Indian lawmakers: Calf Boss Ribs to target elder abuse
By JODI RAVE of the Missoulian
HELENA - Forestina “Frosty” Calf Boss Ribs, D-Heart Butte, joined House colleagues this week for her first session in the Montana Legislature.
“We're going to have a good session,” said Calf Boss Ribs. “It's going to be a great session. It's good to know you belong to something and you're here to help the people of Montana.”
While she has not submitted any bills for debate, she is working with Sen. Carol Juneau, D-Browning, on a proposed elder abuse bill. The bill is being currently being drafted.
“The elders are our wisdom,” said Calf Boss Ribs. “We need to have our generations and the younger generation respect all elders. They're our guides for the future. We need to set priorities for our young ones to always respect them.”
Nationally, upward of 6 percent of the elderly are abused. But scant research exists in tribal communities, with only three of 567 federally recognized tribes having participated in scientific studies, according to the National Indian Council on Aging.
Elder abuse is a form of mistreatment of older people, and can include physical, psychological, financial and sexual abuse. It also includes domestic violence, neglect from caregivers and self-neglect, according to the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.
“The elders are our wisdom,” said Calf Boss Ribs. “We need to have our generations and the younger generation respect all elders. They're our guides for the future. We need to set priorities for our young ones to always respect them.”
Nationally, upward of 6 percent of the elderly are abused. But scant research exists in tribal communities, with only three of 567 federally recognized tribes having participated in scientific studies, according to the National Indian Council on Aging.
Elder abuse is a form of mistreatment of older people, and can include physical, psychological, financial and sexual abuse. It also includes domestic violence, neglect from caregivers and self-neglect, according to the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Missoulian - Missoula,MT,USA
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