Healing from Addictions Video Series

The Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness has partnered with the Sagkeeng Mino Pimatiziwin Family Treatment Centre to share teachings and provide guidance on how to heal from addictions.

Join us as we share messages from members of the National Turtle Lodge Council of Elders and Knowledge Keepers that discuss the root causes of addictions and how we can heal to live a more balanced and healthy life.

Watch the series below:

Healing from Addictions by Embracing our Sacred Individual Gifts and Responsibilities

August 16, 2021

Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud, Dakota Nation, discusses the root of addictions: an imbalance from unresolved trauma, being disconnected from the land and our ancestral ways of being. To address these issues, Grandmother Katherine teaches about the importance of understanding our individual gifts and the roles and responsibilities the Creator has put us on Earth to fulfill, which can be learned by attending ceremony in our Lodges, guided by the love and support from the Elders and our families.

Join us over the next few weeks, as we share messages from members of the National Turtle Lodge Council of Elders and Knowledge Keepers that discuss the root causes of addictions and how we can heal to live a more balanced and healthy life.

Healing from Addictions: Connecting to the Land, Ancestral Teachings, and Our Own Spirit

August 23, 2021

Elder Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Dave Courchene, Hon. LL.D.), Anishinaabe Nation, addresses the importance of understanding and knowing one’s identity, history, and ancestral teachings. Elder Nii Gaani Aki Inini shares the Seven Sacred Laws of the Anishinaabe People, and highlights the importance of rites of passage and going to the land in healing.

Using our Spiritual Gifts to Heal from Addictions: Teachings about the Pipe Ceremony

August 30, 2021

Elder Harry Bone, C.M., LL.D., Anishinaabe Nation, addresses the root cause of addictions and how an individual can heal from their addictions by connecting to the land, their spirit and identity, and fulfilling their spiritual gifts in life. Elder Bone shares teachings about the Pipe Ceremony and how this can help connect us with the Creator.

The Path to Healing from Addictions: Following the Steps of Our Ancestors

September 6, 2021

Elder Darrell Bob, St’at’imc Nation, shares how an individual can overcome their addictions by connecting to the land, reclaiming their spiritual identity, and walking the way of life of their ancestors. Elder Bob talks about the importance of accepting the mistakes we have made in the past so that we can move on, heal, and make the changes needed to help our families again.

Healing from Addictions through Ceremony, Spiritual Identity, Elder Mentorship, and Family Support

September 13, 2021

Elder Ed Sackaney, Nehinuw Nation, shares his personal experiences of healing from addictions, through attending traditional ceremonies, learning his culture and spiritual identity, and learning from Elders and Traditional Healers. Elder Sackaney explains that family support and learning respectful relationships are very important in this healing process.

Overcoming Addictions by Embracing Forgiveness and Healing our Inner Child

August 20, 2021

Grandmother Theresa Fenton-Bob, St’at’imc Nation, shares that we need to get to the root cause of addictions: addressing our deep childhood wounds. Grandmother Theresa shares teachings about our individual responsibility to embrace forgiveness and heal our inner child as the foundation to healing from addictions and living a healthy life that is full of love.

The Healing Power of the Love and Teachings from our Grandmothers

August 27, 2021

Grandmother Betty Ann Little Wolf, Piikani Nation, shares her personal experiences of how she began to live a healthier and happier life when she went home and learned the ceremonies and traditions of her Ancestors and her spiritual identity. Grandmother Betty Ann shares teachings about the role of the Grandmothers in our societies and the love and sacred teachings they bring to our children.

The Root of our Healing: Elder-Youth Mentorship

October 4, 2021

Elder Morris Little Wolf, Piikani Nation, shares about the importance of our children and young people passing Tobacco to Elders to help them learn about their culture and Sacred teachings of their ancestors. Elder Little Wolf teaches that our Elders are the root of our healing and our young people need more opportunities to learn from the Elders to help them heal from addictions by finding their spiritual identity and gifts.

Traditional Naming Ceremonies: Learning our Spiritual Identity to Help Heal from Addictions

October 11, 2021

Elder Philip Paynter, Ininiwak Nation, shares his personal experience about learning his culture and the traditions of his ancestors, which helped him to live a healthy, balanced life. Elder Paynter also shares teachings about Traditional Naming Ceremonies and how they can help those with addictions heal and learn their spiritual identity.


The Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness has partnered with the Sagkeeng Mino Pimatiziwin Family Treatment Centre to share teachings and provide guidance on how to heal from addictions.

Click here to view a playlist for the serieshttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_wQ7QfAR0Hy9-LZsoVhKxSgQiQdDPIxs

The Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness is a place for reconnecting to the Earth & sharing Indigenous ancestral knowledge, founded on the 7 Sacred Laws. Visit our website at www.turtlelodge.org to learn more.

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