"Many Elderly Natives Leading Tragic Lives"

Second World War veteran Ernie Crowe, an elder from the Piapot reserve near Regina, is still fighting.

The 69-year-old Crowe says he is now waging a battle for the native people of his generation, many of whom are almost destitute because they were never taught to be self-sufficient.

"They accepted the treatment they received," said Crowe, one of the few natives serving on the Saskatchewan senior citizens' provincial council.

"Before I enlisted in the army there wasn't much I could do because we always had to get permission from the government to do anything."

Native people of Crowe's generation find it difficult to adjust to services for the elderly such as housing and community centres, he said.

"They cannot fit into these institutions."

In fact, elderly natives on or off reserves in most parts of Canada have different expectations and needs from most Canadian seniors, Crowe said.

This became clear when the council - which was formed 15 years ago by the Saskatchewan government to advise it on seniors issues - released in 1988 a survey of elderly natives not living on reserves in the province.

It showed that these people often lead tragic lives of poverty, inadequate housing, illness and isolation.

At the time, council chairman Ted Azevedo, 74, of Nipawin, Sask, said the results "present a sad and often shocking picture."

The survey has since been circulated to various Indian and Metis organizations, federal and provincial government departments, seniors groups and other non-government agencies.

Azevedo and Crowe are optimistic that its recommendations will result in changes that will help native seniors.

Crowe is particularly concerned about the substandard housing that older natives must endure.

The council recommends housing designed to accommodate families consisting of members from different generations.

It also is asking the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. and the Saskatchewan Housing Corp. to explore ways in which native organizations can develop housing projects for Indian and Metis elderly.

Lack of education has been another barrier to the native senior, said Azevedo, noting that 72 per cent living in southern centres, in or near cities, and 58 per cent in the North had not advanced beyond the elementary school level.

The council recommended the formation of a program to orient native seniors to services in their communities.

"There are services there, but unfortunately many of the elderly in our midst don't have the skills to access them," said Crowe.

Native seniors who have reached age 65 are eligible for old age pensions as well as other allowances. But often this money must be used to care for sons, daughters or grandchildren.

"Elderly natives are very close to their children and grandchildren and want to keep their families together if possible," Crowe said.

"It's so important to understand that their needs differ from those of non-native seniors," he added. "All programs must involve the Indian and Metis people themselves and their culture."

A copy of the report can be obtained from the Saskatchewan senior citizens' provincial council, 2151 Scarth St., Regina, Sask. S4P 3Z3.