Respected Elder, Bill Bertschy (Nephew of Chieftain George) and Farmer, Tam Andersen are the champions of this Healing Forest, where trails meander through the trees to share the Seven Grandfather Teachings on Totem Poles carved by the Elder Bill, of the Standing Bear Clan, who hails originally from the Cedar Forests of the Salish Nation. Their efforts have resulted in the first Healing Forest to be created in Alberta on private land.
As a horticulturist, farmer and nursery woman for the past 50 years, Tam holds a special passion for trees and forests. She believes farmers are accountable as stewards of the land.and that it is important for non-indigenous Canadians to support unity, commitment, and calls to action in support of active reconciliation. With the guidance of Elder Bill, the community is supporting the retention of Canada’s forests and biodiversity through conservation of important habitats. They are sharing the First Nations’ culture and history, forging new friendships, and creating bridges of understanding with land-based learning, and a return to a better way of life.
The forest has outdoor gathering places for ceremony, reflection, meditation, and prayers. As a Knowledge Keeper and Sweat Lodge Elder, Bill has masterfully carved harmonious walking trails through this old-growth parkland boreal forest of Spruce, Trembling Aspen, Balsam Poplar, Highbush Cranberries, Wild Raspberries, Willows, Wild Roses, Hazelnut, Chokecherries and Saskatoons, all indigenous plants of Alberta There are many wildlife trails that criss-cross this island of a forest, surrounded by farmlands, Resident moose, deer, coyotes and fox, and forest Spirit Animals make their home in the forest include the occasional beaver or black bear, and the eagle and raven, that fly overhead or nest in the tree tops.
There are large areas set aside for the growing of sacred plants such as sweet grass, sage, nettle and kinnikinnick. Tipis offer traditional spaces where visiting Elders can offer ceremonial gatherings, teachings, ghost dances and stories, where a survivor could share and reflect on their experience.
We are currently offering two experiences for guests to explore our Healing Forest: Turtle Island Conservation Program & Earth Walks Program.
We are proud to partner with Prairie Gardens to deliver our Healing Forest Programs.
3-hour Interpretive Program – The objectives of our Turtle Island Conservation program:
As part of the program, the youth will have numerous hands-on immersive learning opportunities to learn about the Medicine Wheel, and the teachings shared by Knowledge Keeper, Elder Bill Bertschy (Prairie Gardens’ Resident Elder).
1.5 Hour Interpretive Program. Our Earthwalks Program has the following objectives:
Our Earthwalk Program is built on the concept of structured fun, not unstructured play! Earthwalks are not frivolous but carefully guided.
Over the course of our Earthwalks Program, children will learn how to:
We are booking our “Turtle Island Conservation” program now. Guided tours take a full 3 hours. Please check with your bus company about loading and driving times, as you will want to be prompt in order not miss a moment of this program. Please call 780-921-2272 to discuss your tour itinerary.
Grades 2-12. University or other teaching programs can also be accommodated. This is an active program as we will walk through the forest trails and the surrounding farm land! We can modify the program to be age-appropriate.
We are booking our “Earth Walks” program now. Guided tours take 1.5 hours. Please check with your bus company about loading and driving times, as you will want to be prompt in order not miss a moment of this program. Please call 780-921-2272 to discuss your tour itinerary.
Grades 2-12, though is especially relevant for grade 6 students. This is an active program as we will walk through the forest trails and the surrounding farm land! We can modify the program to be age-appropriate.
The Seven Grandfather Teachings are a set of traditional Indigenous teachings that originate from the Anishinaabe people, but are also shared by other Indigenous cultures. The Turtle Island Healing Forest will feature 7 hand-carved totem poles representing each of the 7 teachings.
The beaver represents wisdom and reminds us to use our intelligence and knowledge to live a good life.
The eagle represents love and teaches us to have compassion and respect for all beings.
The buffalo represents respect and reminds us to treat all things with respect, including ourselves, others, and the natural world.
The bear represents bravery and teaches us to have courage in the face of adversity and to stand up for what is right.
The sabe (a type of bird) represents honesty and reminds us to always speak the truth and act with integrity.
The wolf represents humility and teaches us to be humble and to recognize our own limitations.
The turtle represents truth and reminds us to be truthful in all our actions and to live a life of honesty and integrity.