Audio
By Windspeaker.com Staff
With files from Jeremy Harpe, CFWE-FM
Sagkeeng First Nation Chief Derrick Henderson spoke with Jeremy Harpe of CFWE-FM about the Giigewigamig Traditional Healing Centre opened May 8 in Pine Falls, Man. adjacent to the Health Complex. Giigewigamig means "place of healing".
The centre is the culmination of advice and direction from the elders to the four communities involved in the project—Sagkeeng, Bloodvein, Black River and Hollow Water—and the urging of members to provide access to traditional medicines and the knowledge of traditional healers to deal with such afflictions as diabetes and other conditions.
“When we go to see the Western doctors, who describe medication, and that could lead to other things,” said Henderson. What the people have been asking for is their own medicines.
“We don’t write what our medicines are. We don’t write them down and say, ‘Here’s what you do for diabetes.’ The Elders have the medications they go and pick up and use. So we have those traditional healers that are going to be in the facility to help our people,” said the chief.
“The centre has its own ceremonial room where people can do their own ceremonies—smudging, pipe ceremonies—we have our own kitchen facility, where people can bring their own traditional foods, and they can have access to that facility. We have our own traditional councillors that will be available to the people. It’s right in the primary health care facility. It’s adjacent to the hospital. So people can go and see the doctor or else come to the healing lodge and get care there if you need to.”
Henderson says it’s also a good thing for some people who are in palliative care. Because they can bring in their own foods for the loved ones that are in the hospital.
Henderson described the opening as “awesome” and was happy the four communities were able to work together, they are very close in proximity, and when an all-weather road connected Bloodvein to the area, that community was able to come on board. It’s been more than a decade in the making, said the chief
Elder engagement was critical to the project.
“You know, we take our advice from the Elders. They give us direction in the communities. So, we’ve always approached them. What do we need? How do we make our people healthier to have a good life? “
We all talk about life, and sometimes in our communities it’s not as great, because of social conditions, and then our people don’t usually go in the right direction. So we’ve asked our Elders to give us direction. What do we need to make our people healthier, and to help them to heal?”