Thirty-year Osage employee honored for Osage elder care contributions

Long Time service provider for elder nutrition, Roberta “Sue” Slinkard, at the Osage Nation is the Recipient of the n4a Excellence in Leadership Award

By ON Communications

Pawhuska, Okla. Osage Nation Reservation (Wednesday, August 15, 2018)–Roberta “Sue” Slinkard (Osage), a familiar face in the Osage Nation employee workforce and elder community, was recently honored for her work and dedication for elder nutrition efforts on the Osage Nation Reservation forOsage Nation Elder Nutrition.The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging(n4a) awarded Slinkardthe n4a Excellence in Leadership Award on July 29, 2018 in Chicago, IL, at the n4a Annual Conference and Trade Show. The n4a primary mission is, “…to build the capacity of our members so they can help older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible.”

The leadership award Slinkard received is awarded to Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), Title VI directors and their affiliates (staff, boards or advisory councils), “…who have demonstrated exceptional leadership capabilities at the local, state or national level in advancing the mission of theOlder Americans Actand preparing communities for our nation’s rapidly aging population,” according to the n4a website. Winners are nominated and then selected by a panel of their peers. Slinkard received a nomination for the award from the Oklahoma Indian Council on Aging, an affiliate of theNational Indian Council on Aging.

“I was awarded the Leadership Award for my years of working with the Osage Nation Title VI Program…for my years of service to the Osage Elders. I have worked at the local, county, and state level to improve the lives of our elders… [and, for] being a member of the Oklahoma Indian Council on Aging, and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a),” said Slinkard about being selected for the award. Slinkard, the Elder Nutrition Director, has been working for Osage Nation Title VI to support elder nutrition for all Native Americans in the Osage service area for 31 years.She added, humbly, “I was very honored by this award.”

Slinkard said n4a provides a valuable partnership for elder nutrition leaders and programs. “The n4a and our Title VI program work together to advocate for elders all across the county.They lobby for us in Washington, D.C., working for more funding for our programs.”
About her work for the Osage Nation Slinkard said, “the years that I have worked for Osage Nation Title VI have been a blessing for me.The elders are like family and I look forward to seeing them and checking on them each day.” She added that she is very proud of the recent opening of a congregate meal site in the Fairfax area. The new site has been well received by the community and Osage County Nutrition is on site for support and information.

Slinkard is the granddaughter of Charles L. Labadie and the daughter of Blanche "Angie" Labadie Mounts. She grew up in rural Osage County and has lived there most of her life. She is a member of the First Baptist Church of Pawhuska where she started a special needs class and she is a longtime volunteer for the Osage County 4-H Program.

Osage Nation Elder Nutrition
The Osage Nation Elder Nutrition Program (Formerly Senior Services &Title VI) addresses the needs of the native seniors by providing meals through a culturally sensitive program. The program also provides a culturally sensitive approach to the provision of supportive services needed by the native seniors on the Osage Reservation.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Address
350 Senior Drive
Pawhuska, OK 74056
Main Phone:
918-287-5454
Main Fax:
918-287-1165
Fairfax
Address
401 S 8th
Fairfax, OK 74637

For Media Inquiries: Osage Nation Communications 918-287-5599communications@osagenation-nsn.gov