Interview with
Debbie Eisan
For some members of the team, Debbie has been a friend of great guidance for years. Her name came up quickly when imagining a project about eldership as her warmth equals her deep sense of justice. As she is a busy bee helping around generously, we were grateful she took the time to share some of her reflections.
About our guest
Debbie Eisan, CPO2, CD2(Retired)
Chief Petty Officer Second Class(Ret’d) Debbie is an Ojibway Anishinabe kwe from Batchewana First Nation, and was born in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. She served for 36 year in the military and served numerous tours of duty. In 2004, she was the recipient of the National Aboriginal Women in Leadership Foundation Award of Distinction, and in 2012, was presented the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal for her work in advocating and bringing Cultural awareness for Aboriginal people serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.
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Debbie now works at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax, where she organizes and plans a myriad of events and cultural and spiritual occasions that are of benefit to an extensive and growing list, be it veterans, the homeless, incarcerated people, seniors, youth, mothers, fathers and students.
Deb is a member of the Indigenous Council of Elders at St Mary’s University and the Chair of the Halifax Police Diversity working group, and an Elder with the Halifax Fire Department. She has been named as an Honorary Naval Captain with Maritime Forces Command, and is affiliated with Her Majesties Canadian Ship Margaret Brooke. She is also a member of the Advisory Committee for care and Compassion to the Minister of Veterans Affairs. As a devoted wife, mother and grandmother of five, she believes that a connection to language, culture and spirituality will endeavor to strengthen Indigenous people to the Creator and to Mother Earth.
1. What does it mean to be an Elder?
Debbie remembers growing in a context where maturing was valued but it was not about reaching some kind of status. She then reflects about the relationships needed to be able to learn from each other and how doing things together and helping is part of it. Teachable moments, as she mentions, happen in many ways, it’s not necessarily comfortable. Finally, Debbie talks about seniors more broadly and contemporary challenges with technology, Covid, solitude and discrimination.
“You know, the creator gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. So being able to use those two ears to listen with empathy to those people who are asking you to just hear them.”
— Debbie Eisan
2. Could you discuss the relationship between Elders and Youth?
The relationship between Elders and Youth is something Debbie is working to make better in her community. She thinks more broadly than the mainstream definition of family on this topic and sees these intergenerational relationship as part of a community responsibility. This trail of thoughts expands to thinking about how this responsibility extends further from present generations to past and future ones too.
3. What are some beliefs and experiences associated with dying and death?
The interview ends reflecting about the last stages of life and how Debbie envisions this for herself and her family. Preparing for the ultimate transition to the other side can take many forms depending on your beliefs and this can be complicated to figure out. Especially as an Indigenous people, aging in the context of colonialism amplifies the complexity of figuring out a path to transition peacefully.
“It is out responsibility as elders to share with the youth because they’re the ones who are gonna take it. They’re the one who are gonna mold it and they’re the ones who are gonna share it. You know, that’s those old people did. How did we learn it?”
— Debbie Eisan
“So I think that when you talk about our seniors and our Elders, we need to respect the position that they are in in life right now and what they want to happen with them. Even though it’s not the way that the traditional culture dictates I think. ”
— Debbie Eisan