- the foundation for much-needed changes in More than 400 Indian groups, speaking over 250 ides and services to better respond tothe needs distinct languages, live in the U.S. today, and many of the Indian elderly. the of these groups differ strikingly in culture. Rough- The workshop discussions emphasized ly half of the U.S. Indian population reside in lack of data currently available on theIndian el- urban areas, with the remainder living on Feder- derly. Good research and reliable statistics onthe Indian elderly are very hard to find. Infact, per- ally or state-recognized reservations, or in non- tinent research in either the social orbiological reservation rural areas. Yet results of studies that sciences is sparse even when comparedwith the were limited to singlecommunities, reservations, extrapolated to the total In- amount of data available onelderly of other mi- or regions are often nority groups. dian population as though this diversity did not

31 exist.* Research to date has failed even to clearly, which are summarized below. Complete texts of address the nature and implications of this diver: formal resolutions are included in the Appendix. sity. 1. Important topics for future research include: Another aspect of the same issue is inter- nutrition; traditional herbal medicine; intergenerational diversity within the Indian popula- tribal comparisons of longevity, correlated tion; a phenomenon of even greater dimensions With variations in lifestyle;alcoholism and among the Indian than the non-Indian popula- alcohol abuse; comparisons of the aging pro- tion. Many of today's elders were raised in tra- cess in Indian populations and non-Indian ditional tribal lifestyles; in the Western U.S., for populations; investigation of the strengths and example, many elders speak little or no English. positive characteristics within the Indian com- In contrast, the majority of today's middle-aged munity which might serve as the foundation generation 'has had much more exposure to the for developing solutions to existing problems. non-Indian world, including education (frequently in off-reservation boarding schools). What will 2. Future Indian aging research should be di- be the-characteristics, needs, and choices of these rected less toward data processing and focus people . tomorrow's elderly? What long-range more on theory-building. plans should be made to accommodate this com- 3. Indian youth should'be encouraged to enter ing generation of elders'? Almost no research has fields of study which would prepare them to addressed this topic. conduct social or biological research. Related to this issue is the lack of research on significant life experiences of the Indian elder- 4. Once a tribe or community is selected as a ly and middle-aged. During these people's lives, research site, the elderly and other community major upheavals have been caused by Federal pol- members should be included and intimately icies such as the Indian Reorganizaten Act of involved in the research effort, including con- 1934, the BIA relocation program, termination of ceptual phases, design of methodology, and :Federal trust status for a number of reservations. interpretation of results. These events have undoubtedly left scars on the 5. Tribes should monitor and control research -elderly of today and tomorrow. The nature and being conducted on their land. extent of. those scars remain to be investigated. 6. Research should be mutually beneficial to the Workshop participants were also concerned Indian tribe or community and to the re- that most research on Indian elderly does not searchers. Mutual benefits should be identi- benefit the Indian community. The participants fied prior to the initiation of research, and a identified two reasons for this: (1) most research contract should be developed citing these has little relationship to the actual situation in the benefits and assuring thal findings will be cast community, and (2) veryjew researchers dissemin- withinNativeAmerican frameworks and ate their findings to the Indian community, and woi ldviews. those who do rarely put their findings in a form that is understandable to the non-scientist. 7. Confidentiality of local tribal residents who Finally, it was often noted that an increase volunteer as research subjects should be pro- in the number of Indian people trained to carry tected, perhaps through the use of culturally out research in the social or biological sciences sensitive, non-resident Indians. is badly needed, and would likely help to alleviate 8. Research methodS and procedures should be many of the problems identified in the research made less foreign to Native Americans workshops. through the adoption of a dual reporting system. To carry this out, in addition to the [COMMENDATIONS researcher's formal scientific report, a "lay- In the context of the issues discussed above, man's" version should be prepared for Iiidian articipants made numerous recommendations, elders, tribes or communities, which would be free from confusing numerical Manipulations t might, be noted that extrapolations of such data are made .ie research means yen more ,uncertain by the lack of accurate populatic711 sta- but would highlight who istics for Indians. within the context of the tribe.

32 .9. Prior research in the socialsciences seems findings and information are shared with tribal be used to have been initiated only tobenefit the aca- programs and key organizations to demic community. Research must reflect the at local, state and federallevels in developing needs of elders within a family and commu- responsive policy_ nity context and should organize aroundreal 15. The NICOA National Surveyfindings should problem solving and program development. be held up until involved groups ofIndians 10. Existing research is overwhelminglydirected are able to review and react tofindings. toward problems organized around needs de- 16. NICOA should provide Indiancommunities fined by titled programs in alcoholism, family with technical assistance and training to be- violence, etc. Negative portrayals often lead gin to do their own research in regard totheir to poor self-image among NativeAmericans. specific needs. A more positive-oriented researchdirection is necessary to capture a representative picture SUMMARY oftriballifestylesand toreflect existing strengths in tribes, communities, and families, Workshopparticipantsviewedculturally- and in the roles that elders assume in those appropriate research on the Indian elderly as criti- contexts. cal to the development of effective policies and major research projects sponsoredby services. 11. All Ji'pumber of concerns regardir ,vious re- NICOA should be closely coordinatedwith search were identified, including lack of data on tribal aging programs. Indian elderly; lack of cultural sensitivity and 12. Tribal aging programs and centersshould ae relevanceintheoretical frameworks, method- used in identifyingjand soliciting data fro ology and interpretation' of data; failure to Jc- Indian elderly. 14 nowledge diversity within the Indian popula- at 13. A'national effort should be madelay NICOA tion; k\ck of accountability of researchers to the to establish an 'office ofresearch-to ensure Iridian community; and shortage of Indian re- researchisdirected to. relevarit *vas and SeadterS. policy need: / Recommendations addressing these concerns - focused particularly on the issues of accountability central dis- 14. NICOA should develop a stranger and cultural appropriateness. semination ppgram to ensure that research

14 33' 4

APPENDIX A

WORKSHOP TOPICS AND PANELISTS

A," WORKSHOP TOPICS-ANDPANELISTS

Listed below is the fir'st set of workshops, thosefocusing on current problems and issuesfacing the Indian elderly.

Institutional Care and the Elderly:Where is it? .(Two sessions) nursing homes, The role of the Health Care FinanceAdministration and IHS as related to P.L. 94-437, hospices, and third party payments.

SESSION A SESSION B Michael Bird Maggii Gower Supervisory Social Worker Program Director Santa Fe (NM) Indian Hospital Americans for Indian Opportunity Indian Health Service Albuquerque, New Mexico

Steven Hardman Seth Henshaw Director, Oneida Nursing Home Director, Elderly Care Center De 'Pere, Wisconsin Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico

ATchur Lincoln Dale Lupu Director, Community Services Formerly with the Hillhaven Hospice Bureau of Indian Affairs, Albuquerque Area Tucson, Arizona

lake White Crow Eleanor Mc Noise F Executive Director, National IndianHealth Board Board Member, Inter-TribalL Friendship House Denver, Colorado Oakland, California Faye Shelby Director, Blackfeet Nursing Home Browning, Montana

Provision of In-home Services tothe Elderly The development of comprehensivesupportive services (e.g. daycare,homehealth-homemaker, chore services, etc.) for the Indianelderly.

Lottie Harrell Sophie Thompson Nutrition Aide Chief, Social Work Services Seminole Tribe Indian Health Service, Navajo Area Hollywood, Florida Patricia Woods Cynthia LaCounte NICOA Council Member (Muskogee Area) Director, Tribal Elders Program and Fort Belknap, Montana Human Services Director Chickasaw Nation Vesta Starkey Ada, Oklahoma Social Service Programs Indian Health S rvice, Albuquerque Area

35 , Transportation Services: Basics Discussion on the delivery of elderly transportation services and models of existing systems. I Robert Holmes Elizabeth Vwiite Director, Ute-Ouray Area Agency on Aging Director, Y,.na Indian Nation Fort Duchesne, Utah Area Agency Aging Toppenish, Washington Alice Norris Director, Wise Ones Program Papago Tribe Sells, Arizona

Nutrition and the Elderly

John Be lindo Jan Jones Executive Director Nutritionist National Indian Food and Nutrition Administration on Aging, Region VI Resource Center Dallas, Texas Denver, Co [brad° Morris Lewis Randle Durant Chief of field Operations Director, Elderly Nutrition Program Community Services Administration, Region VIII Gila River Indian Community Deem er, Colorado Sacaton, Arizona

ensions: What's in it for Indians? Discussion of problems and issues related to the provision of pensions. Various programs were described, most notably the Railroad Retirement program and the veterans' pension programs..

Louis Gonzalez William Kiehlbauch Veteran Service Officer Director, Albuquerque Area Veterans Administration Albuquerque Area Railroad Retirement Board

Rebecca Howerton Paul Van der Water Community Coordinator Acting Director, Office of Policy Development NICOA Access Project Social Security Administration Siletz Tribe Washington, D.C. Siletz, Oregon

36 1 The Indian Religious 'Freedom Act Discussion of religious values within the IndianCommunity and particularly among the Indian elderly. Both traditional and Western religions weresubjects of discussion.

Rev. Thomas Cook Paul Ortega Executive Director Traditional Medicine National Interfaith Coalition on Aging Mescalero, N.M. Athens, Georgia Rev. Walter Moffett 1 Chairman, Board of Directors NICOA (Portland Area)

The Elderly and the IndianChild Welfare Act Discussion of the provisions of the IndianChild Welfare Act and the implications andramifications of the act for the Indian elderly. .1 it

Jackie Gonzalez Nancy Tutthill Supervisory Social Worker Deputy Director Bureau of Indian Affairs, Albuquerque Area American Indian Law Center University of New Mexico Patti Marks Former Legislative Assistant \ Kenneth White U.S. Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs Director, Foster Grandparents Program Navajo Tribe Fort Defiance, Arizona

The Education of the IndianElderly A discussion of the Bureau ofIndian Affairs' and the Department of Education's currentprograms in adult education.

Dr. Willie Alire James Robertson Chief, Education Division Director, Adult Education All Indian Pueblo Council Ogiala Sio.,x Community College Albuquerque, New Mexico Pine Ridge, South Dakota

Cecelia Blanchard Clyde Sanchez NICOA General Council Member Tribal Administrative Interpreter (Anadarko Area) Acoma Pueblo Acomita, New Mexico

37 The Elderly, Education, and the Youth A discussion of the problems facing Indian youth, the relationship between the young and old in the field of education, and what is being done to bring the two together.

Dr. Eunice Baumann -Nekon Dr. Dean Jackson NICOA General Council Member President, Navajo Community College (New England Area) and Member, American Indian Higher Dan Honahni Education Consortium Project Director All IndaalPueblo Council - University of New Gerald Wilkinson Mexico Teacher Training Program Executive Director National Indian Youth Council Albuquerque, New Mexico

Energy and the Elderly Indian A discussion of the energy related problems of the Indian elderly and the impact of the current Administration's energy policy.

Roland Chico Nina Tortilla Housing Specialist Director, Aging Program American Indian Law Center Mescalero Apache Tribe University of New Mexico Mescalero, New Mexico

Loma Dahozy NICOA General Council Member (Navajo Area)

The Elderly Indian Population: The Census perspective A discussion of the methodology used in the compilation of the 1980 Census, and the findings of the Census as related to the Indian elderly.

Ronald Andrade Edna Paisano Executive Director Racial Statistics Branch, Population Division National Congress of American Indians U.S. Bureau of the Census Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C.

Ernest Jaramillo Community Services Specialist Bureau of the Census, Denver Regional Office

. 38 i

Bio-medical Research and the IndianElderly A discussion of issues,in the field of biomedicalresearch, including identification ofresearchable questions and areas needing additional research.

Dr. Frank Dukepoo" Dr. K. A. Jagannathan Director, Native. American Studies Acting Director, Division of Northern Arizona University Research and Evaluation (Formerly with the National Cancer Administration on Aging Institute, Washington, D.C.) Washington, D.C. Dr. Calvin Lang Department of Biochemistry University of Louisville

Social Research: lust beingsociable? A discussion of past and currentresearch efforts in the field of Indian aging, problemsof current research, and the role of the tribe in sanctioningresearch activities. Identification of the researchtopics in the field and implications for policy.

