All are welcome to “Lunch and Learn: Let’s Talk About Elder Abuse – a virtual Community Circle” on Zoom, on Thursday, November 18, at 1pm. Local arts company Sheatre and M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre will host this talk, part of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week. November 14 – 20 is Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, raising awareness about the issues, and the services, programs and laws in place to help victims, survivors and their families. “Let’s talk,” says host Tanya Coulter.

Let’s Talk About Elder Abuse will raise awareness that elder abuse is always wrong – and in many instances it’s a criminal offense. It will reduce the stigma that stops people from disclosing and receiving help, and connect community members with support, resources and information. It’s free and open to people from across Grey and Bruce and beyond on Zoom – pre-registration required. To register, email Ronat John, Life Long Care Coordinator at [email protected]

Register by Nov. 15 to join the conversation – and have lunch on Sheatre! Although we are unable to meet in person, registrants from Owen Sound and area will receive a gift card from a downtown restaurant for lunch, so we can lunch and learn together, online.

Let’s Talk About Elder Abuse is hosted by Tanya Coulter, Coordinator of the Indigenous Health and Wellness Strategy at M’Wikwedong, with speakers Angela Yenssen, Grey Bruce Legal Clinic, Elder Paul Nadjiwan, M’Wikwedong’s Cultural Resource Coordinator, Constable Kris Keeshig, Neyaashiinigmiing Police, Pam McDermid, Grey Bruce Elder Abuse Prevention, Jason Cranny, Community Services Officer, Owen Sound Police and david sereda, from Sheatre.

The theme of the week this year is “The Power of Collaboration”, and Let’s Talk about Elder Abuse shows how artists, local expert partners in law, community health, policing, and Indigenous wellness have collaborated to deliver sound information about Elder Abuse.

Sheatre collaborated with community members of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory to create a play about elder abuse – “Mishoo miinwaa Noki – You, Me and Wrinkles” or “Wrinkles” for short. “Wrinkles” is being adapted for a new podcast series by Sheatre. On Nov. 18, excerpts from “Wrinkles” will illustrate different kinds of Elder Abuse, then local community expert partners will offer commentary and field questions from the audience. The event will be recorded and select excerpts will appear in a future podcast episode of “Wrinkles.”

“When we name the problem, we are on our way to solving it, and taking away its power,” says Sheatre’s Artistic Director, Joan Chandler. “We’ve got to kiss that monster on the nose!” says Ronat John, Life Long Care Coordinator at M’Wikwedong.

ELDER ABUSE: Many kinds of Elder Abuse are criminal offences. According to CPNEA (Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse), in Canada there is no specific crime of “elder abuse” identified in the Criminal Code. Crimes committed against older people must be prosecuted under other criminal provisions: failing to provide the necessaries of life, assault, sexual assault, unlawful confinement, uttering threats, theft, theft by power of attorney and fraud.

Let’s Talk About Elder Abuse is produced by Sheatre and M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre, with thanks to the Department of Justice Canada for financial support.

source: media release, Sheatre