Meet Lillian

Lillian receives home-delivered meals from the Cheyenne River Elderly Nutrition Center.

Lillian is an 88 year old Elder living in Eagle Butte, SD located in the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. She lives in a facility known as “The Manor” or Eagle Butte Manor, maintained by the tribes’ Housing Authority, allowing her to live independently in apartments that are handicap accessible. Lillian receives home-delivered meals from the Cheyenne River Elderly Nutrition Center (ENC), meals that are prepared at the center and delivered by their driver, Roland.

Lillian is one of 20+ plus stops every weekday for Roland. He enjoys greeting the Elders and bringing them their meals each day, and he reports any follow up the Elder may need to his supervisor, Aldena.

Lillian has been designated by the center as homebound or “shut-in,” as Aldena refers to Elders that have been determined to need meals delivered to their door. The ENC receives part of their funding under the federal Title VI (Older Americans Act) and follows those protocols in determining eligibility for home delivery. Even though Eagle Butte has a new assisted living facility, Lillian prefers the independence she feels living at the Manor… “I like to move…make soup and share.”

Lillian was raised by her grandparents, Albert and Rose Useful Heart, and speaks fondly of the lessons they instilled in her. “My Grandparents taught me to care for others. I feel good when I can make someone’s day.” Generosity, a Lakota value, was one that stayed with her and led her to various jobs serving others.

In addition to raising four children (countless more through foster care), she has 36 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 10-12 great-great-grandchildren. Her tenacity helped her complete a GED, become certified as a Community Health Representative and work in Maternal Child Health. “I already had the love of the people and like to visit everybody!”

Lillian credits the nutritional practices she was raised with, and a work ethic instilled by her Grandfather.

Over 10 years ago, she retired but stays in touch with the people she worked with through the Strongheart Study, declaring, “They won’t let me go!” Lillian worked on three reservations and recruited tribal members to the study. “I enjoyed what I did, I liked to visit. I never pushed anyone (to join the study). I explained to them their health and the benefits [of signing up].” The study was ordered by an HHS (Health and Human Services) taskforce to address the lack of information on rates of cardiovascular disease among American Indians.

Lillian has been fortunate with no heart issues or diabetes, like so many. She credits the nutritional practices she was raised with, and a work ethic instilled by her Grandfather. Being raised rurally, 20 miles out near the community of Green Grass, SD, Lillian was always active. “He hammered into me to get up early, feed the horses, chickens, pigs and Billy goats, saying ‘be careful they might butt you in the back.’”

Like many youth growing up, there was a period where Lillian thought they were too hard on her, but now reflecting back on her childhood, she wouldn’t change anything — including boarding school. The day school was full, so boarding school was the only option. At six years old, she left to attend school at the Old Cheyenne Agency and was there until grade 10. Lillian felt what she learned there was just a reinforcement and reminder of what her grandparents taught her.

Although Lillian has escaped so many of the health issues suffered by so many, including her husband that passed away of cancer, a knee injury has placed her in a wheelchair. “It’s my biggest problem. I am supposed to wear a brace, but it restricts me.” She relies on the transit system to pick her up for church on Sunday and she utilizes the state health services to gets to her medical appointments. Lillian was recently fitted for hearing aids and needs cataract surgery. A large-button telephone sitting prominently on her desk and a sheet with important phone numbers in extra-large fonts are evidence of her sight impairments. Lillian says, “I can barely visualize my surroundings.”

Partnership With Native Americans^® (PWNA) supports nutritious hot meals for Elders like Lillian, as well as holiday services. We are proud to support the work of tribal staff like Aldena and Roland, who care for Elders and delivery meals along with holiday cheer, ensuring healthy holidays for the homebound.