Dr. Ronald Lewis Dr. George SatterthWaite American Indian Training Program Statistics Department School of Social Welfare American University University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Dr. John Redhorse School of Social Work Arizona State University

The Cities' El,1 erly Indian A discussion of the problems faced bythelnd;n elderly in an urbanenvironment. Communities' response to the issue andthe role of various organi ations in thedelivery of services to this population.

George Barta Raymond Mastalish President, Board of Directors Executive Director National Urban Indian Council National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Washington, D.C. Executive Director Chauncina White Horse Sioux City (Iowa) American Indian Center NICOA Board of Directors Robert Carr (Minneapolis Area) Area Social Worker Bureau of Indian Affairs, Albuquerque Area Listed below is the second set of workshops, which focused on the issues andproblems that will face the Indian elderly in the 1980's. American Indian Culture: The next decade Discussions focused on the preservation of Indian values during the next decade, including such issues as: How can the precedent established by the Indian Religious Freedom Act be utilized to strengthen the values of the Indian community? How can it be utilizedio develop and mold social services programs? How can the e 'rcational system be structured to encourage this? How important are the arts and crafts of the Indiar, community?

Tillie Cavanaugh ee Motah Senior Citizen Specialist hairman, Anadarko Area Indian United Indians of All Tribes Foundation Council on Aging Seattle, Washington awton, Oklahotha

Dr. Tom Holm Edward Mousse Political Science Department Private Consultant(PlayingSpecialist) University of Arizona Dr. Emery Sekaquaptewa Department of Anthropology Northern Arizona University

Youth and Elderly in the Next Decade Discussion on the development of intergenerational lin-dian programs. How -can the BIA and the Department of Education utilize the elderly in educational 4nstitutions? What are their policies regarding \ii4,he utilization of this resource? What role should the national Indian education organizations assume in e development of this policy? How can the Indian Child Welfare programbe instrumental in initiating this activity? How should the BIA and the Department of Education provide educational programs for tomorrow's elderly?

Dr. Dean Chavers Marceilus Williams President, Bacone College Oklahoma Indian Council on Aging Muskogee, Oklahoma

Juanita O'Cata Chief, Division of Education Bureau of Indian Affairs, Albuquerque Area

40 Tribal Energy Development:The tribal elders' role of Discussion of the .energy plans beingcontemplated kir the future. What should the Department Energy's policy be in the developmentof tribal energy resources? How can this policybe developed by the Indian community to be culturallyresponsive? How will these policies affect t equality of life of elderly Indians as related to clean air and water?

J. Lee Cook Margaret Knight Project Leader ,Tribal Elders Program Harlem, Montana San Juan Basin Regional Uranium Study Albuquerque, New Mexico Allan Jemison N1COA General Council Member (Central Area) Bearhead Swaney and Tribal Councilman Planner, Seneca Tribe and Irving, New York Air Quality Director Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Pablo, Montana

Institutional Care for Tomorrow'sIndian Elderly Discussion surrounding the topics of nursinghomes, hospices, and hospitals as related to the future health needs of the elderly. Included in theworkshop were discussions on the cultural values of the I.n- dian community and the development of anIndian-sensitive policy.

Maxine Chuculate Novaline Shipp American Indian/Alaskan Native Planner, Long Term Care Nurses Association Community Health Norman, Oklahoma Absentee Shawnee, Sac-Fox and Iowa Tribes of Oklahoma Betty Jumper Shawnee, Oklahoma Community Health Representative Seminole Tribe Pauline Tyndall Hollywood, Florida Comprehensive Health Office Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska Winnebago, Nebraska

41 4 sr Future Non-Institutional Care: A comprehensiveapproach? Discussion of the philosophy underlying the Older Americans Act in the provision of social services, including nutrition. Are current services appropriate? What types of services will be needed? What de- partments and agencies need to be involved?

David Lundberg Alice Norris I Navajo Nation Area Agency on Aging NICOA General Council Member Fort Defiance, Arizona (Phoenix Area) and Director, Wise Ones Program Papago Tribe Sells, Arizona -\

Income and Pensiops: A look to the future ..10- Discussion on the directions that tribes should take'in the development o:: a comprehensive tribal pension policy. Discussion also centered on the future. of the Social Security program and the issue of universal coverage. Is there a need for a guaranteed annual income? .

Kenneth Black Phyllis Borzi Executive Director Legislative Associate,.-Pension Task Force National Tribal Chairmen's Association Subcommittee on Labor-Management Relations Washington, D.C. Committee on Education and Labor U.S. House of Representatives t

Research and Policy Development Discussion of the role of research in the development of policy. How can research assist in the development of aging policy? What are the areas needing additional research to assist in the development of a national Indian policy on aging? What are the manpower requirements in the field of research and Indian aging in the next decade? What should tribes do to increase manpower in the field of aging, if needed?

Dr. Eddie Brown David Talayumptewa Office of Intergovernmental Operations Former Director, Rocky Mountain Arizona Department of Economic Security Native American Gerontology Center University of Utah Dr. George Satterthwaile Salt Lake City, Utah Statistics Department American University

42 t): The Future of the Cities'Elderly Indian Discussion of the country's future city-dwellingelderly Indian. What will they be like? Whatspecial circumstances/environment await them? What shouldbe the responsibilities of the local, state,and Federal government to this population? Is there aneed for a policy delineating these? What shouldbe the responsibilities of the BIA, IHS, and ANAin relation to this group?

George Effman Randy Pun ley NICOA General Council Member Technical Assistant and National Urban Indian Council Director, Albuquerque Urban Indian Center Denver, Colorado

David Lester Jackie Swanson Commissioner Resource Developer Administration for lNItive Americans Seattle Indian Health Board Washington, D.C. Seattle, Washington

Gwen Minhaus Program Director for Senior Citizens Denver Native Americans United Indian Center

The Administration on Aging andTitle VI: Where to 'now? Discussion on the structure and placementof the Administration on Aging within theDepartment AoA's Health 'andHuman Services. Should AoA's structureand placement be changed? What should of look like role be? How can the Indian communityhelp shape this new direction? What should Title IV in a decade? What are the directions itshould assume?

Richard Collins David Rust Navajo Nation Area Agency on Aging Minority Staff Director Fort Defiance, Arizona U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

Frances Holland Fernando Torres-Gil Division of State and Community Programs Assistant to the Secretary SeriCes Administration on Aging Department of Health and Human Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C.

/9 4

viimismilIMMI k

Political Activism, the Elderly, and the Future Discusssion of the potential political roles that the Indian elderly can assume in the next decade, focusing on the "Indian political scene" as it relates to the larger arena. The essence of coalition building, informing, educating and modes of political action. What can the Indian elderly do to promote their issues? What types of information systems need to be developed to provide this much-needed effort? Are Statewide Indian Councils on Aging an answer?

Elsie Basque Kenneth Tiger Boston Indian Council Chairman, Oklahoma Indian Council on Aging

Clyde Bellecourt American Indian Movement

44 APPENDIX B

CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS ECONOMIC SECURITY

This section presents resolutions which weredeveloped in two workshops, "Income and Pensions: What's in it. for Indians?" and "Income and Pensions A Look to the Future.

CONFERENCE RESOLUTION NO. 80-1 / WHEREAS, the needs of the elderly Native AmericanIndian population are unique, and WHEREAS, the Native American Indian populationhas made special contributions to American Life, and WHEREAS, national income maintenance programs cannotreflect these special needs and con-

, tributions,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED thatspecial programs be established to assure elderly Native American Indians an adequate level of incomeand to preserve that income against ihflation, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that theallowable resource level under the FederalSupplemental Security Income Program (551) be increased from$1500 to $2500.

CONFERENCE RESOLUTION NO. 80-2

WHEREAS,- earnings limitation for Social Securityshould be eliminated, and WHEREAS, the income and resource limitsfor Supplemental Security Income, Food Stamps,and other income-tested programs should beshortened and simplified,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that theconference participants support this resolution.

CONFERENCE RESOLUTION NO. 80-3 .

WHEREAS, our Indian elderly peoplehave very limited income, and WHEREAS, there are many requirements fortheir money, and WHEREAS, elderly people are constantly restrictedof their savings in`being determinedeligible for services such as institutional care,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the savingsof the Indian elderly be exempt from determination of eligibility.

47 CONFERENCE RESOLUTION NO. 80-4

WHEREAS, the amount given by Social Security for burial benefits is small ($255) and the cost of a funeral is great,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that .hf vial Security Administration burial benefits be increased to $350, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that tribes are urged to establish burial funds to supplement the burial payment available from Social Security, the Veterans Administration, and other government programs.

)

. 48 ,- PHYSICAL AND MENTALHEALTH

Resolutions presented in this section weredeveloped in the following workshops: "Institutional the Elderly"; "Nutrition and Care and the Elderly Where isit?". "Provision of In-Home Services-to Non-Institutional Care: A the Elderly"; "Institutional Carefor Tomorrow's Elderly", and "Future comprehensive approach?"

Conference Resolution No. 80-5 and WHEREAS, the Federal government hasadopted a policy of Indian self-determination, WHEREAS, present regulations asdesigned cause failure for the individual contractors toperform adequate services for tribes,

tribes and 44:lian NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVEDthat all government agencies contracting with organizations be required to review thetotal cost of the services actually beingprovraed including all costs of fringe benefits, all cost ofthe support provided by the tribal government itself. All governmentagencies should review their contractingprocedures to provide total paymentof services being provided.

Conference Resolution No. 80-6 of a grant WH.LIAS. there have been someFederal program regulations changed atter issuance or program that aredetrimental to Indian contractors, and WHEREAS, there is a definite lackof flexibility for negotiation betweenthe contractors and the funding agency, after NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVEDthat no Federal regulations be changed on a program a contract hasbeen issued that would be unfavorable tothe tribe or Indian organizations and that flexibility for negotiationbe included in all regulations applying to con- tracts and gr..nts.

Conference Resolution No. 80-7 while, concurrently, WHEREAS, the life expectancy ofthe nation's Indian population is increasing their total population is increasing,and within a comprehen- WHEREAS, the inevitability ofinstitutional care is a necessary component sive service delivery system,and within the WHEREAS, the needs of thefuture population of older Inc.nsmuste considered context of existingFederal agencies, laws. and regi ion,and the needs WHEREAS, these existing lawsand regulations have been shownto be insensitive to and` wishes of the Indian elderly,

49 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Fedgral agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service, Department of Housing sand Urban Development, the Administration on Aging, and other appropriate agencies, be required to review and revise any and all rules and regulations that are inconsistent with the Indian Com- munities' needs, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this review should include those areas relating to citizen participation; culture-based programming, training opportunities for aging program staff, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this review and evaluation be undertaken and submitted to the Indian community for their input by April 30, 1981.

Conference Resolution No. 80-8

WHEREAS, there is no apparent recognition by the Administration on Aging of the special legal relationship of American Indians and Alaskan Natives to the Congress of the United States,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that an Indian Desk be established within the Administra- tion on Aging.

Conference Resolution No. 80-9 WHEREAS, there is no apparent recognition of the problems of the Indian elderly within the BIA and IHS,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that an Aging Desk be established within the IHS and BIA with authority to provide advocacy and service for the elderly within these two agencies.

Conference Resolution No. 80-10

WHEREAS, the BIA has projected through 1983 a decreased needfor funds for social services, and WHEREAS, the BIA has not reported to Congress the appropriations needed to provide quality services to Indian elderly people as requested in 1971, 1976, 1978, and . WHEREAS, the BIA is by legislation responsible to provide a comprehensive service system to insure Indian elderly people are receiving ser.ices which promote their well being and strengthen Indian families,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the WA amend their appropriative request to the Presi- dent and Congress to include suffici ,nt appropriations to provide vitally needed and high quality services to Indian elderly, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this request be based on levels of need documented by tribal aging programs and the National Indian Council on Aging. ,&, 50 ,, . Conference Resolution No. 80-11 environmental and cultural WHEREAS, the Indian elderly havebeen subjected to numerous changes that have left them without ameaningful role, and elderly population are inap- WHEREAS, the differentgovernmental programs designed for the propriate to the needs of theIndian elderly, and WHEREAS, these programs have notadequately met the needs of theIndian elderly, and inconsistent with WHEREAS, some of the Federal programsfund Indian tribes in ways that are established Federal/Tribal relationships, include means NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that eligibilitycriteria for aging programs not testing and population counts,and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDthat funding levels be increased for. 1. Training tribal aging programpersonnel. 2. Home health programs; 3 Title VI of the Older Americans Act;". 4. Title V of the OlderAmericans Act; 5. Transportation programs,and . adopt the concept of direct BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDthat all Ft feral social services programs fur -!;ng, and thereby strengthenthe concept of self-determination.

