RICHFIELD, Minn. — Native elders from across Minnesota gathered at Veterans Memorial Park on Wednesday, Sept. 16, for the third annual Native American Elder Day picnic hosted by Spirit Care Services.
According to an event organizer, elders from 10 of Minnesota’s 11 tribal nations attended this year’s celebration. Tribes and Native organizations from outside the Twin Cities also arranged transportation to bring groups of elders to the gathering.
The event offered elders and their families a full day of entertainment, cultural activities, food, and community connection. Fred Desjarlait opened the gathering with a prayer and welcoming words, while Deanna Standingcloud served as emcee throughout the day.
Activities included bingo, raffles, a photo booth, and a performance by an Elvis impersonator. Drums and dancers brought songs, movement, and culture to the celebration as community members gathered to watch and participate.
Arts and crafts vendors offered handmade items, while community resource vendors connected attendees with programs and services available to Native elders and their families. Organizers also provided lunch and gave away free commemorative T-shirts.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stopped by the celebration and spent time visiting with elders, organizers, and other community members.
Beyond the scheduled entertainment, one of the day’s most meaningful features was simply the opportunity for people to be together. Elders visited with friends and relatives, met people from other communities and enjoyed the gathering at their own pace.
At one point, an elder stood and tearfully thanked Spirit Care Services co-founder Maren Hardy for organizing the celebration. The moment reflected the importance of creating events centered specifically on Native elders and their contributions to their families and communities.
The gathering received support from an extensive group of tribal nations, Native organizations, government agencies, businesses, and community partners.
Tribal nations and tribally affiliated organizations supporting the celebration included the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe; KOJB 90.1 FM The Eagle, a community radio station owned and operated by the Leech Lake Band; White Earth Nation; the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians; Ombimindwaa Gidinawemaaganinaadog; the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa; the Ho-Chunk Nation; the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community; the Prairie Island Indian Community; and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.
Other Native organizations and community partners included Spirit Care Services, Division of Indian Work, the American Indian Community Development Corporation, Minnesota Native Elder Games, American Indian OIC, the American Indian Family Center, the Minneapolis American Indian Center, the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, Wisdom Steps, Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors, and the Native American Community Development Institute.
Additional sponsors included the Minnesota Twins; Involve MN; Cub Foods; the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging; LifeSource Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation; Trellis Housing Management; Hennepin County; Haskell’s Wine & Spirits; and Wheels of Fun.
Spirit Care Services provides culturally responsive home care and transportation services for Native elders. Its annual celebration creates a dedicated space to honor elders while connecting them with cultural experiences, helpful resources, and one another.
From bingo and Elvis to drumbeats and dancing, the picnic offered something for everyone. Its larger purpose, however, showed up in the conversations, laughter, and time shared throughout the day: honoring Native elders by keeping them surrounded by community.
