Traditional Health
Traditional Healing is rooted in the Anishnaabek worldview of harmony and balance. Inherent in this principle is our personal responsibility to ensure balance & harmony in our Physical, Mental, Spiritual & Emotional aspects.
Our goal is to facilitate access to diverse traditional healing services and cultural ceremonies for, and with, our communities and to actively advance cultural safety in the delivery of primary health care to Aboriginal people.
Communities autonomously select and coordinate traditional healing and ceremonies to address the effects of residential school.
In collaboration with its partners the Aboriginal Health Access Centre (AHAC) coordinates 1-2 Gatherings annually which provide a wide variety of Anishnaabek based teachings, ceremonies and activities identified by the communities. Event location is rotated across the region to increase accessibility for all community members.
Our Traditional Health and Healing Coordinator is available to deliver a train-the-trainer workshop entitled, Weaving Mind, Body and Spirit into Presentation Development & Facilitation, as well as provide cross-cultural training workshops.
Funding for the regional program is received from Health Canada’s First Nation, Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) , Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program.
For more information about the regional programs services or to arrange for training and/or presentations, please contact the Traditional Health and Healing Program Coordinator.
General Protocols for Traditional Ceremonies
- It is customary to offer semma (tobacco) to an Elder/Healer when requesting information, attending ceremony, asking for medicine/healing, etc.
- Semma can be offered loose, tied in cloth, or in an unopened pouch – ask what is preferred.
- Woman cannot participate in ceremony or handle medicine if they are on their moon-time (monthly cycle).
- It is customary for women to wear skirts when attending ceremonies.
- Smudging ceremony is common before many traditional activities.
- Alcohol (or drug) use is not permitted when taking traditional medicine or if participating in ceremony.
- Alcohol (or drug) use is not usually permitted for 4 days prior to seeing a Healer – remember to ask.
- There are many types of traditional healing & Traditional Healers – it’s considered respectful to give a gift to the Healer for their help.
- Generally once a ceremony has begun – you can’t leave. ALWAYS ASK BEFORE PARTICIPATING.
Traditional Health
Traditional Healing is rooted in the Anishnaabek worldview of harmony and balance. Inherent in this principle is our personal responsibility to ensure balance & harmony in our Physical, Mental, Spiritual & Emotional aspects.
Our goal is to facilitate access to diverse traditional healing services and cultural ceremonies for, and with, our communities and to actively advance cultural safety in the delivery of primary health care to Aboriginal people.
Communities autonomously select and coordinate traditional healing and ceremonies to address the effects of residential school.
In collaboration with its partners the Aboriginal Health Access Centre (AHAC) coordinates 1-2 Gatherings annually which provide a wide variety of Anishnaabek based teachings, ceremonies and activities identified by the communities. Event location is rotated across the region to increase accessibility for all community members.
Our Traditional Health and Healing Coordinator is available to deliver a train-the-trainer workshop entitled, Weaving Mind, Body and Spirit into Presentation Development & Facilitation, as well as provide cross-cultural training workshops.
Funding for the regional program is received from Health Canada’s First Nation, Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) , Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program.
For more information about the regional programs services or to arrange for training and/or presentations, please contact the Traditional Health and Healing Program Coordinator.
General Protocols for Traditional Ceremonies
- It is customary to offer semma (tobacco) to an Elder/Healer when requesting information, attending ceremony, asking for medicine/healing, etc.
- Semma can be offered loose, tied in cloth, or in an unopened pouch – ask what is preferred.
- Woman cannot participate in ceremony or handle medicine if they are on their moon-time (monthly cycle).
- It is customary for women to wear skirts when attending ceremonies.
- Smudging ceremony is common before many traditional activities.
- Alcohol (or drug) use is not permitted when taking traditional medicine or if participating in ceremony.
- Alcohol (or drug) use is not usually permitted for 4 days prior to seeing a Healer – remember to ask.
- There are many types of traditional healing & Traditional Healers – it’s considered respectful to give a gift to the Healer for their help.
- Generally once a ceremony has begun – you can’t leave. ALWAYS ASK BEFORE PARTICIPATING.