Conference Resolution No, 80-12 available to every WHEREAS, provision of health careand accessibility to health care be made Indian regardless of tribal affiliation orlocation of residence, and and other agencies take WHEREAS, all efforts to developin-take systems by community resources into account and besensitive to unique tribal cultures,and services not be reduced WHEREAS, health care needs andfunding being.provided by existing from other existing resources, be exempt from all eligibilitycriteria NOW, THEREFORE, BE ITRESOLVED that land lease payments for health care services.

Conference Resolution No. 80-13 institu- WHEREAS. there has been an apparentfailure by social services contractors to inspect institutional care facilities, tions before placingelderly into nursing homes and other of elderly people be requiredfor NOW, THEREFORE, BE ITRESOLVED that a board composed each contractor to insure that eachinstitutional care facility to be utilizedbe inspected and approved before any funds areexpended to that hicility.

51 Conference Resolution No. 80-14 WHEREAS, elderly people with savings are restricted and discriminated against in regard to eligibility for institutional care services and stand to lose all their savings,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that all elderly citizens be allowed to exempt their assets and income upon entering institutional care.

Conference Resolution No. 80-15

WHEREAS, our elderly people have very limited income, and WHF.RFAS, there are many requirements for their money that must be used for personal needs,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that IHS and other health facilities be required to provide all medicines prescribed by the elderly patient's physician.

Conference Resolution No. 80-16

WHEREAS, :*ne workload of the Community Health Representative (CHR) Program is too great to be adequately met by the existing program, and WHEREAS, the CHR Program on reservations cannot fulfill the workload to meet the demand of our Indian elderly,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Department of Labor expand the CETA Program to adequately meet these needs.

Conference Resolution No. 80-17 WHEREAS, there are many Indian elderly who have no one to visit or look after them, and WHEREAS, there are many Indian elderly who have a desire to be helpful,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that programs be available to employ, on a part-time basis, elderly people to visit elderly people. Conference Resolution No. 80-18

WHEREAS, transportation has been lacking for Indian patients intransporting them to therapy and clinical appointments from nursing homes,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that funds be provided thru SSA orIHS to transport those patients and clients to receive proper health care.

Conference Resolution No. 80-19

WHEREAS, there is a need to furnish 'home delivered meals, with some nativefoods depending rt . on areas,with transpOttation for those who can get out, and home servicesand home health care for the home bound, and WHEREAS, existing homes. should be improved with energy use inmind, and WHEREAS; needed housing must be provided with enough money tobuild them right, and WHEREAS, meaningful jobs are needed for those able towork,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National IndianConference on Aging support this resolution.

Conference Resolution No. 80-20

WHEREAS, better transportation should be made availablefor elderly to nutrition sites, and WHEREAS, eligibility rules for Indian elderly should be revisedfor easier participation in the USDA Food Distribution Program, and WHEREAS, all tribal governments, organizations and affiliations. shouldbe more responsive and supportive of the NICOA and National Tribal Chairmen'sAssociation advocacy for nutrition and food programs for the elderly, and WHERLAS. Congress should appropriate sufficient funding for Title VI to meet100% of Indian elderly nutritional services to the elderly, and WHEREAS, Indian elderly programs should hire people morequalified and responsive for the delivery of nutritional services to the elderly,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference participants supportthis resolution.

53 I Conference Resoltion No. 80-21

I WHEREAS, elderly have culturally used certain f o ds all their' lives, and WHEREAS, to change this requires much time, e ucation, etc., and WHEREAS, in order to be a part of an on-going deliyery system,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that nativeoods, fruits, etc. be included in Federal nutrition packages, within daily nutrient al owances.

Conference Resolution No. 80-22

WHEREAS, action is needed on developing existing community support services to prevent premature and inappropriate institutionalization of elderly, and WHEREAS, Indian communities have existing'services and support systems which should be used as the foundations of building community support services which will keep elderly people independent in their home and community,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that training of workers be focused on how to work with the elderly, how to work together including: a) National Plan of Federat agencies serving Indian elderly on how their programs will sensitize and train their staff to provide in-home services. How to do case reviews? HOw to do Service Plans? b) Implementation of Home Health Care and In-Home Support Services, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that transportation problems. be decreased by having vans with wheel chair lifts made available, and BE. IT FURTHER RESOLVED that new programs be implemented in coordination as needed with existilig programs and services. The goal should be to reduce paperwork and increase service delivery, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that BIA, AoA, and other Federal agencies inform tribes of funds being made available and make a commitment of dollar amounts prior to tribes preparing proposals. Thi4 is necessary to insure expectations of elderly are not raised too high and that staff time is used wisely, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that nutritiona! study of RDA be done for Indian elderly, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that requirements for elderly paricipation in decision making on elderly programs at conferences, meetings, and other programs, be strengthened and financed with program funds, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that requirements that elderly preferences for food be implemented and that present policies be flexible to allow for cultural sensitivity and native foods in nutrition services, and

54 that NICOA increase trainingefforts for community SeniorCitizen BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED and Councils on methods they can use tomonitor and evaluate their aging programs plan more effective coordinationof their reservation servicesfor elderly. Specifically ' means to coordinate: CHR - Community Health Nurse Social Services Housing Services Transportation Other, and NICOA explain to the Federal agenciesthat the future non-insti- BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that given to able to their environment and elderlypreferences. And sufficient funds be standards as build this housing even ifit exceeds national costs. Minimum property 'scattered site hous- it affects electricity,plumbing, and water be waived to construct elderly ing for elderly, if these expenseswill prevent the construction of a home for an person, and agencies that the future non-insti- BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDthat NICOA explain tothe Federal tutional services the non-Indians are nowtalking about have existed throughtradi- tional ways in Indian communities.What is needed is not to invent newlanguage and programs and improvethem and increase their funding sothey can deliver the number and quality of services theIndian elderly now need andwill need in the future. be pos- First a coordination of BIA, IHS, AoA,1:50L, and other Federal resources must better, sible at the tribal level to removeregulations and to use the available services and immediately prepare a strat- BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDthat the National Indian Council on Aging that the most important Federal agencies toIndian aging programs meet egy to ir.sure and their Federal responsibilities and notwithdraw from their present commitments, Aging identify barriers to coor- BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDthat the National Indian Council on dination of services stillexisting in the present regulationsand request a national waiver of these regulations forIndian tribes, and the National Indian Council onAging advocate for direct fund- BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that elderly at the ing to tribes of Federal resourceswhich will improve services to Indian community level, and institutional care be changed BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDthat Federal policies which promote with the input of tribal elderlyand new policies be written withthe tribes which will insure,sthat elderly will be able to stayin their own home and communityuntil itis no longer possible,and should be provided on reservations BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDthat appropriate institutional care with the goal of returning theelderly to their family.

1 55 SOCIAL WELL-BEING

Resolutions presented in this section were developed in the following workshops: "Transporta- tion Services Basics"; The Cities' Elderly Indian"; "The Future of the Cities' Elderly Indian"; "The Administration on Aging and Title VI- Where to now?"; and "Energy and the Elderly Indian".

Conference Resolution No. 80-23 WHEREAS, there is an increasing number of persons 60 and above in the Indian and non-Indian I populations, and WHEREAS, the're is a need to improve the administration of aging programs to more effectively and appropriately meet the needs of the growing elderly population,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Conference on Aging recommends that the Administration on Aging be moved to a higher level as a separate department directly under the Assistant Secretary.

Conferente Resolution No. 80-24 WHEREAS, the Indian elderly residing in reservation and urban/rural communities are not receiving adequate levels of transportation services, and WHEREAS, the funds for providing these services in the Indian communities are less than adequate, and WHEREAS, some states are insensitive to the transportation needs of the Indian community, and WHEREAS, most Indian communities do not have the resources for the required match,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that serious consideration be given to the transportation needs of the nation's elderly Indian through the following action: 1. Increase funding levels for all Department of Transportation programs for Indian. elderly and handicapped, and 2. Allow direct funding of Indian tribes by the Department of Transportation, and 3. Exempt Indian tribes from meeting the required match for transportation funds.

56 C' Conference Resolution No. 80-25 and state levels, and WHEREAS, funds are funneledthrough non-profit organizations and regional WHEREAS, the Indian elders are notreceiving full benefits from this program,and WHEREAS, Indian tribes and organizations arealready administering CETA funds, andtherefore direct funding to Indian tribes andorganizations for employment forIndian elderly would provide greater cost benefitof employment funds,

NOW. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVEDthat NICOA support legislation toprovide direct funding to tribes for the GreenThumb Program (Title V).

Conference Resolution No. 80-26* Native elders, WHEREAS, NICOA is a recognizedadvocate and spokesman for Indian and Alaskan and WHEREAS, NICOA is going to participatein the 1981 White House Conference onAging (WHCOA), and and WHEREAS, the Indian and Alaskan Nativeelders are the strength of our communities, WHEREAS, at least half of theIndian population resides off-reservation,

NOW. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVEDthat NICOA sponsor one slotfrom each NICOA region for urban Indians in order that they shallbe able to participate in the forthcoming1981 WHCOA and be able to voicetheir concerns and ideas as Indian peopleliving in urban areas, and National Urban Indian Council BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDthat NICOA work together with the INUIC), the National Council ofAmerican Indians, the NationalTribal Chairmen's order to better Association, and the nationalIndian communications network in elders, and transmit information concerningAmerican Indian and Alaskan Native affiliations in determining the BE IT Fl 'RTHER RESOLVEDthat NICOA work with NUIC and it needs of the urban Amen( a9._Indianand Alaskan Native elderly, and inthe development of policy or legislative action.

Conference Resolution No. 80-27* and WHEREAS, the housing, health and incomeneeds of the 'urban Indian elderly are acute, failed to meet these needs, WHEREAS, the existiog serviceprovider agencies have generally

the Marc h 1961 NICOA Board of Directors At press time this resolution had notbeen ac ted upon It Will he presented at meeting

57 I

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that additional funding be made available to assist low- income urban Indian elderly in paying their utility bills, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that more housing for low-income elderly be made available, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that health care ombudsmen be established to assist Indian elders in receiving Medicare, home health care, and other needed health services, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that financial assistance be given to urban Indian elderly who require emergency hospitalization in non-Indian Health Service hospitals, or who must purchase prescription medications or medical devices from non-IHS clinics or phar- macies, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state and Federal agencies recognize and respond to theneed for nutrition programs specifically for the urban Indian elderly, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that existing service provider agencies receive additional funding to employ staff who are able to relate to Indian elderly.

Conference Resolution No. 80-28 WHEREAS, all urban Indian centers be encouraged to seek out and identify and maintain current data on elderly Indians residing in their respective areas, and WHEREAS, Indian Centers should be adequately funded to assure timely notification to the elderly of any pertinent information, and . WHEREAS, the urban Indian programs need additional funds to meet the needs of the urban elderly, and WHEREAS, the urban Indian programs need additional funds to expand services to reach all In- dian elders in need, and WHEREAS, there is a need to have lower taxes and lower rental units for elderly as well as burial insurance, and WHEREAS, the BIA should provide educational programs for Indian elderly, who should.be trained to work in aging programs,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Title VI be amended to include urban programs and organizations.

..... Conference Resolution No. 80-29 recognized tribes, and WHEREAS, Title VI does not providefunds for urban Indians/non-Federally problems WHEREAS, urban Indians andnon-Federally recognized tribes have socio-economic that need to be addressed, Indians, and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED thatTide VI be expanded to include urban of services, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Title VIbe expanded to include a broader range funds. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED thatthese services include planning/mobilization

Conferente Resolution No. 80-30

WHEREAS, Title VI has such a narrow focus,excluding delivery of services to bothnon-reservation rural and urban Indians, and especially in urban WHEREAS, Title III does not apply itself tothe needs of the elderly Indians, areas, and WHEREAS, Area Agencies on Aging .1 notfully understand the complexity of theurban Indian in their midst, and I. WHEREAS, Area Agencies on Aging areinclined to overlook the needs of theelder Indian, funds under Title NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED thatthe Administration on Aging provide VI, Older Americans Act, toIndian tribes and organizations not currentlyeligible for Title VI funds, and /advocacy programs on a BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED thatsaid funds be used for demonstration

national level, and . . which would demonstrate BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDthat said funds be used for model projects methods to improve or expand social services ornutrition services or otherwise promote the well being ofolder off-reservation Indians not nowentitled to Title VI funds.

