A recent study from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa has provided valuable insights into how Indigenous communities define elderhood and how this role supports healthy ageing and overall community well-being. Led by Yu-Chi Kalesekes Huang and Professor Kathryn Braun, the research reviewed 20 academic publications on how Indigenous elders contribute to their communities, drawing from a diverse range of groups, including Inuit, Métis, First Nations, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Samoans, Tongans, Native Americans, Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the Aymara people in Chile.
The study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, identifies six common themes across these cultures. Central to these themes is the idea that elders are highly respected individuals who embody traditional knowledge, continue to contribute to their communities, and play an essential role in providing a cultural vision for the future. They are regarded as individuals who have earned their status through their ongoing commitment to preserving cultural practices, passing on wisdom, and enhancing community resilience.
Yu-Chi Kalesekes Huang emphasized the importance of this research in highlighting the key role of elders in maintaining community health and cultural strength. For Indigenous peoples, the role of “Elder” is not solely determined by age but by responsibility, knowledge, and service to the community. Elders are seen as care providers, actively participating in community life and transmitting knowledge across generations, contributing to the overall health and well-being of their people.
The study challenges the conventional understanding of elderhood as being defined solely by age, suggesting that it is instead a respected and earned status that reflects successful aging. Elders who have earned this status are viewed as having successfully navigated the aging process, embodying the principles of healthy aging, and offering guidance for future generations.
The researchers argue that recognizing and supporting the process of elderhood within Indigenous communities can significantly improve health outcomes for older individuals while promoting resilience and cultural continuity within these communities. Ms. Huang also highlighted the potential benefits of incorporating culturally grounded frameworks into health systems and policy, stressing the importance of honouring the contributions of Indigenous elders to strengthen both cultural ties and community health.
This research calls on policymakers and community leaders to embrace these culturally relevant perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of elderhood and its role in the well-being of Indigenous populations. By doing so, we can help create health systems that are not only more inclusive but also better equipped to support the resilience and health of Indigenous communities for generations to come.
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