Today at almost every meeting and forum people say there are not many elders left, at least the traditional ones.

The time void and the sudden absence of elders is real and may be attributed to the epidemic of the mid-1930s, when the mortality rate of children was high.

The small populations of traditional elders we still have are still fierce in their views and will continue as conditioned. Based on historical population numbers, there are more aboriginal people today than there were before.

The big difference is that the older ones who were born in the late 1940s and 50s are just reaching their sixties and mid-sixties.

This is the group who has had an early traditional bush life, but who also entered the contemporary residential schools for most of their early youth.

When they returned to the communities, many stayed for short-term jobs, and with traditional skills, some pursued seasonal trapping and guide work. This group has the strongest aboriginal language base that can also speak and write in English.

This age group is probably the most affected by the residential school experience. The information this group has may be less in the traditional sense, but the information is just as valuable because they are still the closest to the traditional knowledge source.

This group has a lot to offer their communities by sharing the experiences of the traditional roles and modern understanding with young people. Unlike the traditional elders who were fierce in their views, the reluctance of the new elders to step forward seems to somewhat be caused by earlier childhood experiences.

Hopefully with a greater understanding, healing and renewed spiritual growth, the reluctance will be set aside so the step forward will be natural.

There are many who have already taken on their roles and responsibilities in their own ways. To be an elder could be as simple as accepting the loss of youth, the troubled self, or the effects of residential school experiences.