Conference Resolution No. 80-31 because WHEREAS, small tribes have not hadthe option of direct funding for their aging programs of the requirement that Title VI granteeshave at least 75 persons over 60 yearsof age, and WHEREAS, many smaller tribes wouldprefer to receive direct funding,

.,. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVEDthat tribes and reservations not berequired to have 75 elders in order to receiveTitle VI funds.

( t t 59 U , . Conference Resolution No. 80-32

WHEREAS, Title VI of the Older Americans Act was intended to provide direct funding to Indian tribes to provide much needed social services for the Indian elderly, and WHEREAS, six million dollars was zppropriated in the first funding' cycle to provide all these much needed services but is not adequate, and WHEREAS, the Indian elderly look to their tribes and Indian organizations to provide these services, such as num...on, transportation, homemaker and home health services, outreach, legal services, and senior centers, and WHEREAS, the Indian elders are not receiving services through ether programs that are not trib- ally oriented,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that4he National Indian 'Conference on Aging recommends that the Congress of the United States appropriate dt least $50 million in order to ade- 'quately implement Title VI, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Administration on Aging ensure that regulations governing Title VI contain sufficient flexibility to meet locally determined needs without requir- ing expenditure of scarce resources on unneeded services.

Conference Resolution No. 80-33 1 WHEREAS, there is no apparent recognition within the Administration on Aging of the relationship between American Indians/Alaskan Natives and the government of the United States. and WHEREAS, an understanding of the responsibility of the tribes to provide social services through Title VI of the Older Americans Act is lacking,

..---e? NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that an Indian Decbe established within the Administra- tion on Aging to assure this understanding exists 7

t 60 t.. Conference Resolution No. 80-34 dif WHEREAS, there is a need for objectiveevaluation of Title VI,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that theNational Indian Conference on Agingrecommends that the Federal Council on Aging berequested and recommended to review and evaluate Title VI and report its findings toNICOA and>all Indian Councils on Aging.

Conference Resolution No. 80-35 levels of WHEREAS, the needs of the nation's Indianelderly are not being rifet through present funding for programs, and WHEREAS, the nation's Indian elderly havepersevered through years of physical and mentalabuse through the intercessions of the Federal government,and the WHEREAS, the different Federal agenciescharged with the responsibility of responding to needs of the Indian elderly are neglectingtheir responsibility, Conference NOW, THEREFORE. BE IT RESOLVED that theparticipants of the 1980 National Indian on Aging recommertdthat: of 1978, 1; Congress appropriate $25million for Title VI of the Older Americans Act 2) that the Bureau of IndianAffairs make public its responsibility tothe needs of the Indian elderly, and the Conference participants supportthe Navajo Tribe's efforts in this matter, griev- 3) Congress and the Federal governmentallow Indian tribes to discuss and settle ances among themselveswithout external involveMent, therebyreaffirming the concept of tribal sovereignty andIndian self-determination.

Conference Resolution No. 80-36

WHEREAS, the American Indian elderly have beenforgotten and neglected in the emergence of modern American Society, and WHEREAS, the American Indian elderly have sacrificed andgiven of themselves in the development of this country,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RE(OLVED that allreferences to elderly Native Arnericanas "Senior Citizens" be chantd to "Honored Citizens", and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, as at this conferencewhere registration fees are waived for persons 60 years of age and older, registrationfees for all -hondred citizens be waived at all meetings where any part of such meeting will pertain totlitxm and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED that all NativeAmericans and particularly the honored citizen, should not be required to pay entrancefees to national state parks or any public' lands, for- ests and waters; and fishing and huntinglicenses and permits should be provided free to all Native American Honored Citizens,and

'At press time, this resolution had not been acted upon It will he presented at the March J981 meeting ofthe NICOA Board of Directors

61 3E IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, as the nation's military Veteran, a e so honored by a monetary allowance to help defray burial exper,,es in many cases such burial is in a National cemetery maintained by federal funds so, too, should this official dignity be extended to the Native American Honored Citizen. Many Native Americans die in urban areas and, due simply to lack of funds, are buried in city cemeteries many in grossly neglected Potter's Fields. Itis forever sad and shameful to know that the sacred remains of these great people, who have given so much, shall never return to their ancestral ;ands. A sorrowful and deplorable denial due only to an artificial expense the honored ci ,,,n cannot afford, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that when viewed in the context of the infamous history of the in- truders to such locales as Sand Creek, Wounded Knee, Acoma Pueblo, the Trail of Tears, The Wallowa Valley and hundreds of other places throughout our land, the costs of implementing the above proposals should consider them all repaid a thou- sandfold and more.

) OLDER AMERICANS ASA NATIONAL RESOURCE

This section presents resolutionsdeveloped in the following workshops"The Indian Religious Indian Culture The next dec- Freedom Act Education of the Indian Elderly'', "American "Political Activism, The Elderly, ade'', "Tribal Energy DevelopmentThe tribal elders' role'', and and The Ft tore"

Conference Resolution No. 80-37

WHEREAS, spiritual beliefs permeate allof life, and spirit, WHEREAS, the health of all people especially elderly people requires a strong, healthy and * of the people WHERE AS, Indian health professionals areoften unfamiliar with the ,piritual aspects they serve,

NOV, THEREFORE, BE IF RESOLVEDthat all Indian Health Service Unitsand urban Indian health programs seek consultationand work with spiritual leaders of thepatients' choice whenever possible, and negotiated with individual BE Ir FURTHER RESOLVED that mattersof payment for consultation he spiritual leaders in a way that showshonor and respect to their beliefs.

Conference Resolution No. 80-38 Religious Freedom calls WHEREAS, Public Law 95-341 jointresolution 102 on American Indian attention to :ertain rightsof the American Indian with respect tothe religi2lis free- doms of traditional American Indians, and the various Federal de- IA HEREAS, Section 2 of theresolution calls upon the President to direct partments, age-icies and otherrelevant instrumentalitir..s to examine theregulations and procedural policies in consultationwith Native traditional religiousleaders and to report by August 11, 1979,the results of this evaluation, together with anyproced- ural or policy changes and furtherleHslative action indicated, and been made pub- WHEREAS, no such evaluation and reporthas been received by the Congress or lic to the parties concerned, and WHEREAS, this report is of crucial concern too' ier American Indian,. Federal, state and local \OVs, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVEDthat we respectfully urge upon the governments, the President,and all parties involved, that such a progressreport and evaluation he conpleted and publishedwithin the next 60 days

63 Conference Resolution No. 80-39

WHEREAS, the Indian peoples' reason(s) for existence and meaning in life arre- embodied intheir various religious practice(s), and traditton(s) and WHEREAS, the Indian peoples' uniqueness, oneness and beauty lie in the mystery of theirfaith and convictions,

NOW. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that 1) Preservation and access to sacred sites be maintained, 2) The right to recover religious items be honored, 3) The right to cross international borders freely for religious ceremonies/practices be maintained, 4) Incarcerated Indians be protected from abuse in practicing their religiousbeliefs, 5) The right to religious privacy be respected and honored, 6) The right to traditional hairstyles not be questioned, 7 The right of Indian students be judiciously maintained, 8) A Medicine Man Association be encouraged ,to safeguard traditional practice, 9) Indian food sources for healing and health be protected.

Conference Resolution No. 80-40

WHEREAS, there is a need for learning local native history, and WHEREAS, there are many resource people among the elderly, and WHEREAS, equal appropriations are needed to school districts, and WHEREAS. school policies should be improved pertaining to appropriations, and WHEREAS, district membership should be encouraged,

NOW. THEREFORE. BE IT RESOLVED that local action be implemented for improvement and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Indian elderly be utilized as a resource and the teaching be incorporated through tribal teaching programs

64 CREATING AN AGE-INTEGRATEDSOCIETY

Resolutions presented in this section weredeveloped in the following workshops: "The Elderly and the Indian Child Welfare Act'', "TheElderly, Education, and the Youth'', and "The Youthand Elderly in the Niext Decade- f / Conference Resolution No. 80-41

WHEREAS. there is a shortageof,trained Indian professionals to work iriareas such aspublic health, medical care services, energy related programsand particularly ; al work and services connected with theIndian elderly, and WHEREAS, there are no provisions in suchlegislation as the Indian Child W Act to train In- dian service workers, such as social workers, nordo there seem t any long range avisions of such plans to increase the.Indian professional pool tohelp implement the le:;islation, and WHEREAS, there is need to secure sufficientfunds to originate or continue professional training programs directed toIndian training needs and to provide sufficienttraineeships or scholarships foi such students undertaking suchtraining,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED thatCongress be urged to appropriate sufficientfunds for Indian protessional training in any billdirected to Indian interests that requires manpower forimplementation. and for the In- BE IT Ft RTHER RESOLVED that fundsspecifically be incorporated in the appropriation dian C Id Welfare At to be used for training Indian socialworkers at the graduate and undergraduate lesels t

Conference Resolution No. 80-42

WHEREAS, Public Law 95-608 the IndianChild Welfare Act, was mandated by Congressfor the purpose of protecting and preservingthe rights and welfare of Indian children,and WHEREAS, Public Law 95-608, the IndianChild Welfare Act, was funded by Congress inthe amount of 5.2 million dollars in Fiscal Year 1980,and WHEREAS, workshop pa)ricipants recognisethe urgent need for more adequate funding toallow effective implementation to meet the ur!queneeds of Indian children through Public Law 95-608.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED thatadditional funding in the amount of $27 million dollars be appropriated by Congress iii FY 1982and FY 1983 for Public Law 95-608, the Indian Child Welfare Act, to meet the vast needsaddressed by the Indian Child Wel- fare Ac t

65 Conference Resolution No. 80-43

WHEREAS, elders have valuable resources to 'offer Indian children. In many tribes, they are the culture bearers, and , WHEREAS, some Indian youth reflect low self-esteem and lack cultural identity, and WHEREAS, the elders and the youth including Indian handicapped children, need to be united in traditional cultural and educational programs, including schools and other.educational settings, with close contact over extended periods of time between elders and Indian youth, and WHEREAS, traditional Indian culture should be an integral part of the curriculum in schools educating Indian children and youth, and _AirtfiEREAS, funds should be provided to support these programs, and WHEREAS, Indian elders knowledgeable of their tribal cultures shouldbe formally credentialed to teach these subjects in the schools, and ...... r..,..~. WHEREAS, ways should be provided to record the old customs and ways of life of each tribe in order to preserve their culture. This could be recorded on tape or printed. The elderly could prove e an invaluable source of information on their customs and the old and current w of Inidian life, and WHEREAS, funds shotld be provided to Indian elders for their work in this area, and WHEREAS, the determination of ownership of these archives should be left to the Tribe, and WHEREAS, the determination of whether or not to copyright these materials should rest with the Tribe, and WHEREAS, Public law 95-561 established School Boards for Indian schools, but School 'Boards for non-contract schools still have limited authority and there is limited lepr sentation of the Indian elderly on these School Boards, and WHEREAS, the Bureau of Indian Affairs should be mandated to grant full authority to lo al School Boards and the School Boards should be mandated to have representation of the In- dian elderly on the School Boards, and WHEREAS, the Indian elderly want their language and culture taught, while the parents do not care or in some cases do not want it taught, and WHEREAS, there is a need for the elderly and the parents to get together and agree on the goals of education and to propose the goals to the School Boards and the Tribal Councils, and T.- WHEREAS, there is a national' dropout rate of 85 percent for Indian college students, and a dropout rate of 47 percent among Indian students in vocational institutes, and VLHEREAS, the tunds available for vocational education should be increased to educate more Indian youth and elderly in vocational instifutes, not taking any funds away from monies already made available for college programs, and VA tit RE AS, many of the Indian elderly attended Indian schools and are attached to these schools, and these sr hook are now being closed in violation of treaties, and tribal councils were not consulted prior to the closing of these schools, and \\ HERE AS the Bureau cat Indian Affairs sho,ld maintain Sc hook for Indian children as part of their trust responsibilities under treaties negotiated with the tribes. and

66 WHEREAS, under the Vocational Education Act, one perce,-!tof funds were set aside for Indians, to be matched by an equal amountfrom the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and BIA has not yet matched these funds, and WHEREAS, BIA should set aside funds tomatch funds already available under the VocationalEdu- cation Act, to provide an adequate programof vocational education,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that theNational Indian Conference on Aging supportthis resolution.

