HEALING LODGE PROGRAM

A PROJECT OF THE NATIVE FRIENDSHIP CENTRE OF MONTREAL

Healing is a journey - we believe in re-connecting to our traditional ways of being, our native languages and the land. This is often difficult for those of us living in an urban environment. We are proud to provide opportunities for cultural and ceremonial gatherings through the Healing Lodge Program for Residential School Survivors, Intergenerational Survivors, and the Urban Native community of Montreal.

All activities of the Healing Lodge program are FREE -  priority for participation is for Residential School Survivors and their family members. We strongly encourage the Urban Native community members to attend, who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit and Metis, as well as Indigenous from other regions of the world. If you do not identify as any of the aforementioned groups, please do not hesitate to connect and learn more about participating and supporting this initiative.

For all inquiries relating to the Healing Lodge Program, please email:

nfcm.healinglodge@gmail.com

2017/2018 Workshops

Indigenous Parenting Group

Cedar and Gold Yoga Programs

Smudge. Relax. Revitalize.

• Trauma-sensitive Yoga and therapeutic yoga for Women / Men (individual and group sessions offered)

• Yoga for Correctional Institutions

• Yoga for Youth + Children

• Yoga and Meditation for Mothers (pre/post natal)

• Chair and Modified Yoga for Elders

• Yoga sessions for conferences, trainings and health breaks

For private instruction or inquiries for adapting yoga programs into your organization, CONTACT US for a consultation.

ALL MY RELATIONS MEDITATION

Guided meditation sessions for individuals to connect to their breath, physical body and community. This practice includes breathing techniques, relaxation practices, and traditional medicines.

THUNDERBIRD YOGA

A yoga practice for Youth (13-18 years) with a focus on strength, balance, having fun, connecting to self, others and the land. We will combine yoga postures, meditation techniques, Indigenous and yogic philosophy for youth well-being and empowerment. 

WOLF CLAN YOGA

A 45-60 minute yoga practice for children (5-12 years) and their families with a focus on empowerment, connection to nature, and building a strong pack and pack leaders.  Expect a variety of yoga poses inspired by wild animals in the natural world, storytelling, relaxation, breathing techniques and some howling!  

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

Language. Creativity. Community.

A 3-5 day interactive and culturally-adaptable program that develops a Community Mural with youth and community participants. Guided by Vincent Dumoulin, these projects are effective in empowering youth and organizations to establish and share values through artistic expression. Every member of the group is involved in realization of the mural from start to finish:

• Opening prayer and healing circle
• Establish theme of mural and working groups.
• Create sketches / concepts relating to the theme.
• Outline finalized sketch on wall (indoors or outdoors)
• Paint mural in groups.
• Share stories, values and thoughts about the theme of the mural through writing, songs, dances, and documentation through video and photos.
• Closing prayer, song and blessing of the wall and Community.

These murals are ideal for nation building / strengthening, school-aged children and youth, and honouring a person who has passed on to the spirit world. 

INDIGENOUS FITNESS PROGRAM

INTERTRIBAL FITNESS

A 90-minute interactive workshop and fitness session. The first half of the workshop speaking about Core Principles of Indigenous Fitness and movement and getting motivated to be more physically active. We offer ideas for decolonizing your workout routines, establishing a Fitness Tribe and creating a culture of wellness in your home, environment and workplace. The second half is putting the principles into work and getting down to business for a full-body workout, cool-down and relaxation session. Ideal for organizations, youth groups and families.

*Fitness sessions are ideally performed outdoors on the Earth with bare feet. 

ANCESTRAL NUTRITION PROGRAM

SACRED FOODS

This is a 2-part series of interactive workshops. Part 1) We focus on identifying harmful foods and toxins in Western foods and finding solutions to decolonize our diet. Part 2) We learn how to integrate Indigenous superfoods, superherbs and basics of foraging wild foods for optimal health and well-being. We identify ways we can actively restore traditional foods into our daily nutrition and connect to our foods.  

LIVING WATER

This is a 2-part series of interactive workshops. Part 1) We focus on the healing, medicinal powers of water and hydration. Part 2) We instil the ceremonial importance of water and how we can help protect our sacred waters for the next 7 generations.

SEASONAL PROGRAMS

We collaborate with Indigenous facilitators to offer a variety of workshops relating to Plant Medicines, Food Sovereignty, Traditional Hunting and Foraging.

RECIPES

See our Journal for inspiration to integrate Traditional foods, plants and herbs into your nutrition and self-care practices.