First Nation wellness camp draws healing from culture, land, water

A First Nation in northern Ontario has created a wellness camp to help its members -- and others -- find healing while living on the land.

Nipissing First Nation, west of North Bay, has created a wellness camp to help its members and others find healing while living on the land.

“We want to be able to have a space where they’re reconnecting with the land, who they are, their culture and redefine their purpose in life,” said Wendy Lariviere, the First Nation’s director of social services.

Called, Neyaashing Mshkikiiwan, the camp is a pilot project using the former Pow Wow grounds at Jocko Point. The space was officially opened on Thursday with a traditional ceremony that included smudging, drumming and prayers from local Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

The land was once used to celebrate culture – now, culture will be used to help participants heal while they live and learn off the land.

Each 90-day program will have a group of participants who are working on healing from ailments like addiction, mental health issues or other factors. The first intake has 8 individuals, but future groups will be around 14.

“Our community, I think, is the loudest voice that has said they want healing not only for membership but for First Nations people and our community and our neighbours,” Lariviere said.

“To be able to have some kind of connection and well-being and this is a great starting place for that.”

Lariviere told CTV News that the wellness camp will use a peer-based model, where staff have lived experience to help connect with participants who are working through their respective healing journeys.

But it’s the land and water from nearby Lake Nipissing that will play a large role at the camp.

“Being able to be where the medicine is. Where we are located right now is the Neyaashiing Mshkikiiwan, which means ‘Medicine Point.’ There are traditional medicines here that we will be harvesting during our medicine walks, for our participants to use,” said Grace Bighetty, the camp supervisor.

Another aspect of the program is the disconnection from electronics and other world pressures.

Although the participants will be ‘off the grid,’ the staff working at the camp will still have access to the internet. Bighetty said there will always be two staff members for each participant.

The first intake of eight participants will arrive on Monday to start their 90-day healing journey. They’re due to graduate this July, before the next group starts their program.