467 i RESEARCH

This section presents resolutions developed in the following workshops. "The Elderly Indian Pop- ulation The Census Perspective," "Bibmedical Research and the Indian Elderly," "Social Re- search. Just being sociable ?," and "Research and Policy Development."

, Conference ResOlution No 80-44

WHEREAS, there is no formal Indian research society, and WHEREAS, there is need for social research by urban, rural and reservation Indian people, and WHEREAS, social research documentation is needed for planning and development, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that an American Indian Research Committee be developed to explore and implement such a service.

Conference Resolution No. 80-45

WHEREAS, insofar as social research involves an ethical responsibility to represent an accurate account of culturally distinctive tribal lifestyles and a responsibility to preserve the basic strengths derived born tribal customs and tradition and a responsibility to promote the organization of health services that is compatible with tribal lifestyles,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that tribal government, as the legitimate and representative political unit of Indian people should assume a gatekeeper responsibility over research activities. Tribal governments should control the initiation of research to insure the protection of human subjects and the integrity of tribal customs and tradition, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that research investigating conditions of elders should involve participation by elders through the organization of a "council of elders" for each tribe. This "council of elders" would onitor initial stages of research to insure representative sampling procedures and teliminate language difficulties in research instruments. The "council" would f ler monitor the instruments. The "council" would further monitor the interpret bon of data to insure tribal accuracy and to avoid cultural dis- tortion, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that research must be accountable to tribes and communities. Mutual benefits should therefore be identified prior to the initiation of research and a con- trartual arrangement be drafted assuring that findings will be cast within Native Amer- ican theoretical frameworks and will fit a tribal world view, and

68 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that research methodsand procedures should be made less foreign to Native Americans through the adoption of dual reporting systemsdesigned to reduce errors in language translation and toretain accurate meaning of Native - American concepts. One reporting system shouldbe a version for elders and tribes which would be free from confusing numerical manipulations but wouldhighlight whiat the research means within the context of thetribe. From this a formal report incorporating data would be prepared to represent the tribe to outside institutions,and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that confidentialityof local tribal residents who volunteer as research subjects should be protected through the use of culturally sensitive, non -resident In- dians, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that prior research seems tohave been initiated to benefit an array of pi 3fessional disciplines,thatis, social work, anthropology, or psychology, andhas been subsequently too narrow in focus. Research must reflect the needsof elders within a family and community contextand should organize around real problem solving and program development, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that existingresearch is overwhelmingly directed toward problems organized around needs defined by titled programs in alcoholism,family violence, etc. Negative portrayals oftenresult, and lead to a question: How bad are we Native Americans? A more positive-oriented researchdirection is necessary to capture a representative picture of tribal lifestyles and to reflect existingstrengths in tribes, communities, and families and the roles that elders assume inthat context.

69 TRIBAL RESOLUTIONS

Reso lotions presented in this section were prepared by tribal groups prior tothe conference, and were submitted to the Plen'ary Session for passagealong with workshop resolutions. As such, these resolutions present the special concerns of particular tribes and reservations, with the endorse-. ment of the general assembly of the National Indian Conference on Aging.

Conference Resolution No. 80-46

Submitted by the

COLORADO RIVER INDIAN. TRIBES

WHEREAS, the senior c 'zens residing on the Colorado River Indian Reservation did meet in aWhite House Co ence on Aging, a Community Eorum in Parker, Arizona on August 15, 1980 for thpurposes of identifying problems, determining needs and raisingissues which affect the quality of their lives, and WHEREAS, many programs funded' by various levels of government designed to servethe needs of the elderly are also available to our seniors, and WHEREAS, each of these programs has eligibility criteria which often aredifferent from eligibility criteria of others, and WHEREAS, the different criteria have caused confusion and hardships to the elderly ofthe Colorado River Indian Reservation,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the agencies of all levels of governmentcoordinate their activities in order to establish a single set of eligibility criteria which isapplicable to all program services that are available to the nation's Indian elderly, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the eligibility criteria include: 1. That all Indians shall be eligible for all program services beginning withtheir 55th birthday, and 2. That income derived from trust property not be counted as income whendetermin- ing eligibility in the category.

Conference Resolution No. 80-47

Submitted by the

COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES

WHEREAS, the senior citizens of the Colorado RiverIndian Reservation did meet in a White House Conference on Aging forum in Parker, Arizona on August 15, 1980for the purpose of preparing for the 1981White House Conference on Aging, and WHEREAS, the concerns of the Indian aging are often times uniqueand different from other seg-, ments of the American community, and

70 WHEREAS, it appears that representation atthe White House Conference by AmericanIndians will be minimal at best, and WHEREAS, the States will be givenauthority to select delegates to the 1981 White HouseCor.ference on Aging,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED thatthe President of the United States authorizeadditional delegate positions specifically for AmericanIndians, of a number sufficient to insure an adequate representationof the National Indian Community, and Board of BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that theseadditional delegates be selected by the Executive the National Indian Council on Aging.

Conference Resolution No. 80-48

Submitted by

COLVILLE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF WASHINGTONSTATE HEALTH PROGRAMS

WHEREAS, the Colville Tribes andother tribes have legal services available for theirTribal elders, and WHEREAS, Colville Tribes' needs assessmentdid not identify legal services as a priority,and dollars that WHEPEAS, the requirement toallocate Title VI monies for leg 1 I services takes away could be used to implement NEEDED services, and WHEREAS, nutrition and informationand referral are required services; transportation,housing, sanitation and water are expressed needs ofIndian elderly,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED thatlegal services and other requirements of Title IIIshould not also be required by Title VIif the purpose of Title VI is to address the uniquecul- tural needs of Indian Tribes across the nation.

Conference Resolution No. 80-49

Submitted by the

CONFEDERATED TRIBES AND BANDS OF THE YAKIMAINDIAN NATION

WHEREAS, the Silent Witness to Whiteman'sSacred and Solemn Promise still stands guaranteed by the Fourteen Confederated Tribes and Bandsof the Yakima Indian Nation in the signing of the sacred document June 9, 1855 (Treaty 12Stat. 951) agreed and approved by both parties in conjunction ac such perpetuity,and

71 WHEREAS, on June 2, 1855 both Governor Stevens and General Palmer, representing the United states Government and the Territory of Washington, said to the native treaty maker chiefs, "I see you have brought many more old native people here to listen to the treaty making and I expect you have left many more old members at home. Therefore, if you enter into a treaty with us, then we will do them good both old and young and will bring food, clothing, blankets and other necessary things for their needs and wants," and WHEREAS, we are saying we are coming here together into a new era in the OLDER AMERICANS ACT to request and promote anew our past lifestyle as the first native people of the native country CREATED by the GREAT SPIRIT (Almighty God) and placed on the bosom of this part of the earth. Therefore the requeSt of the Fourteen Confederated Tribes and Bands of the said Yakima Nation are: t tducation 2. Health 3. Employment 4. Recreation 5. Exemption from Taxation 6. Respect for and the practice of customs, traditions, heritage, Christianity, discipline and integrity. 7. Gathering any and all CREATED native foods (roots and berries), game and fish. 8. Travel to neighboring tribes and bands. 9. And other necessary items in conjunction with our lifestyle since time immemorial. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we want the Older Americans Act funds to be made available for carrying out the above. We Are basing our needs and wants and are requesting, according to the action taken 1961 when the Older Americans Act was in discussion, that this act become law of this native co ntry which we are natives thrloughout the United States wholly and in freedom accordingly took part with our white brothers and sisters to make and keep this native country free from all destruction and invasion.

Conference Resolution No. 80-50*

Submitted by the

ALL TRIBES SENIOR CITIZENS PROGRAM DENVER, COLORADO

WHEREAS, An all tribes senior citizens program has been organized and established in Denver, Colorado namely the All Tribes Senior Citizens Program, and WHEREAS, service for all elderly has been curtailed or denied through misunderstandings by staff of the social services organizations and all other charity organizations, and WHEREAS, the federal government has no such provisions as monthly pensions, living expenses, nor any other forms of dole to these Indians as assumed by charitable organizations,and WHEREAS, individuals are denied service simply because they are Indian, and as such are not included in available head counts for services through benign neglect, and

*At press time, this resolution had not been acted upon, but will be presented at the March 1901 meeting --)f. the NICOA Board of Directors

72 WHEREAS, these American elderly have no meansof support otherwise, within any of the communities,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that a fund of$250,000 be established from any available or existing funds, in order that the needs-Of the Indian elders in Denver maybe addressed by the Denver All Tribes Senior Citizens Program.

Conference Resolution No. 80-51

Submitted by the

HOPI TRIBE

(Tribal Resolution #H-07-80)

WHEREAS, the Hopi Tribe delivers humanservices to their people which is one of the highest priorities of the Tribe, and WHEREAS, the 91st Congress enacted Title XXof the Social Security Act (PL 93-647), a major source of social service funds authorizing appropriationsfor "Grants to State for Services," and combining in one Title the principle,souri:e offunds for social services, and WHFREAS, Public Law 93-647 has been asubstantial failure in meeting the needs of the Indian population and that substantial legal and culturalimpediments prevent effective state administration of programs to the Indian population, and WHEREAS,. Title XX gives authority to the states todesign their own social services program, and WHEREAS, the present system of financingsocial services under Title XXprec4ludes tribes from direct.accessii to the important source of Federalfunds, and WHEREAS, the present system of state controlof Title XX funds leaves to the discretion of states the availability and use of title XX funds by Indian governments,and WHEREAS, studies and conferences onthe barriers to the delivery of certain social services to Indians, either conducted by the Department of Health,Education and Welfare (DHEW) or as completedunder the auspices of that agency, nave had as their major recommendation, that'tribal governments must be more involved inthe del: 4,!ry of social services on the reservation, preferably throughthe direct federal funding of tribal:), run program, and WHEREAS, Arizona tribes since 1975 havecommonly expressed through the Inter-Tribo.! Council of Arizona a consistent position in support of amendingTitle XX to allow direct funding to tribal governments, and WHEREAS, the current system of fundingtribes through inter-governmental agreements and/or contract with the States does not recognizethe special relationship Indians have with federal government,

73 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hopi Tribe strongly urges the President and'Congress to endorse the direct federal funding of Title XX of the Social Security Act, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State of Arizona and the National Indian Council on Aging are hereby requested to support this endeavor by the Indian Tribes.

