About The Turtle Lodge
The Turtle Lodge Center of Excellence in Indigenous Education and Wellness is a place for reconnecting to the Earth & sharing Indigenous ancestral knowledge, founded on the Seven Sacred Laws.
The Turtle Lodge offers Children, Youth, Adults and Elders the opportunity to come together in a sacred environment for: Traditional teachings, Ceremony, Healing, and the sharing of the perspectives of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island on how to have a good and peaceful life.
Our Vision
The Turtle Lodge is founded upon ancestral, land-based teachings that bring balance to life. It has been built for our children ~ the center of our lives. Our fundamental goal is Mino-Pi-Mati-Si-Win – A Good and Peaceful Way of Life. The Turtle Lodge is based on the Seven Sacred Laws and the Eight Paths of Life, ancient universal values of the Anishinabe People of Turtle Island (North America).
The words Mino-Pi-Matisi-Win mean “A Good Life” and we believe this good life is ensured by living the Spiritual Laws of the Great Mystery. This means living your identity, complete with your language, your customs, traditions, and following the Natural Laws of Nature.
Mino-Pi-Matisi-Win is about living from the heart – it’s about seeing, listening, feeling, speaking, and acting from the heart.
The History of the Lodge: A Vision
The Turtle Lodge in Sagkeeng First Nation was built in fulfillment of a vision received by Elder Dave Courchene Jr. while still a young man seeking his vision many years ago. For the Original Peoples of America, visions and dreams have always offered guidance in life. Following our visions has helped us remain connected to the Great Spirit and the land. A vision helps us to realize the significance of spiritual reality and that it is directly connected to nature.
In 2002, -inspired by Dave’s vision- First Nations and international volunteers from Sagkeeng First Nation, communities throughout North and South America, and from as far away as Germany, all came together to help build the Turtle Lodge. They relied completely on donated materials and labour to raise the Turtle Lodge, as a labour of love and a true testament of the strength and survival of the Original Peoples.
The vision Dave received was of a Turtle Lodge and a Village of Peace. At the heart of the village was a lodge, built in the shape of a turtle. Around the “Turtle Lodge” were four smaller turtle-shaped lodges in each of the four directions. People of every colour were coming out of these lodges and walking toward the central lodge. Animals (predominantly horses and buffalo), people in a garden, and Elders talking and laughing around a fire were seen. An eagle circled in the sky above.
The turtle for the First Peoples is a symbol of truth. Through the vision, the Elders interpreted that humanity had been given the gift of a lodge of truth, which would bring healing to people and peace to the world.
The central lodge confirms that it is time for all peoples to join in the centre.
The four smaller lodges represent the balance of life. It was told that the first Turtle Lodge would “give birth” to other lodges.
The people working in the gardens reflect that our survival is connected to the land.
The sacred fire represents the entrance for our ancestors to come and give us guidance and direction, and how important it is to remain connected to our past.
The eagle flying in the sky is a sign of the Great Spirit giving blessing to the vision, and also, how important vision is in finding hope for the future, and offering direction and meaning in life.
The horses and buffalo are there to show how we are connected to nature.
Who We Are
The Turtle Lodge has been operating for the most part thanks to a number of dedicated helpers, volunteers, and community leaders who work together to bring forward our goals of promoting Original Peoples’ knowledge, positive identity, self-esteem and self-sufficiency.
Getting to the Lodge
The Turtle Lodge is situated in Sagkeeng First Nation (also known as Fort Alexander), Manitoba, Canada, on the Southern tip of Lake Winnipeg. Sagkeeng First Nation is located 120 km north of the City of Winnipeg and has a band registration of 6,640 people. The Reserve is located on both shores of the Winnipeg River. The Anishnabe (Ojibwe) named this area Sagkeeng, which means “mouth of the river”.
From Winnipeg, one can easily travel by car (about a 1 hour drive from the Perimeter).
Type in “Turtle Lodge, Sagkeeng First Nation” on your Maps App of Choice (Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze etc).
Accomodations Near the Lodge
There are a number of motels and hotels within driving distance in the area around Sagkeeng First Nation:
Papertown Motor Inn (15 mins): 204-367-2261
South Beach Casino Hotel (30 mins): 204-766-2100
Canalta Selkirk (45 mins): 204-482-7474
Camping At the Turtle Lodge
During the warmer seasons, it is possible to camp outside the Turtle Lodge. You can pitch your own tent or tipi on site, or RV if space permits. There are no showers or RV hookups at the Turtle Lodge.