Too Often, Indigenous women who complete addiction recovery programs don’t have a safe home to return to.

In these situations, women may be forced to return to environments where drug and alcohol abuse persists or where they may be at risk of domestic violence.

In some situations, women may be unable to return home due to legal issues. Without accessible transitional housing available, women in these situations will be forced to return to unsafe environments, violate court-imposed distancing orders, or face homelessness.

The FNMI Workshops Charity believes none of these options support long-term Sobriety, Health, Safety & Healing for this population. The Eagletail Transition House will fill the existing gap in service delivery.

Traditional Healing is a broad term that describes the many different healing traditions within the different belief systems in Canada’s Indigenous cultures. Traditional Healing has been used by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years.

Elders hold a special place in Indigenous cultures. Many traditional healers are elders. They know the traditions and values of their particular group and serve as guides and teachers. Healing is seen as a journey, and there is as much focus on spiritual and emotional healing as there is on the physical parts of healing. Health is seen as a balance and harmony within your mind, body, and spirit, along with your community and environment. Illness or disease is caused by ignoring sacred, natural laws.

The Medicine Wheel & Sacred Herbs

The medicine wheel is an important part of Indigenous healing. It’s a powerful symbol that represents the interweaving of life, health, and the values of a person and their community. Different Indigenous peoples have their own beliefs and teachings about the medicine wheel.

The Number 4 is considered sacred by Indigenous peoples, and there are 4 parts to the medicine wheel. The parts of the medicine wheel represent the 4 directions, the 4 seasons, and the 4 aspects of health (Spiritual, Mental, Physical & Emotional). It also represents 4 sacred herbs or medicines that are important to Indigenous cultures and traditional healing practices.

Tobacco is an important plant in Indigenous cultures. Wild tobacco, which is picked and sundried, is used as an offering in Indigenous ceremony or to give thanks after a successful hunt. In traditional Indigenous cultures, tobacco is not usually smoked, except in pipe ceremonies. It is important to note that wild tobacco is very different from commercial tobacco. Many Indigenous healers believe that the recreational use of commercial tobacco is unhealthy, harmful, and disrespectful of the traditional use of wild tobacco. Find out more about commercial tobacco as a risk factor for cancer.

Sweetgrass is used for its cleansing, sweet smoke. It should not be eaten because it is poisonous.

Cedar is used in ceremonies. Both Red & White Cedars are used in Indigenous traditional medicines.

Sage is used as a traditional herbal medicine. It is also made into smudge sticks to be used in ceremonies.

Methods Used by Traditional Indigenous Healers

Sweats are a cleansing and healing ritual. It is most often done in a sweat lodge, which is run by a person trained to conduct the sacred ceremony. Sacred herbs may be added to the smoke and steam during the ceremony.

Smudging involves burning sacred herbs in a bowl. A person puts their hands into the sacred smoke and carries it to their body, especially to areas that need healing. A smudge wand may also be used to direct the smoke around a person or around a space.

Healing circles are groups of people who gather together in the shape of a circle with the clear purpose of healing.

Ceremonies may include dancing, drumming and singing. They are used to encourage values such as respect, courage, strength, humility and trust. Restoring and maintaining these values is an important part of Indigenous traditional healing.

Traditional diets may be recommended by Indigenous healers. Many believe that typical Western diets are unhealthy because they are high in sugar, fat and white flour. In traditional diets, there is more emphasis on the foods that Indigenous people ate before Europeans arrived in North America, such as game, fish and wild nuts and berries. Many elders believe that a return to traditional diets will help restore harmony and balance.

Herbal medicines are widely used by traditional healers to treat physical conditions. Herbal medicines may be from a particular area and are rooted in local knowledge. Herbal medicines may be used in various forms such as teas, powders or ointment.