The SCO Traditional Healers Program provides the citizens of the southern First Nations with access to Traditional Healers and financial support to access ceremony. This program is a step toward reclaiming Anishinaabe and Dakota traditional ways. Providing access to Traditional Healers, medicines, ceremony, and language are proven to improve quality of life. In its first year, the Traditional Healers Program supported 810 citizens from 24 Nations.
Why the program exists
Traditional and cultural healing practices are wholistic, treating the spirit, mind, body, and emotions of participants. In the past, Traditional practices protect communities and families, helping First Nations to flourish and survive colonization.
First Nations on Turtle Island have practiced traditional healing and wellness since time immemorial. Traditional wellness and healing are a very important parts of First Nations health that are often overlooked by the western health care system. Traditional Healers, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers are highly skilled care professionals.
About Traditional Healers
- Traditional Healers are First Nation cultural practitioners, Elders, Medicine People, or Knowledge Keepers who are highly skilled care professionals. They can provide traditional medicines, teachings, and ceremonies and serve as mentors and teachers.
- Traditional Healers are identified by their community, have many years of training from a respected Traditional Healer, are community oriented, a good role model, and ensure continuance of traditional healing.
- Traditional Healers can provide healing, wellness, sounsel, and guidance.
Who is eligible for the program
Any citizen of an SCO member Nation can access the Traditional Healers Program.
Services
The Traditional Healers Program provides SCO citizens with access to the following:
- Individual requests for support to see Traditional Healers
- Traditional Wellness Clinic Support
- Traditional Healer consultation / Healing support
- Sweat Lodge and Sun Dance Lodge support
- Medicines and land-based teachings
Traditional medicines may be provided as part of healing services. Traditional medicines such as sweetgrass and sage are harvested in a ceremonial way, with the person doing the harvesting praying for the spirit of the medicine.
Traditional Healers may provide healing services in any number of ways. Methods of healing may include traditional ceremonies such as sweatlodges; sundances; naming, pipe, water, grief/memorial, and cedar bath ceremonies; and more.
How to request support from the program:
To request Traditional Healer support, please complete this online form (PDF). If you are unable to fill out the online form, you can find a printable version PDF here!
All requests must be submitted 10 days prior to appointment date(s) for approval, to ensure adequate time for Finance to process payment.
The Traditional Healers Program tries to ensure as many people as possible are able to access financial support for healing each year. As funds are limited, repeat requests are approved based on resources.
After you have completed the form, send it to us:
Email: traditionalhealers@scoinc.mb.ca
Fax: 204-946-1871
If you need help completing the form, contact the program by email at traditionalhealers@scoinc.mb.ca or call 431-277-8608.