Shawanaga First Nation Healing Centre

19 Shebeshekong Rd N RR#1 Nobel,
Ontario P0G 1G0
Telephone: (705) 366-2378
Facsimile: (705) 366-2496
Email: healing@shawanaga.ca

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday - 9:00am to 4:30pm
Friday - 8:00am to 3:00pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday

Geographical Location:

Shawanaga First Nation Healing Centre is located approximately 35 kilometres northwest of Parry Sound, Ontario. The gross floor area of the Healing Centre is 5092 sq. ft. or 473m2. The front door faces the Eastern direction which reflects new life and new beginnings. Unique programs, services, functions and activities will be provided to our shareholders by: Healing Centre staff, respected Elders, special resource people and community volunteers.

MISSION STATMENT

The mission of the Shawanaga First Nation Healing Centre is to provide a wholistic approach to the healing of the Mind, Body and Spirit. By providing traditionally based programs and services through the implementation of Euro-western and Traditional methods of healing to individuals and families.

A NARRATIVE OF THE SHAWANAGA HEALING CENTRE LOGO

The Pipe – Once the grandfather pipe is assembled, it symbolizes the truth. Tobacco is then offered through a request. Once the pipe has been filled with four sacred medicines, it is then lighted. The pipe is ceremoniously offered, first to the four directions, to the earth and then to the sky world before we can actually smoke the pipe.
Seven Eagle Feathers – The individual eagle feathers that are strung from the grandfather pipe stem represent an accepted vision of seven generations into the future. They also symbolize the seven grandfather teachings.
Smoke from the Pipe – The smoke from the grandfather pipe is our spiritual connection through our own thoughts. It is smoke that carries our thoughts from the earth realm to the sky world where the Creator resides.
Outline of the Eagle – Aboriginal people from most Nations, consider the eagle as the spiritual messenger of our requests and prayers. It is believed that the eagle is the only one who is capable of taking our petitions to the Creator in the sky world.
Hand Shaker – This sacred item is used with many ceremonies along with the songs and the drum. It is said that in the beginning, there was a void of emptiness in theuniverse. That emptiness was filled with the sound of the shaker.
Bundle of Sage – One of the four sacred medicines that we use in our traditional ceremonies. It is commonly used to cleanse ourselves prior to ceremonial activities. The sage represents the western direction of sharing.
Braided Sweetgrass – It is another one of our medicines. Sweetgrass is usually braided in to three parts which signifies the Mind, Body and Spirit. The sweetgrass represents the northern direction of strength.
Edge of the Drum and Drumstick – Both of these sacred items are used for ceremonial purposes. When these particular items are used and our drum is being sounded nothing else should really matter to us. We are told that this is the voice and heartbeat of our Mother the Earth.

Shawanaga Healing Centre logo was designed by Mr. Shannon Eagle of Shawanaga First Nation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Photographed by Mike Cadeau

Funding was provided by the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy and Health Canada Chi Miigwetch/ Thank you for all of your support and commitment.

VISION STATEMENT

Shawanaga First Nation Healing Centre will promote healing of individuals, families and communities in Mind, Body and Spirit by the integration of Euro-Western and Traditional methods of healing. Our main emphasis will be on providing a full range of traditional programs and services to meet the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of Aboriginal People within our target population.

WELLNESS PRINCIPLE
“Our traditional teachings, cultural values and beliefs remind us, in a kind way, that before we reach out, to help or to assist people around us, that you must first begin to understand how to help yourself. This first step of self-empowerment is the healing process. Therefore, time and attention should be dedicated and devoted to ensuring that a sufficient level or great deal of healing is rooted and established in our being.”

Aboriginal Health and Wellness
Aboriginal people believe that healing of our physical element needs to be taken care of in the same breath with our mental, emotional and spiritual levels. The word healing is familiar to non-aboriginal people, but the concepts that aboriginal people have in mind, when they use it, is likely not the same. Healing, in the aboriginal terms, refers to personal and societal recovery from the lasting effects of oppression that was experienced over many generations.

TRADITIONAL HEALING
The practice of traditional healing involves wholistic strengthening of the Mind, Body and Spirit. This is usually implemented through: one-to-one counselling; family and group; language immersion; circles; sweatlodge; traditional medicines; elders; social gatherings; land initiatives; and more.

Implementation of Aboriginal Health
To reach whole health in many aboriginal communities, the people must begin to confront the crippling injuries of the past. By doing so, it is not their job alone. Only when the deep causes of aboriginal ill-health are remedied by aboriginal and non-aboriginal people working together will the balance and harmony be restored.

EURO-WESTERN HEALING
Modern approaches of healing may include but not limited to: massage therapy; aroma therapy; reiki; chiropractor services; mental health approaches; yoga; tai chi; and more.

Understanding Traditional Health and Traditional Healing
Our perspective is generally defined as an inherent practice that is intricately designed to promote mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellness. These practices are based largely upon belief systems which pre-date the spread of Euro-Western and scientific bio-medicine. When aboriginal people discuss Traditional health and healing, they may allude to a wide spectrum of spiritual activities that are related to specific ceremonies.

SERVICE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To provide a safe and healthy environment for the delivery of a comprehensive program of traditional healing with the blending of Euro-Western and Traditional indigenous programs and services.
2. To provide the power of wholeness and the importance of maintaining balance with the four aspects of self: mind, heart, body and spirit.
3. To provide a wholistic approach to healing by providing the circle of total health through Traditional and contemporary practices.
4. To provide opportunities to the people on a new beginning, a new start, by reconnecting and renewing individuals with their spirituality.
5. To promote the importance of individual wellness and for the rebuilding of a strong, healthy and balanced family and community.
6. To provide culturally appropriate programming that is responsive to the needs of individuals, families and communities.
7. To provide knowledge, teachings, training and awareness of our healing ways and recognition of those healing services.
8. To unite our efforts and provide the required services to the people of the communities who may need a wholistic healing journey and healthy lifestyle.
9. To provide extensive communication and public awareness, to inform and invite individuals and families to access the programs and services that are being offered within the Healing Centre.