Elders connect to youth with life stories
By AJ Cloud
Youth and parents met on a bitterly cold evening at the Nekoosa Community Center to hear stories from two community elders.
Life Skills Coordinator Curtis Redbird started the event by addressing youth and telling them why the Bridging the Gap program is important.
“It is always paramount that we respect our elders,” said Redbird.
Following remarks made by Redbird, the community enjoyed a traditional Ho-Chunk meal comprised of soup selections, frybread, potato salad, and cake.
Richard Walker had the honor of praying over the evening meal and Hope Smith had the blessing of cutting the cake.
Elders who shared their stories of living and youth for the event were Hope Smith and Myrna Thompson.
“We didn’t have electricity, we couldn’t go in a room and turn on the light. We didn’t have running water that was a luxury,” said Hope Smith.
The Bridging the Gap program was started three years ago in the Black River Falls community. This is the first winter where it is being implemented in other communities.
The next Bridging the Gap event will be held at the Three Rivers House in La Crosse on Tuesday, January 26.
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