. Conference Resolution No. 80-52

Submitted by the

HOPI TRIBE

(Tribal Resolution #H-85-80)

WHEREAS, the Committee for the Hopi Elderly has been formally organized by adopting Articles and By-Laws for the purpose of reviewing, researching and making recommendations to the Hopi Tribal Council on issues related to the Elderly of the Hopi Tribe, and WHEREAS. the Hopi Elderly Committee recognized its duty to meet the special needs of the Hopi Senior Citizens, including transportation, housing, nutrition, home care, senior citizen centers and especially the need for semi-skilled care facility on the Hopi reservation, and WHEREAS, the nearest nursing home facility available is 300 miles from the center of the Hopi Reservation and that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find available space in these homes for placement of the eligible Hopi Elderly because of limited beds and lack of sufficient fuhding available from Bureau of Indian Affairs Social Services, and WHEREAS, the placement of Hopi Elderly in off-reservation nursing homes is a separation from their traditional and cultural ties of the extended family unit causing traumatic experiences for them, resulting in serious cdnsequences on their health and life expectancy, and WHEREAS. the Hopi Health Committee has reviewed this matter and suppn the efforts of the rCommittee for the Hopi Elderly to present this item to the National Indian Council on Aging, Inc. for acceptance and endorsement at their Third National Indian Conference on Aging at Albuquerque, New Mexico,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Council on Aging support the Hopi Tribe in their efforts to establish a nursing home on the Hopi Reservation, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such support include assistance io the Hopi Tribe in the direct action of funds and funding sources for planning, research and implementation of extended nursing care facilities for the Hopi Elderly. t

74 ... ConferenceResolution No. 80-53 Submitted by the

HOPI TRIBE

(Tribal ResOlution #H-106-76) body politic by WHEREAS, the Hopi Indian ,Tribe ofArizona is an independent, self-governing Government of reason of its aboriginalright and existence and so recognized by the the United States in its relations withthe said Hopi Tribe, and recognizes its duty to WHEREAS. in theexercise of this right of self-government the Hopi Tribe .meet the special needs of itselderly citizens which includes, but are notlimited to the needs of adequate housing, day care, nursinghome care, adequate nutrition, education programs and access to convenienttransportation, and in- WHEREAS, these needs are viewed inthe COntext of the Hopi way of life and therefore, must corporate the cultural valuesand attitudes about aging and the roleof the elderly in Hopi society within the structureof the clan and kinship system, and consideration in pH- WHEREAS, these cultural values andattitudes are not given equal weight or ority in determining eligibilitycriiteria for Federal programs to benefitthe elderly in !the general society of the Unitedstates and as a consequence, the needs andpriorities of the Hopi people are notaccommodated under these circumstances which recognize standards and criteria notsuited to the way in which the Hopi peopleenvision. enjoyment of life in old age, and elderly as well as all WHEREAS, it is the belief and a rightof the Hopi Tribe, that programs for the other tribal programs that benefitthe Hopi people, are best achievedthrough the spirit and ,exercise of self-government as anincidence of its tribal sovereignty, and elderly under the WHEREAS, The Hopi Tribe, while givenopportunity to participate in behalf of its programs of theAdministration on Aging, would be placed in aposition of accepting have a right, be- programs and entitlerrientsless than that to which the Hopi elderly author- .cause such programs of theAdministration on Aging give States an intervening ity in determining programs forthe tribal elderly which is contradictory totribal-federal relations and because such programsrely on criteria, such as populationstatistics, which can be detrimental to Hopi opportunityfor adequate benefits, and-support ,NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,by the Hopi Tribal Council. that they approve related Acts, which any changes in the OlderAmericans Act of '1965, as amended, and will allow direct funding underthe federal government for all programs to meetthe special needs of its eldely, and toimplement these programs consistent with itsobli- gations to its citizens.

75 Conference Resolution No. 80-54

Submitted by the

BACA CHAPTER, NAVAJO NATION

WHEREAS, the Baca Chapter at its chapter meeting on August 21, 1980 pointed out the needs of the elderly in the Baca community and selected a candidate to represent the Baca Chap- ter at the National Indian Conference on Aging on September 8-10, 1980 in Albuquer- que, New Mexico, and WHEREAS, pursuant to Public Law 94-437 the law authorized additional funding for legislative goals and needs for the elderly, and WHEREAS, the Baca Chapter is in di -e need of home improvements, water and sanitation improvements, environmental improvements, school improvements, emergency health care and other unmet health needs, and WHEREAS. the Baca Chapter hereby requests that the following be recognized: The Chapter's number one need is a senior citiLens center; increased income for the senior citizens due to the rise in economy and living expenses; the monthly income needs to be adjusted; the nutrition need for Surplus Commodities as well as Food Stamps is rnit requested by the elderly; a healthier environment is needed; and an in-home service toi the elderly who need proper care is deeply n.-eded,

NOW, f i 1[1";.EFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Baca Chapter hereby requests for additional funding to achieve their goals anu needs in physical well-being, increased income and a healthier environment.

Conference Resolution No. 80-55

Submitted by the

BODAWAY CHAPTER, NAVAJO NATION

WHEREAS, the elderly people of the Bodaway Chapter have continually stated their needs for: a) adequate housing and improved roads b) accessible and improved health care and medical assistance c) ample supplies for heating and power for their homes d) safe transportation to and from required services and needs e) sources of income or subsistence to supp!ement small or no.incomes of the elderly persons, ant. WHEREAS, t'ie elderly community have no or smal: fixed incomes and very few opportunities for additional support, or subsistence, and WHEREAS, the elderly personts) live in the most remote and inaccessible locations far from needed services and care, and with very little support from the more populated communities in assisting the elderly community, and WHEREAS, thL elderly people are in the least competitive position in seeking or obtaining their needs and services from the majority that no longer recognize the traditiona! position of the elderly person in the Navajo family structure, and

76 V WHEREAS, the Bodaway Chapter has a uniqueand urgent need for community improvements because of its "freeze" or ban on communitydevelopment imposed by the Na,.djo- Hopi Land Dispute, and WHEREAS, the Bodaway Chapter is the most remoteand farthest community from the Tribal Cap- ital making it the least represented group ofelderly persons,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that theBodaway Chapter hereby requests for the support and assistance of the Navajo Nation Council on Agingand the National Indian Council on Aging in obtaining serv;cesfor needs in communities for elderly, and Aging and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that theBodaway Chapter endorses the Navajo Council on the National Indian Council on Aging in theirefforts in seeking assistance for elderly people and for the young people (who will be elderly in th ,future) today.

Conference Resolution No. 80-56

Submitted by the

INDIAN WELLS CHAPTER, NAVAJO NATION

WHEREAS, the Indian Wells Chapter is a duly certifiedChapter of the Navajo Nation in Arizona and as such may promoteand preserve community interest, and WHEREAS, the community of Indian Wells has 97members that are over the age of 55 years, living in substandard housing that are poorly constructed,lacking running water and heating fuels, and WHEREAS, eighteen (18) of the 97 elderlies arehandicapped by aging, disabilities and problems with vision, hearing, and dental, thus limiting theirabilities to fully provide for themselves without the assistance of others, and WHEREAS, with numerous able and willing senior citizensin th.v community that are retired and could serve as resources for the elderlies in the area ofproviding a better comfortable living area, and WHEREAS, the personnel, or'stipends, for theSenior Companion Project is needed to assist and would greatly facilitate in the efforts to bettr the livingenvironment of the elderlies socially, and spiritually,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that theIndian Wells Chapter respectfully requests the Third National Indian Conference to su:.p:::,i this resolution forimproving the living condi- ,,

.tions, medical and dental needs of the Elderly in theIndian Wells. Navajo Nation, Arizona Chapter. \ N,

77 Conference Resolution No. 80-57

Submitted by the

NAVAJO AGING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, NAVAJO NATION

WHEREAS, the needs of Indian Elderly was documented at 1971, 1976, 1978 and now 1980 Confer- ence, and WHEREAS, the recommendations havnot been fully implemented by the responsible Federal agencies, and WHEREAS, the Federal agencies hav of requested from Congress the sufficient appropriations to provide the need servic,5,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Indian Council on Aging request a written report from allFederal agencies on what they have accomplished towards implementing the iecommendations made and requesting appropriations needed to take action on the 1971, 1976, 1978, and 1980 Conferences.

Conference Resolution No. 80-58

Submitted by the

NAVAJO DELEGATION TO THE NATIONAL INDIAN CONFERENCE ON .GING

WHEREAS, no funds are available for education for our aging Navajos; none are existing at Navajo Community College, etc., and WHEREAS, this project will benefit the youth and the elderly" who are now widely separated, and WHEREAS, the history of the Navajo Tribe will be preserved and the elders will have made this available to the youth,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Federal government fulfill its trust responsibility and 43et forth funds in accordance with the terms of the treaty of 1868 between the U.S. Government, and the Navajo Tribe and all other existing treaties to tribes.

Conference Resolution No. 80-59

,Submitted by the

NAVAJO DELECATION TO THE NATIONAL INDIAN CONFERENCE ON AGING

WHEREAS, the elderly Navajo are concerned about the future of sated ceremonies, songs, sand painting ceremonies, and others, and WHEREAS, the medicine men ,-"nd the traditional sacred ceremonies are against the destruction of human life, and theretore against the U:S. government permitting abortions, and

78 WHEREAS, the elderly Navajo also want to preservetheir sacred mountains,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that these concernsof tI-9 elderly Navajo be addressed by.the Navajo Nation, the National Indian Council on Aging,and the U.S. government.

Conference Resolution No. 63-60

Submitted by the

NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL ON AGINGand the NAVAJO DELEGATION TO THE 1980 NATIONAL INDIAN CONFERENCE ONAGING

WHEREAS, the numerous unmet needs ofthe Navajo Elderly have been clearly identifiedby previous Navajo Nationand National Conferences held in 1971, 1976, 1978,and 1980, and WHEREAS, through local Senior CitizenCouncil and Chapter meetings the elderly haveadvocated and identified their needs, now the Chapter THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that theNational Indian Council on Aging support Resolutions requesting assistance and support intheir efforts to provide improved services in the following areas: 1. Health Care 2. Nutrition 3Alternative Housing 4. Employment & Incom( Transportation 6. Support Services

Conference Resolution No. 80-61

Submitted by the

NAVAJO NA ;ON COUNCIL ON AGINGand the NAVAJO NATION DELEGATION TOTHE 1980 NATIONAL INDIAN CONFERENCEON AGING the WHEREAS, the BIA has legislativeresponsibilities and authorization to provide services to Indian elde/rly, under the Snyder Act,and the Indian Se IffDetermination Act, P.L. 93-638, and guidelines WHEREAS, the Agingservices Department of the Navajo Tribe following BIA written September, 1979, the BIA ap- submitted proposal for services to Navajo elderly. In proved the proposal and entered into P.L.93-638 Indian Self-Determination Act Con- tract with ti,e Navajo Tribe.These funds were to be combined with OlderAmericans Act funds to provide nutrition andsocial services for Navajo elderly, and

79 WHEREAS, the Navajo Area BIA Office, acting under a directive issued by Commissioner of Indian Affairs, William Hallett, on January 17, 1980 notified the Tribe that BIA would not continue to fund the services. The Commissioner's directive set forth two reasons for the denial of continued BIA funding for services to the elderly: 1. The Older Americans Act of 1978 authorized the Administration on Aging (AoA)' to provide grants to Indian Tribes, and inferentially relieved the BIA from responsibility for Indian elderly, and 2. BIA has no appropriated funds for the purpose, and WHEREAS, BIA's refusal to fund aging programs for the Navajo Tribe violates the Age Discrimina- tion Act of 1975 (ADA, .nd the Fifth Amenament to the United States Constitution, and WHEREAS, nothing in the,,Older Americans Act legislation, 'Including Title VI ("Grants for Indian Tribes") or in Congressional intent underlying the law negates the BIA's responsibility to the elderly. In .fact, BIA's actions have violated the intent of Federal agencies to provide necessary and quality services to Indian elderly, and WHEREAS, recent Acts of Congress, Supreme Court cases and Presidential policy statements and national aging policy reaffirms this principle for elderly services,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Navajo Nation Council on Aging and the Navajo Delegation to the 3rd National Indian Conference on Aging request the National In-

dian Council on Aging to do the following: S 1. Join as an advocate only, in the Navajo Nation elderly lawsuit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the pur:sose of insuring that the BIA meet their trust responsibility to the Indian elders, 2. Draft a Memorandum of Agreement with the Administration on Aging with the BIA and Indian health Services to assure the coordinated delivery of duality services to all Indian elderly in the nation with standardized definitions of eligibility which meets tribal service standards, _ 3. Prepare joint req.Jests for appropriations for Congress which will provide quality services for elderly to be submitted through the BIA, Indian Healih Services, and the Aoi., 4. Request the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aging to join the National Indian Council on Aging in conducting a National Public Hearing m 1981 on the BIA trust' responsibility to Indian elderly, 5. Request the Senate and House Interior Committees on -Indian Affairs to direct BIA to submit a report to Congress on the services they provide to Indian elderly-pthe level of unmet needs, the plan of action to meet these needs, and to request sufficient appropriations to meet the needs. The plan of actions should be written with NICOA and the individual Tribes, 6 Congress direct the BIA to establish National Policy on Aging Services with NICOA to be reviewed and revised in regional public hearings where elderly Indian people and Tribal representatives testify, 7 Request assistance from the National Tribal Chairmen's Association, NIHB, National Congress of American Indians, Federal Council on Aging and National Aging Organ- izations to insu.c_ that the BIA takes immediate action to prepare a national policy on aging and to finance a quality and coordinated program Which sill be managed by the Tribes till -ugh the Indian Self-Determination Act.

