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Traditional Healers Program

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.

Two people gathering medicine and participating in Land-Based healing

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.

If you are not a citizen of an SCO member Nation, please visit the MKO Traditional Healer Program website for more information on their support services for other communities in MB.

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 access support from the Traditional Healers Program, please follow these steps:

  1. Complete the Form
  2. Submit Your Request
    • Ensure all requests are submitted at least 10 days prior to the appointment/event date(s) to allow sufficient time for processing and payment.
    • Include the following documents with your application to avoid delays:
      • Direct Deposit Form
      • Copy of your Status Card
      • Healers Contact Info/Event Link(s)/Poster
        • Please note, Healer(s) must be a reputable healer and recognized as a healer from a Nation and a review of the COmmittee Board of Healers & Knowledge Keepers.
  3. Send your completed form and required documents by

Additional Information

The Traditional Healers Program strives to provide financial support for healing to as many individuals as possible each year. Please note that funds are limited, and repeat requests are subject to resource availability only.

Need assistance?

If you require help completing the form or have any questions, please contact us.
Email: traditionalhealers@scoinc.mb.ca
Phone: 431-277-8608