Akwesasne Mohawks Attend 17th Annual Aging Well Conference at Oneida Indian Nation: A Conference for American Indians and their Caregivers

Submitted by Tewentahawih'tha' Cole

(May 2017) Every year more than 55 residents and friends of the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory attend the Oneida Indian Nation Annual Aging Well Conference. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Office for the Aging sponsors this yearly trip and participates in most aspects of the conference planning and hosting. The mission of the SRMT Office for the Aging is to provide excellent service to seniors by promoting health, happiness, an active lifestyle, engagement, independence, and long life.

Staff members of the SRMT Office for the Aging rotate in and out of the conference and trip planning committee, but the constant staff members who dedicate time to the success of the project are from our Health Promotion Services and Recreation/Education Departments.

For 2017, it was a little more special. First off, the Akwesasne Communication Society's 97.3 CKON and the Saint Regis Mohawk Senior Citizens Club had raised enough money to provide bursaries for two Akwesasne residents to attend the conference as first-timers. Carol and Mary were among the bursary recipients who expressed their interest in attending the conference and how the conference's theme "Aging Well: Think Positive, Live Positive" would help them in their pursuit to a healthy and productive life.

Secondly, the popularity of this event amongst tribes of the Six Nations has grown, especially with the Mohawks. This year, we had to add a second bus to bring our community elders to the conference. It's an event that everyone looks forward to every year as it provides an opportunity to meet old friends, create lasting friendships, share information, and learn a thing or two about how to age well as Onkwehón:we.

This 17th annual conference saw key note speakers Dr. Benson Kelly (Mohawk) and Dr. Darryl Tonemah, a health psychologist and musician of Kiowa, Comanche, and Tuscarora heritage. There was also an Elders Panel with Mohawk, Oneida, and Seneca elders discussing their personal experience with the topic "How positive thinking has helped me and continues to help me live a positive life."

Other professionals serving tribal elders held workshops that covered topics in health benefits of thinking positive, home decluttering, cooking demonstrations, retraining the mind for empowerment and better health, using native plants and gardening techniques to promote healthy living and many more. And as a farewell the Akwesasne Women Singers Society, Kontiwennenhawi, held a social dance and encouraged people to lead their lives positively though traditional dance.