80 Conference Resolution No. 80-62

Submitted by the

NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL ONAGING and the NAVAJO DELEGATIONTO THE 1980 NATIONAL INDIAN CONFERENCEON AGING . Self-Determination Act WHEREAS, the Bureau of Indian Affairsentered into a P.L. 93-638 Indian will offer Contract with the Navajo Tribe toestablish and stabilize elderly programs that realistic alternatives to the institutionalizationof Navajo elderly in September of 1979, and for WHEREAS, included in the 93-638 contract wasprovision for the establishment of a program volunteer roles which would allow traditionalelderly to help themselves and their peers to remain within their ownenvironment through in-home caretakerservices, and elderly to play ,a mean- WHEREAS, few volunteer, part-time,and full-time jobs currently exist for ingful role in their community; to contibute their knowledge and experience;and to help themselves, and date has 75 elderly volun- WHEREAS, this program thatprovides a meaningful r,,le for elderly to teers who provide dailyservices and personalized attention to over600 high-risk or disabled elderly in cooperation withother locally based service providers,and the volunteer WHEREAS, the BIA's untimely decision not torecontract endangers this program, disabled work of 75 elderly, the vital servicesbeing received by over 600 high risk or elderly clients, and is in the violationof the Snyder Act, the Age DiscriminationAct, the Indian Self-Determination Act,and the Navajo elderly on WHEREAS, because of the BIA'suntimely disclaiming of responsibility to providing in-home service. unjust grounds, thousandsof elderly and elderly volunteers will suffer undue hardship,

Aging, Inc., endorse and NOW, THLREFORE, BE IT RESOLVEDthat the National !ndian Council on support the Navajo Tribe incontinuation of meaningfulalternatives to institutionalization of Navajo elderlythrwigh programs contained in theoriginal 93-638 Indian Self- Determination Contract with theBureau of Indian Affairs, includingthe Navajo Senior Companion Program, and Inc., recognize the Bureau BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED thatthe National Indian Council on Aging, of Indian Affairs legal, moraland financial responsibility.t6 theNavajo elderly under 93-638 Indian Self-Determinationguidelines, and Inc , reinforce and endorse BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED`thatthe National Indian Council on Aging, the right for elderly to havesufficient volunteer and employmentopportunities that t allow them self-respect and humandignity, and

81 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Indian Council on Aging request appropriateFederal agencies, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service, the Admin- istration on Aging, the Administration for Native Americans, CETA, and ACTION, the Federal volunteer agency, to fully clarify in writing their respective and equal responsibility to Indian elderly through inter-agency agreements, and to carry out such agreements within two years, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if such Federal agencies alter, change, or minimize their responsibility to Indian elderly, those respective Federal agencies provide to the National Indian Council on Aging, Inc., a speCific written policy statement fully justifying their reasons, with dear reference to published policy and related published regulations, for their actions.

ConferenCe Resolution No. 80-63

Submitted by the a NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL ON AGING and the NAVAHO DELEGATION TO THE 1980 NATIONAL INDIAN CONFERENCE ON AGING

Requesting the support of the National Indian Council on Aging in recommending plans to Indian Health Service to implement Health Recommendations of 1976, 1978, and 1980 from Indian elderly throughout the country. WHEREAS, IHS is requested to make Area action plans to implement 1976, 1978, and 1980 health recommendations, and WHEREAS, IHS is requested to establish home health care services under tribal management as

quickly as possible, and 1 WHEREAS, IHS is requested to secure advance training funds to train staff in delivery of home health services, and WHEREAS, IHS is requested to set priorities on use of training funds for training professional and paraprofessional staff, and WHEREAS, Congress provide sufficient dppropnations to implement P.L. 94-439, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act,

NOW, THEREFORE. BE IT RESOLVED that the Navajo Nation Council on Aging requests the support of the National Indian COUI14 II on Aging in recommending to Indian Health Service Specific Action plans from previous conference input. ..

..-

82 s., -..." , Conference Resolution No. 80-64

Submitted by the

NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL ON AGINGand the NAVAJO DELEGATION TO THE 1980 NATIONAL INDIAN CONFERENCEON AGING Tribe, that WHEREAS, at the request of the Navajo NationAging Services Department, the Navajo Dr. Haffner, Navajo Area Director,appoint Sophie Thompson to head Inter-government NICOA to Task Force operating. under andthrough the Area Agency on Aging and formulate specific plans to implement the healthrecommendations of 1976, 1978, and 1980 conferences in the Navajo Nation.Such action plans should receive thehighest .priority where they can be implemented toimmediately improve the delivery and coordination of services at the home, community, andservice unit level. The elderly should be included as planners in the formulationof all health services such as homehealth care, dental, and others, the re- NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED thatthe National Indian Council on Aging support quest of the Navajo AgingServices Department, the NavajoTribe, to appoint Sophie Thompson to head the Inter-government Task Force toimplement health recommendations of 1976. 1978, and 1980 conferencesin the Navajt Nation.

Conference Resolution No. 80-65 Submitted by the

NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL ON AGINGand the NAVAJO DELEGATION TO THE 1980 NATIONAL INDIAN CONFERENCEON AGING

Requesting support of the National IndianCouncil on Aging in recommending additional appropriations and changes in the regulationsof Title VI, direct funding to Indian tribes.amending Older Arne, icans Act of 1978, and requesting greateradvocacy from the Administration on Aging.

of 1978 REAS, Congress included in theComprehensNe Older Americans Act Amendment (P.E. 95-478) Title VI a provision toallow direct funding of aging programs toIndian Tribes, and insufficient and must be in- WHEREAS, the appropriation byCongress of $6,000,000 for Title VI is alloca- creased to at least $25,000,000 to addressthe identified Orimi.t needs with an tion formula included inthe regulations based onpopul)ition, need and rural factor to insure that services toIndian elderly, and WHEREAS. the Administration on Aging mustassume the lead rolein the coordination of service and funding efforts between theBureau of Indian Affairs and theIndian Health, Services to insure quality' services aredelivered to Indian elderly, and specifically include th, re- WHEREAS, an amendment to theOlder Americans Act is needed to sponsibilities of BIA, Department of Interiorand Indian Health Services, Department of Health and Human servicesfor services to Indian elderly,

83 Conference Resolution No. 80-67*

Submitted by the

OKLAHOMA INDIAN COUNCIL' ON AGING dis- WHEREAS, The Federally-recognized Tribesof the State of Oklahoma have been subject to crimination concerning the administrationof Federal programs that are beneficial to the livelihood of the Indian peoplebecause of the use of the word "reservation" in the requirements of Federal programs, and WHEREAS, over 100,000 Indians reside in the Stateof Oklahoma according to the 1980 Census figures, and WHEREAS. approximately 36 Federally-recognizedIndian Tribes reside in the State of Okla- homa, and WHEREAS, the tribal lands of Federally-recognizedIndian tribes in Oklahoma are not designated as "reservations", and WHEREAS, the Federally-recognized IndianTribes of Oklahoma have tribal jurisdictional boundaries defined by treaties and are responsiblefor providing services to the Indians residing within those boundaries, and WHEREAS, some Federal programs do provide intheir eligibility criteria for tribes to administer__ programs, the applicableterminology should include the Oklahoma tribes,and WHEREAS, the United Srates Department ofAgriculture (USDA) does not allow the Indiantribes to administer the food stamp andcommodity programs to their tribal constituents residing within their jurisdictional boundariesbecause of their non-reservatioh status.

NOW. THEREFORE, BE ITRESOLVED that all Federal agencies adopt thedefinition prescribed in P.L. 93-638 (the Indian Self-DeterminationAct). the efforts of BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that theNational Indian Conference on Aging support the Indian tribes in Oklahoma to beincluded in the eligibility of any or all Fede,ral program requirements that areafforded the "reservation tribes'', and eli- BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED thattheFederally-recognized tribe, of Oklahoma be determined gible to administer the USDA Fod Stamp andcommodity programs that will be bene- field to the approximately 20,000 elderlyIndians in Oklahoma

'At press time. this resolution had not beenacted upon. but will be presented at the March 1981 meeting of the NICOA Board 61 ()vectors

85 Conference Resolution No. 80-67*

Submitted by the

'At press time. this resolution had not beenacted upon. but will be presented at the March 1981 meeting of the NICOA Board 61 ()vectors

85 Conference Resolution No. 80-68

Submitted by the

OKLAHOMA INDIAN COUNCIL ON AGING and the OKLAHOMA DELEGATION TO THE 1980 NATIONAL INDIAN CONFERENCE ON AGING

WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States has recognized the urgent needs of the elderly in providing bills and has designated the Departrnent of Health and Human Services as the agency responsible for this program, and WHEREAS, the Indian elderly were also intended to receive these program benefits of assistance in paying fuel bill costs, and WHEREAS, previously set aside funds for Indian tribes and tribal organizations have for three years' been successfully administered, and WFsEREAS, the State of Oklahoma's Indian citizenry look upon their tribal governments as the basic provider of needed social services, and WHEREAS, the states' Indian elderly are reluctant to apply for assistance through local welfare offices, and WHEREAS, the state's Indian people will not be adequately served if not administered by tribal government administrations, and WHEREAS, itis incumbent upon all agencies of the Federal government to recognize the governmental capacity and responsibility of the respective tribal government to provide basic services to their tribal members.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Naional Indian Conference on Aging support the efforts of the Oklahoma Council on Aginq and the delegation of Oklahoma Indian elderly in seeking the opportunity for Indian tribes and organizations to administer the Emergency Energy Crisis Assistance Program to low income and Indian elderly

Conference Resolution No. 80-69

Submitted by the

PUEBLOS OF LAGUNA AND NAMBE

NEW MEXICO

WHEREAS. White House Conference on Aging Community Forums were held during the month of luly. 1980 at the Pueblo of Laguna and the Pueblo of Nambe on the issues of the health of the Elderly, and WHEREAS, 90',V, of the participants consisted of Indian Elderly people representing various Pueblos and as recipients of Indian Elderly programs, and WHEREAS, the special problems of health of the Indian elderly were discussed and recommendations were made regarding the resolution of these problems, and WHEREAS. ttis the desire of those participants to make their recommendations known for the record to the National Indian Council on Aging at its national conference.

r$ , IVA %.; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED thatthe following needs as identified at the Laguna Nambe forums on the health of the elderlybe recognized and made 'known to all In- dian participants and made a part of therecord of the conference: give priority and develop a home repairand maintenance program for the Elderly, teach respect for the elderly andinsure'that service providers treat the elderly with respect and courtesy, provide services in the home forhandicapped and elderly living alone, e.g. home health, chore service, meals, phone, reduce waiting time for elderly in hospitalsand clinics, provide information on services and resources forthe elderly;e.g. Medicare/ Medicaid, develop a coordinated transportation system, develop elderly care center convenient to the reservation, provide employment opportunities for the elderly, provide mobile units to travel in the field toprovide health screening and care for the elderly, provide interpreters at Indian Health Service facilitiesand meetings for the elderly.

Conference Resolution No. 80-70

Submitted by the

SISSETON-WAHPETON SIOUX TRIBE OF THE LAKETRAVERSE RESERVATION SISSETON, SOUTH DAKOTA

(Tribal Elderly Program, Elderly Advisory Board,Inc., Resolution 80-03) under a WHEREAS, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Siouxof the Lake Traverse Reservation is organized Constitution and By-laws adopted by themembers of the Tribe on August 1-2_3966; approved by the Commissioner ofIndian Affairs on August 25, 1966; and WHEREAS, Executive Resolution No. 79-10,that the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux TribalCouncil does hereby recognize the Elderly Advisory Board, Inc.and its Constitution and By-laws as a private non-profitorganization, and WHEREAS, the tribal Elderly Program'sElderly Advisory Board, Inc. hascontinuously discussed and expressed their concern for a nursinghome on the reservation that would beadmin- istered and staffed by Indian people, and Tribes WHEREAS, at this time, the Elderly_Advisory Board, Inc. of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux knows of no funding or national concernfor nursing homes, of full NOW. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that theElderly Advisory Board, Inc., take the position support for the NationalIndian Council on Aging to address this concernnationally, and other concerned BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that theelderly organizations, the council, and all organizations, Bureau of Indian Affairs,Indian Health, aid in this effort to provide services to Elderly Native Americans.

