The Fort Smith Metis Council has purchased a quad to transport elders free of charge.
The Council purchased the four-seater side-by-side last year for roughly $26,000.
Since then, the Council hired a driver and installed a roof, doors and windshield on the vehicle for safety.
Elders can summon the quad simply by calling the Metis office, or contacting the driver's cell phone.
Fort Smith Metis Council President Kenny Hudson said it's open to the whole community.
"It's open to all elders, not only Metis,” he said. “Treaty people, white people, it doesn't matter. An elder is an elder."
Hudson expects to offer the service until late fall, but said there's a possibility it could be offered later. With the windshield, he explained it could be possible to install a heater for colder temperatures.
Photo courtesy of Northwest Territory Metis Nation.
“We'll see how things go,” he said. “If we need something just put it in."
The council has distributed ads with the service's phone numbers, and has also left the quad's uses up to the elders' discretion.
"They can do anything they want,” he said. "I imagine toward fall it will be berry picking and we can take three or four of them out.
"If they want to go to the store, if they want to go sight-seeing, ... wherever they want to go," he added.
Programs targeting elders
Hudson explained there are other programs targeting elders, including offering fish year-round and and providing wild and caribou meat. He said the Council is also aiming to hold fishing classes and will teach residents how to set nets. Additionally, starting in June, it plans to go from Fort Smith to Hook Lake in two boats, cleaning up both sides of the river.
One boat will carry gear, the other personnel and equipment, Hudson said. The council plans to do one side of the river for a week, and then switch the other the next week.
"Any place you stop on the river, you'll see garbage," he said. "There's car tires, bike tires."
Nonetheless, the quad is notable step. Elder and Fort Smith Metis Council Board Member Earl Evans said low mobility was a major factor in the lives of elders in the area. As community member and hunter, he often helps provide them with food.
"You know dial the dishes? This is dial a rabbit," he said. "Same thing."
The assistance can make a difference for elders largely confined to their homes.
"Elders are indoors all the time and they can't get out," Evans said. "They're cooped up all winter. This gives them the opportunity to get out and do some of the things they liked to do in the past.
"A lot of people have lived out in the land all their lives and they're cooped up in this home, especially special care homes."
He explained the quad gives them the freedom to go out "and pluck ducks or go down to the river and watch people set nets. Just get out and see the things they've seen all their lives."
The vehicle is available from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Elders can call 867 621 2643, and 867 872 2643 to be picked up.