Serving Muckleshoot Indian elders

Located about 34 miles southeast of Seattle between Auburn and Enumclaw, the Muckleshoot Indian tribe is a mix of several Native American tribes that have lived in our region for centuries. The Muckleshoot Senior Services Program provides supportive services to nearly 600 elders, age 50 and older. Some of the services include congregate and home-delivered meals, chore services, transportation, cultural activities, and much more. "We strive to offer quality services and to maintain a program that captures the voice of our elders," says program manager Wendy Burdette.

One of the program's 2009 highlights included the Traditional Foods Feast, an intergenerational activity that marked an historical renaissance of traditional foods. Muckleshoot teachings emphasize that the way to offer someone healing is to feed them. Youth workers from the Muckleshoot Drop-in Center, along with volunteer cook mentors, harvested and prepared the meal which included duck, geese, salmon, clams, oysters, deer, elk, huckleberries, and huckleberry leaf tea.

The Muckleshoot Tribe partners with the Seattle Human Service Department's Aging and Disability Services division (ADS) to provide case management services to the tribe's elders and community members. For the past four years, Keith Rapacz, an ADS Case Manager, has worked as a liaison which has helped improve communication between ADS and tribal staff. "My success as a liaison is all about relationship building with clients, their families, and tribal staff." says Rapacz.

Among the tribe's goals for 2010 are plans to develop a new facility for seniors to include a new senior center, assisted living facility, and condos.

By Karen Winston, Seattle Human Services Department, Aging and Disability Services