Anishnawbe Mushkiki delivers holistic traditional programs in a culturally appropriate manner, which reflect Indigenous culture, values and traditions.
Our traditional wellness tenets are to promote individual responsibility for health and lifestyle, to have respect for others and for one’s own personal integrity and to apply and practice values of acceptance and empowerment while understanding human growth and development as it pertains to all of the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
Our traditional wellness team arranges traditional healers and alternative health therapy services integrated with our primary healthcare clinic, coordinates a variety of cultural events and workshops, such as medicine picking, beading, men’s and women’s sweats, and craft classes and offers a variety of support groups.
Please note, when visiting a traditional healer, it is encouraged to bring a small offering of tobacco. Tobacco is also available at Anishnawbe Mushkiki for this purpose.
The Four Sacred Medicines
These medicines together make up the four sacred medicines and are used in ceremonies to purify.
- Sweetgrass is used in healing. It is braided into three parts: mind, body and spirit. It provides healing and
kindness which flows from the north. - Tobacco is used as an offering to Mother Earth and the Grandfathers. It promotes strength and courage which
flows from the east. - Cedar is used to promote honesty and it flows from the south.
- Sage is used to get-rid of negative feelings. It produces the gift of sharing, which is from the west.
