adopt an elder program

[walela32_PREV (deleted)]

I dont know if any of you are familiar with this program. It is an excellent program that really helps.

anelder.org

The following is from their site.

The Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program exists to create a bridge of hope between Native Americans and other cultures. It allows us to reach out to one another, share our gifts, and mend the broken circle of our relationship with the Land and the Native Americans who hold it in sacred trust.

The Program supports the traditional Elders who live in the cultural and spiritual traditions of The Dine' People. Most live in remote portions of the Dine's (Navajo) reservation. Many live in traditional hogans, and some raise sheep as a means of maintaining themselves. The Program provides food, simple medicines, clothing, fabric and yarns to help these Elders live on the Land in their traditional lifestyle. As they have become elderly, it has become more difficult for them to support themselves on the Land in their traditional ways.

Miracles From the Sky: The Program is organized in the Native American Spirit of the Giveaway Circle. The Giveaway Circle has a tradition of giving the best that we have. That may be a gift of time, talents or skills, or actual gifts of food and clothing. When asked what the boxes of food and clothing meant to her, Ruth Benally explained that they were like "miracles from the sky." The miracle is the letters and gifts that arrive from people that they don't know and may never meet.

[horses379_PREV (deleted)]

I can't say that I've heard of it, but it sounds like a nice program. Though not just provideing food, meds, ect it also provides a friend, which is something we can never have enough of. Can I ask what the website for that is? It sounds like something to at least check out. Do you know where they are based, and if maybe they would want/need any volenteers?

[walela32_PREV (deleted)]

The Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program started through the efforts of Linda Myers of Park City, Utah. In the late 1980's Linda, an artist, was touched by a Rug Show displaying the Navajo ( or Dine' as they prefer to be called) weavings of the Elders of Northern Arizona. Touched by the stories of the Dine' people as told by Grace Smith Yellowhammer and Rose Hulligan during that Rug Show, Linda was soon very involved in gathering donated food, clothing and simple medicines and was driving to the reservation in Northern Arizona to deliver them to Elders living traditionally on the Land.

Within a year, and with the help of Jeannie Patton, a network grew around the vision that Linda had for supporting the traditional Elders in the native tradition of the Giveaway. At first it was just a group of one or two four-wheel drive vehicles making their way through the remote areas of Northern Arizona -- but those few were soon joined by many others who were touched by the purpose of the Program. Today over 450 people from all over the United States and a few foreign countries have joined in the Spirit of the Giveaway.

The Program supports 350 traditional Elders who live in the Northern portion of Arizona and Southern Utah. The activities of the Program focus on helping traditional Elders live on the Land in the ways of The People, as they have for thousands of years.

This Program is assisted by traditional Dine' people who serve as coordinators in various parts of the reservation to help us determine the needs of the Elders in their own culture and lifestyle.

We are not a religious or political organization. Many organizations exist to assist the Native Americans with the political issues they face. Our focus is on supporting the Elders who desire to remain on the Land, living in the traditional ways of the Dine'.

All services of the Program are provided through donations. All administrative work is provided by volunteers, many of whom donate hundreds of hours each year. We are a federally tax exempt, private, non-profit, charitable organization. If you would like to make a donation to support the activities of the program click here

You may contact us at:

Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program, POB 3401, Park City, UT 84060
Phone: (435) 649-0535 Fax: (435) 649-8136
e-mail: (removed)

[ibelieve_PREV (deleted)]

`
This is a GREAT program and the "miracles from the sky" reminds me of a time
when I had went with a group to build a school and a church in a remote village of
Mexico. As we were walking up this hillside to the village having just arrived people
came running to greet us crying and hugging us. I asked a person who was familiar
with them what they were saying and he replied "they think you are angels come to
help them".It was a moment and time I will never forget as well as very humbling.

[mistywindfall]

.Wow, that's awesome about the Mexican people thinking you were angels! I went to an orphanage in Mexico once for a week to paint classrooms. The kids were so excited over simple things like ice cream and having a net for the hoop in their basketball court! Have a nice day! Hugs,
Brenda

[ibelieve_PREV (deleted)]

`
It is a great and meaningful thing to to volunteer-I've actually been to an orphanage in Mexico and it is heartbreaking when you have to go and leave them behind. So much injustice and inequity in this world and sadly in our own country as well-possibly the most affluent in the world.
So many of our own children abandoned or forcibly taken-a continuation of the Manifest Destiny doctrine. And the slow yet almost inevitable erosion of customs, culture and language. It is a sad thing and morally indefensible thing.
There is a Nation about five hours north of here, the Coushatta ,whose entire "reservation" consists of something like eighty acres-and most of that purchased by them. They are attempting to buy an additional one hundred and sixty acres to enlarge-all this for a people who were the original owners, the first Nation. In this day and age of political correctness and silence lest you offend someone who speaks for the Coushatta?
What politician champions their cause?

[vikingsmn_PREV (deleted)]

.HI ANYONE MY NAME IS JOHN COME FROM MINNESOTA OF USA PLEASE CHECK MY ------- (COOLMANDEAF) SEND ME THIS ONE MESSENGER . LETS ME KNOW OK I NEED DATE NATIVE LADY I HOPEFUL YOU SEND ME SOON SMILES