Over a hundred seniors from all over the North Island came together for a special lunch in Port Hardy.
The event, which took place at the Civic Centre on June 6, was called the North Island Elder’s Ni’nogad.
“We wanted everyone from Woss straight up to Kingcome to come together to have lunch,” said Organizer Donna Gault.
Ni’nogad is the Kwak’wala word for “knowledgeable one”.
Gault said the event was intended to bring seniors together from all over the Regional District of Mount Waddington for a meal and seniors orientated activities. “We know as seniors we cannot be in silos, we have to come together,” said Gault.
She added transportation and lodging was provided for seniors in the district who needed it. Gault said she was excited to see all of the communities come together. “We are hoping to see before the day is out that we are all the same.”
Ni’nogad was planned by the Hardy Bay Senior Citizens Society and supported by the Grassroots Learning Centre and Island Health.
The day included games, Zumba, a massage chair, yoga, and speeches. “I just wanted to see what was going on,” said attendee Clyde Walkus, 60. “But it’s a lot of fun!” he added.
Students from both North Island Secondary School and Eagleview Elementary volunteered their time to prepare the meal for the seniors. There were 50 volunteers in attendance and enough room for 150 seniors.
“It makes me feel great helping them and giving back,” said Volunteer Charles “Judge” Humchitt. “It gets them out of the house and enables them to make new friends. There should be more stuff like it.”
Nurses and paramedics were also on site providing sugar and blood pressure screenings throughout the day. Island health was there in support of their ‘What matters to you?’ campaign, where they invited seniors to answer questions and discuss the issues that affect them.
“I think it contributes to the health of our community,” said Diabetes Nurse Educator Brenda Isaac, who added the campaign was important because it was a voice from seniors themselves and not just health care providers. “It can change how we do things and provide care.”
“All these people have come together to make us feel special, us seniors and elders,” said Donna Gault. “That’s why I’m excited.”
Gault added that because of the success of the turnout, she thinks it could become an annual event.
- Hanna Petersen article