:: About NSAIE ::
Who We Are
Community Involvement
In 1987, a group of American Indian Elders approached Steve Wilson, who
was starting one of the first Older Americans Act Title VI programs in
the country, and asked for help in identifying resources for senior service
programs on tribal lands. The NSAIE was founded and the Board of Directors
was identified from tribal programs across the country, specifically from
tribes that were also applying for and starting OAA Title VI programs.
The Board identified goals as an organization are: to improve the quality of life for under-served, rural, and on-reservation American Indian senior citizens by supporting a network of tribally established and administered services. These quality of life improvements would be provided through financial support in the form of small grants to tribal senior centers for community health services, such as nutritious home delivered and group meals, and in-home services, such as personal care services for those seniors unable to take care of their hygienic needs. The mission of the NSAIE is for all American Indian elderly to have access to services that will support them in their homes, as respected members of their communities and as keepers of their traditions.
Board of Directors
Steve Wilson, Chairperson, is a member of the Muscogee
(Creek) Nation. Mr. Wilson has worked with the elderly nutrition program
for the Muscogee Nation since the 1980’s. Mr. Wilson serves on a
variety of national and local boards to assure that elder concerns are
being heard. He has been actively involved with creating policy and awareness
of issues that effect elders. Mr. Wilson was recently acknowledged for
his tireless efforts working on behalf of the Oklahoma Elder Programs
and awarded the Betsy D. Smith award. The NSAIE is honored to have Steve
Wilson as Chairman of the Board.
Delia Carlyle, First Vice-Chairperson, is a member and the Chairperson of the Ak Chin Indian Community in Arizona. She has served in this capacity, as well as on the tribal council and in a variety of positions serving the elderly for the past 20 years. She was one of the founding directors of the Title VI Grants to Native Americans in Arizona and has advocated tirelessly for the elders of her small tribe.
Oneida Winship, Secretary/Treasurer is a member of the Choctaw Nation and has worked with the Nation since 1978 and with the AoA grants for the Choctaw Nation Title VI Program. She has also been a member of the Choctaw Nation Healthy Lifestyles Task Force, since 2001. Ms. Winship was instrumental in securing a place for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as one of first 86 Title VI grantees. Currently, she coordinates services with the AoA Title VI, Title III, KEDDO AAA, for Nutrition and Outreach Services and serves on State and National Boards that benefit American Indian Elders. Recently, she has been active with the Family Caregivers Grants to Indian Tribes. Ms. Winship has served as a Sponsor Tribe for NSAIE VISTA volunteers and is an active member of the Wellness Program for the Choctaw Nation.
Image: Northwestern University Library, Edward S. Curtis's 'The North American Indian': the Photographic Images, 2001. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award98/ienhtml/curthome.html