87 Conference Resolution No. 8041

Submitted by the

SISSETON-WAHPETON SIOUX TRIBE OF THE LAKE TRAVERSE RESERVATION SISSETON, SO6TH DAKOTA

(Tribal Elderly Program, Elderly Advisory Board, Inc., Resolution Number 80-04)

WHEREAS, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe of the Lake Traverse Reservation is organized under a Constitution and By-Laws adopted by the members of the Tribe on August 1-2, 1966; approved by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs on August 25, 1966; and WHEREAS, Executive Resolution No. 79-10, that the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribal Council does hereby recognize the Elderly Adv'ory Board, Inc. and its constitution and By-laws as a private non-profit organization; and WHEREAS, the Elderly Advisory Board of Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe has continuously expressed its desire to seek funds to operate its own in-home services program, staffed and administered by Indian people, and WHEREAS, they have been unable to find such funds from HHS, HSA, and the AoA,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Third National Indian Conference on Aging intro- duce and address this concern to Health and Human Services, Health Services Ad- ministration, Indian Health Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Administration on Aging.

Conference Resolution No. 80-72

Submitted by the

TACOMA (WASHINGTON) URBAN INDIAN SENIOR CITIZENS under the sponsorship of the PUYALLUP TRIBE OF WASHINGTON

WHEREAS, a significant proportion of the elderly widows live on fixed income, and WHEREAS, the majority of such income is spent on basic needs such as medical care, hospitalization, home maintenance, etc., and WHEREAS, some have to pay income tax on civil services annuities which constitutes double taxa-* tion,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Serv- ice must fulfill the federal government commitment to provide services to meet the needs of our people.

88 0 i Conference Resolution No. 8043

. Submitted by the

TRIBAL ELDERS PROGRAM, PSA VII,MONTANA Aging WHEREAS, the Tribal Elders Program ofMOnta -a is one of seven Indian Area Agencies on in the Nation, and the only onecomposed of non-contiguous reservations,and diverse needs of WHEREAS, the Tribal Elders Program hasbecome acutely aware of the many and Montana's rural Indian elderly, and the' service WHEREAS, the following recommendations,if implemented, would directly impact delivery and quality of services delivered tothe rural and reservation Montanaelderly,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVEDthat more,emphasis should be placed onproviding services to rurai14an elders, and should be allocated for Title VI, BF ITFURITHER RESOIVED that a minimum of 25 million dollars Direct Fun ng for Indian elders,and for employment serv- BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NICOAshould serve as a national contractor ices for elders-ICU-A,Green Thumb, ACTION, etc.), and and direct funded BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that moretransportation funds need to be allocated to tribes, since we seetransportation as one of our greatest needs,and elderly that BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a separateeligibility criteria should be established for does not consider lease incomes receivedperiodically and small savings asfinancial resources, and should be lowered to 45 and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED thatthe age limitation for service delivery additional funds allocated for thesepeople.

89 t L

t do.

APPENDIX C , CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES CONCERNED WITH INDIAN ELDERS

a r

4 CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES

As requested by Conference participants, the, NationalIndian Council on Aging is including ih this report a listing of Congressional committeeswhich handle issues relatihg to the Indianelderly_

Senate Appropriations Committee 5-128 U.S. Capitol WashiOgton, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-3471

7 REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS *Nark Hatfield (OR) *William Proxmire (WI) Chairman Ranking Minority Member *Ted Stevens (AK) John Stennis {Miss.) *Lowell Weicker-(CT) *Robert Byrd (WV) James McClure (ID) *Daniel Inouye (HI) . Paul Laxalt (NV) *Ernest Hollings (SC) Jake Garn (UT) *Thomas Eagleton (MO) *Harrison Schmitt (NM) *Lawton Chiles (FL) Fred Cochran (Miss.) J. Bennett Johnston (LA) *Mark Andrews (ND) ,Walter Huddleston (KY) *lames Abdnor (SD) *Quentin Burdick (ND) Robert Kasten (WI) Patrick Leahy (VT) Alfonso d'Amato (NY) Jim Sasser (TN) Mac Mattingly (GA) 'Dennis DeConcini (AZ) *Warren Rudman (NH) Dale Bumpers (Ark.) Arlen Specter (PA)

*Indicates members of the subcommittee on Labor-HEW (Harrison Schmitt,chairma William Proxmire, ranking minority member) /

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Senate Budget Committee. 301 First Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-0642 * t REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS Pete Domenici (NM) Ernest Hollings (SC) . Chairman . Ranking Minority Member William Armstrong (CO) Lawton Chiles (FL) Nancy Kassebaum (KS) Joseph Biden, Jr. (DE) Rudy Boschwitz .(MN) I. Bennett Johnston (LA) .Orrin Hatch (UT) Jim Sasser (TN) John Tower (TX) Gary Hart (CO) Mark Andrews (ND) Howard Metzenbaum (OH)

.:. Steven Symms (ID) Donald Riegle, Jr. (Mich.) Charlq.Grassley (IA) Daniel Moynian (NY) Robert Kasten (WI) ' J. James Exon (NB) Dan Quayle (IN) Slade _Gorton (WA) '.1.

i Senate Labor and I4uman Resources Committee ,..------4-23,0 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-5375

. REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS Orrin tiatc0 (UT) Edward. Kennedy (Mass.) Chairman Ranking Minority Member Rehert Stafford (VT) Jennings Randolph (WV) Dan Quayle (IN) Harrison Williams (NJ) Paula Hawkins (FL) Claiborne Pell (RI) Don Nickles (OK) a ThomaS Eagleton (MO) Lowell Weicker (CT) Donald Riegle (Mich.) Gordon Humphrey (NH) Howard Metzenbaum (OH) Jeremiah Denton (AL) John East (NC) I *., . A

ii 92' Select Committee on Indian Affairs ., U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-241 ab

-.- . REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS William Cohen (Maine) John Melcher (Mont.) Ranking Minority Member x ' Chairman 4 Barn, Goldwater (AZ) Daniel Inouye (HI) Mark Nndrews (ND) Dennis DeConcini (AZ) Slade Gorton (WA)

Senate Special Committee on Aging G-233 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 (202r 224-5364

'REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS Lawton Chiles (FL) -John Heinz (PA) v Chairman Ranking Minority Member Pete Domenici (NM) John Glenn (OH)

Charles Percy (IL) . [jOn Melcher (Mont.) Nancy 16ssebaum (KS) avid Pryor (Ark.) William Cohen (Maine) Bill Bradley (NJ)

J Larry Pressler (SD) Quentin Burdick (ND) a. Charles Grass ley (IA) Christopher Dodd (CT) David Durenburger (Minn.)

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93 % Appropriations Committee J U.S. House of Representatives. H-218 Capitol . Washington, D.C. 20515 (201) 225-2771 DEMOCRATS REPUBLICANS Jande Whitten riss.) Silvio Conte (Mass.) ChairmanI Ranking Minority Member Edward Boland (Mass.) Joseph McDade (PA) William Natcher (KY) Jack Edwards (AL) Neal Smith (IA) John Myers (IN) Joseph Addabbo (NY) J. Kenneth Robinson (VA) Clarence Long (MD) Clarence Miller (OH) Sidney Yates (IL) Lawrence Coughlin (PA) .

David Obey (WI) d. C. W. Young (FL) Edward Roybal (CA) Jack Kemp (NY) ., Louis Stokes (OH) Ralph Regula (OH) Tom Bevill (AL) Clair Burgener (CA) Bill Chappell, Jr. (FL) George O'Brien (IL) Bill Alexander (Ark.) Virginia Unith (NB) John- Murtha (PA) Eldon Rudd (AZ) Bob Traxlir (Mich.) Carl Pursell (Mich.) Joseph, Early (Mass.) Mickey Edwards (OK) Charles Wilson (TX) Robert Livingston (LA)

Lindy Boggs (LA)' S. William Green (NY) Adam Benjamin, Jr. (IN) Tom Loeffler (TX) Norman Dicks (WA), A. Jerry Lewis (CA) Matthew McHugh (NY) Carroll Campbell, Jr. (SC) Bo Ginn (GA) John Porter (IL) William Lehmah (FL) Jack Hightower (TX) Martin Sabo (MN) Julian Dixon (CA) Vic Fazio (CA) W. G. Hefner (NC) Les Au Coin (OR) Daniel Akaka (HI) Wes Watkins (OK)

William Gray III (PA) .4 Bernard Dwyer (NJ) 1', 9t Committee on the Budget U.S. House of Representatives 214 House Annex No. 1 Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-7200

REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS James Jones (OK) Delbert Latta (OH) Ranking Minority Member Chairman Jim Wright (TX) Ralph Regula (OH) David Obey (WI) Bud -Shuster (PA) Paul Simon (IL) Bill Frenzel (MN) Norman Mineta (CA) Jack Kemp (NY) Jim Mattox (TX) James Martin (' C) Stephen Solarz (NY) Paul Trible, Jr. (VA) Timothy Wirth (CO) Ed Bethune (Ark.) Leon Panetta (CA) Lynn Martin (IL) Richard Gephardt (MO) Albert Smith, Jr. (AL) Eugene Johnston (NC) Bill Nelson (FL) Les Aspin (WI) Bobbi Fiedler (CA) W. G. Hefner (NC) Thomas Downey (NY) I Adam Benjamin, Jr. (IN) Brian Donnelly (Mass.) Beryl Anthony, Jr. (Ark.) Phil Gramm (TX)

95 ' -1 N., Select Committee on Aging U.S. House of Representatives r 712 House Annex No. 1 Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-9375

DEMOCRATS REPUBLICANS Claude Pepper (FL) Matthew Rinaldo (NY) Chairman Ranking Minc -ity Member Edward Roybal (CA) William Wampler (NV) Mario Biaggi (NY) John Paul Hammerschmidt (Ark.) Ike Andrews (NC) Marck Marks (PA) John Burton (CA) Ralph Regula (OH) Don Bonker (WA) Robert Doman (CA) 'Thomas Downey (NY) Norman Shumway (CA) _1 James Florio (NJ) Olympia Snowe (Maine) Harold Ford (TN) Daniel Lungren (CA). a Wilk..Hughes (NJ) Millicent Fenwick (NJ) Marilyn Bouquard (TN) James Jeffords (VT) Jim Santini (NV) Doug Bereuter (NB) David E..ans (IN) Thomas Tauke (IA) Stanley Lundine (NY) Thomas Petri (WI) Mary Rose Oakar (OH) Judd Gregg (NH) Thomas Luken (OH) Dan Coats (IN) Geraldine Ferraro (NY) George Wortley (NY)

Beverlyyron (MD) , Hal Daub (NB) William Ratchford (CT) Larry Craig (ID) Dan Mica (FL) Pat Roberts (KS) 4 Henry Waxman (CA) Bill Hendon (NC) Michael Synar (OK) Gregory Carman (NY) -..Eugene Atkinson (PA) Butler Derrick (SC) Bruce Vento (MN) Barney Frank (Mass.) Tom Lantos (CA) Robert 'Shamansky (OH) Ron Wyden (OR)

I A f,t `J I tAf 96 Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs U.S. House of Representatives 1324 Longworth House Office Building vWashington,D.C. 20515 (202) 225-2761

DEMOCRATS REPUBLICANS Morris Udall (AZ) Manuel Lujan, Jr. (NM) Chairman Ranking Minority Member Phillip Burton (CA) Don Clausen (CA) Robert Kastenmeier (WI) Don Young (AK) Abraham Kazen, Jr, (TX) Robert Latomarsino (CA) Jonathan Bingham (NY) Dan ,Marriott (UT) John Seiberling (OH) Ron Marlenee (Mont.) Antonio Won Pat (Gu,am) Richard Cheney (WY) Jim Santini (NV) Charles Pashayan (CA) James Weaver (OR) Douglas Bereuter (NB) George.Miller (CA) Jon Hinson (Miss.) James Florio (NJ) David Martin (NY) Philip Sharp (IN). Larry Craig (ID) Edward Markey (Mass.) William Hendon (NC) Baltasar Corrada (Puerto Rico) Hank Brown (CO) Austin Murphy (PA) . David Staton (WV) Nick Joe Raba II 11 (WV) Denny Smith (OR) Bruce Vent° (Minn.) fames Hansen (UT) Jerry Huckaby (LA) ;erryPatterfon (CA) Ray Kogovsek 'CO) Pat -Williams (Mont.) Dale Kildee (Mich.) Tony Coelho (CA) Beverly Byron (MD) Ron de Lugo (Virgin Is! Is) Samuel Gejdensen (CT)

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