With the current state of the world and specific COVID-19 guidelines in effect at the college, Lakeland's Indigenous Support Services sought alternative activities that supported students' wellbeing.

Students touching plants and grasses

“Since our Indigenous Student Lounge isn't accessible at the moment, I wanted to make sure students can access traditional medicines and be able to practice them in a space that's safe for everyone. I reached out to my knowledge keeper, and, together, we came up with the medicine walks,” says Shelly Pewapsconias, manager of Lakeland's Indigenous Support Services .

Three medicine walks were held in the Vermilion Provincial Park in September and facilitated by Indigenous Support Services and guided by Knowledge Keeper Ivy Houle (Opikinawasin) and Elder Vyna Fluney.

Students learned about traditional, medicinal and cultural practices for wellness and guidance, including introducing the four directions interpretations, followed by a walk to pick healing plants such as buffalo sage. They learned how to smudge the sage they collected and entertained stories from the guides.

Elizabeth Koehler-Lenko, a second-year child and youth care student, says the walk was a wonderful experience and recommends anyone to attend a medicine walk when the opportunity arises.

Medicinal plants are displayed on a table

 “I'm not indigenous, so it was a wonderful opportunity to get insight into a group that I might work with in my career. It's one thing to read about it, so it's great when we can get insight through experience. Since I'm Jewish, it was fascinating to learn about Indigenous beliefs and be able to put it in perspective through my own beliefs,” says Koehler-Lenko. She was one of about 12 students to participate in one of the medicine walks.

Pewapsconias says the event attracted a combination of indigenous and non-indigenous learners, which she hopes will continue to grow.

For anyone interested in discovering events and activities facilitated by Lakeland's Indigenous Support Services, as well as Indigenous information and educational opportunities, visit our webpage and the Lakeland Indigenous Facebook page.

Photos: Top-Students inspect medicinal plants at the Vermilion Provincial Park. Bottom-Medicinal plants are displayed on a table.