Thursday, January 21, 2010

SAULT TRIBE BOARD TORMENTS 92 YEAR OLD ELDER

The daughter of Fred Hatch senior, the man who began the arduous process of seeking federal acknowledgement for the Sault Tribe, feels she is being tormented by the Sault Tribe Board of Directors and Holly Kibble, director of the Eldercare program. Incidently, Kibble is the sister of Hope Schlehuber who was recently arrested by the FBI along with Fred Paquin and his daughter.

Kibble who says her actions are supported by the Sault Tribe Chairman and Board of Directors has laid down her own set of laws that has left a physically disabled 92 year old woman alone to fend for herself. The elder who has numerous health problems has become the unlikely target for reasons no one can define. Her demise began when she found herself unable to find a home healthcare provider that she could afford who would not only bathe and dress her but also assist in other things that we all take for granted such as meal preparation, laundry, cleaning, shopping as well as perform other simple duties such as bill paying that she is unable to perform for herself.

One caregiver who is employed by Sault Tribe Elder Care has been with the elderly woman for 10 years but her schedule only allows her to visit the woman for a few hours a week. When the elderly tribal member found herself without a caregiver, a relative of the Sault Tribe employee offered to go to work for the woman. Even though this person is solely employed by the elderly person, her wages are not supplemented in any way by the tribe and she is not connected to the tribe in any way, Kibble told the tribally employed caregiver that her relative was not allowed to work for the elderly lady and the employee would be fired if it continued. Remember, this is a privately employed person who is being threatened that if she continues to care for the 92 year old that her relative would be fired from her employment with the tribe. Rather then risking her relative's employment the privately employed caregiver was forced to quit leaving the elderly woman alone. Then Kibble told the caregiver employed by the tribe that she was being removed as the elders only remaining caregiver which now leaves the elderly 92 year old woman completely alone with no one to assist her.

The elderly lady first contacted Kibble to ask her why she was doing this to her but Kibble replied that the Sault Tribe Board of Directors ordered the action. The elder then made a phone call to Chairman Joe McCoy for assistance in this matter but was denied. Two directors were also contacted by the elderly Sault Tribe member but they also denied her any assistance. Why would Kibble, Chairman McCoy and the Board of Directors intrude upon the safety of an elderly tribal member whose family history has been so important to the tribe? Why are they trying to interfere with the safety and well-being of this poor lady?

When it was suggested by a friend of the elder that she write a letter to the board she said she just didn't have the strength after all she had been through so that's where I come in. The Board of Directors and the Chairman are already aware of the problem according to Kibble so bypassing them is the only option left.

Are grant funds used to support the Eldercare program? It's time for a deeper investigation in the use of grant funds by the Sault Tribe and there is no better time than now for this to happen.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

That's it. Let me know where this poor woman lives so I can go and assist her.
This is unconscionable and we're not going to let her suffer this indignity while the Sault Tribe wallows in its own ineffectiveness.

Call me. (906) 484-6821

Our right to make changes through referendum is the one voice we have left....use it.