Indian Elders Food Project (IEFP)
www.freewebs.com/iefp
How it came to be ...
There are times when the young can lead and even inspire. This is definitely one of those times. Devin Oakes, a young Ponca boy, I believe to be thirteen years of age, had a thought. He expressed this thought to his mother, which has since become an endeavor with goals and objectives. He wanted to honor the values set forth by the Ponca Warrior Society, which include being kind and generous, having compassion for those in need, and providing, protecting and being of service to the people.
In the late fall of 2003, we gave fifty Ponca Indian elders, who live in north central Oklahoma and are aged 65 and older, each a $75.00 food basket. One of the elders was the great-grandmother of this young Ponca boy.
The people and organizations involved in the 2003 project included the Pastor of the Ponca City Foursquare Church, the Director of the Northern Oklahoma Youth Shelter, several local churches, the Ponca Hethuska or Warrior Society and myself. It was a huge success and greatly appreciated.
Many months later, this young Ponca boy was sitting at dinner one night listening to his parents talk. His mother commented on her conversation with her grandmother, a 92 year old elder of the Ponca tribe. the great-grandmother said that the elders missed getting a basket last year and wondered where that young man was who organized the food basket effort. It was then that the young Ponca boy said, "Why can't we ask him again to help us?" This young Ponca boy's mother called me and requested my assistance in helping her son to start this food project for 2005.
Why we need to do it again...
What we have here is a perfect opportunity to build bridges and help heal a community that has been divided for decades. Ponca City is, like most towns across the United States that are on or near Indian reservations a complicated place. The health and welfare statistics, police records, social standings, voting records, and high unemployment rates, all reflect poorly for the American Indian. Deeply rooted suspicion, resentment and distrust from both sides linger here, even more than in most other towns with similiar situations.
Establishing a project that brings together different people from various organizations and divergent walks of life can only be a positive experience for both the Indian and non-Indian. Having these communities work together for the noble cause of honoring our elders, gives everyone an opportunity to get to know each other better. the sponsoring organizations, individual volunteers and the one hundred elders all stand to gain a better understanding of one another from this experience.
We feel greater understanding enhances and enlightens all of us and promotes mutual respect within our different communities. Preconceived ideals can be washed away and a greater sense of tolerance can prevail. With this mindset, it is our sincere hope that we can live together in harmony.
Goals and Objectives...
The goal for the year 2005 is to provide 100 elders each with a $100.00 food basket. The objective has expanded to include not only Ponca Elders, but all Indian Elders from the surrounding Kaw, Tonkawa and Otoe Tribes. This expansion requires us to seek assistance and sponsorship from the 101 Old Timers Association, ConocoPhillips, churches and community members. There are 29,000 American Indians living in and around Ponca City and I know these food baskets will be greatly appreciated and warmly recieved especially at this time of year.
First we need to raise $10,000 for the Indian Elders Food Project. Then we must deliver the $100 food baskets to the homes of one hundred Indian Elders in the Ponca City area. To make this happen, we must recruit fifty volunteers to deliver the baskets. After the deliveries have been completed, we will serve an appreciation meal to recognize and honor all the volunteers. We hope when they meet, they will find a renewed sense of unity and comradeship.
Our objectives are to bring together different groups and individuals for a common cause: to provide culturally sensitive food that meets the special dietary needs of our elderly; to promote good will and fellowship through prayer, generosity and social interaction. We want to create an atmosphere of understanding through pro-active involvement with each other. This can be accomplished not just by the delivery of baskets to the elderly, but also by taking a few extra minutes to visit with and get to know those whom we are honoring.
Why we need your help...
The Indian Elders Food Project exceeds our individual capabilities. To fulfill this most worthwhile endeavor we need your help. Ponca City has a population of only 30,000 and so we need everyone who can to help us with this project in some way. For more information contact me, Dwight Howe, Project Director at dhowe@poncacity.net, or one of our volunteer coordinators by visiting: Contact Us
We thank you for your help and we look forward to hearing from you.
Letter from Devin Oakes, Ponca Indian boy
Honor Our Tribal Elders
My great-grandmother is a 92 year old Ponca Elder woman. She has shared with me how much the food basket project meant to her and her elder friends in 2003. Seeing how much it was appreciated and meant to the Elder community, I wanted to help support the project and see it happen again.
We are doing this not only to provide for the Elders, but also to honor them. As a young Ponca man, it is my responsibility to be of service to my community. I am being supported and guided by members of the Ponca Hethuska Society, our Warrior Society. They have told me that we are remembered for our deeds more than our words. I want to provide groceries for 100 Elders in the area, and each food basket will cost about $100.
In giving out the food baskets, we will be positively contributing to the community and bringing happiness to the Elders. This effort will build bridges between Native and non-Native people. Several Native and non-Native families in the area have already volunteered to help with the various aspects of this project. Anyone who contributes should feel proud knowing they have helped a tribal Elder.
I know this is a monumental task, but I think that with the help of everyone we can make it a reality. If everyone did something like this, imagine what kind of community we would have. I hope you will consider helping me with this cause. No matter how much you donate, it will help. Any contribution will be greatly appreciated by not only me, but the Native community and Elders as well. Thank you.
Devin Oakes
