Part One: Reconciliation Begins Within
Images of hundreds of women who came before me scrolled through my mind’s eye as I sat cradled in the limbs of a Grandmother Cedar Tree. Water streamed from my eyes, my body sensing their pain, and my spirit reminding me of my connection to every one of them. Her trunk, concealed in the earth, stood as a reminder of roots and lineage. Her limbs reached out like a reawakening, inviting me to receive her medicine. Surrendering in her heart centre, I absorbed the instructions that would shape my life. In that moment, I began to understand who I was meant to be in this world.
I grew up knowing I had Indigenous roots. My father would say, “You are Indian, and don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are not.” Yet as a child I could not comprehend his words. I held onto them as truth, but I had little understanding of what it meant. For years I lived with that knowing but without connection — identifying as Indian and Iroquois but without the teachings, the community, or the ceremonies to ground me.
It was not until 2005, when my son was four years old, that Grandmother Cedar extended her invitation to healing. At that time in my life, I felt an absence of nurturing. Quietly, I pleaded for help. I longed for reconnection but could not afford the cost of attending a retreat. By grace, I was offered the chance to serve in the kitchen, and so I arrived — a helper searching for healing.
From the moment I stepped onto the land, I felt the call. The drumming wings of the Grouse echoed in my chest, its slow tempo spiraling into a rapid beat. I surrendered to the land, honoured the sun, and became the water. For the first time in my life, I felt surrounded by love and immersed in belonging. That retreat was my first sweat lodge, my first teachings, my first step into the Indigenous world I had always carried inside but had never been able to access.
I returned home transformed. I spoke of that retreat as often as I could, just to keep the sensation alive within me. Living from that place of magic and belonging ignited a fire that had been waiting for me. It prepared me for what would come next.
At the very same time, across the country, Survivors of residential schools were beginning to tell their stories to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Their testimonies were creating a record of harms endured — the separation from family, the suppression of language, the abuse and neglect, the loss of culture. From their courage came the 94 Calls to Action, offering Canada a path forward.
But reconciliation, I came to learn, was not only a matter of government policies and public apologies. For me, it began with the restoration of my own sense of self. My Indigenous lineage is carried through my father’s side: his grandmother, the last to live in her home community, who died at only 29; his mother, gone by 42; and my father himself, taken at 52. None of them had the chance to tell their stories. They did not find a place of belonging in the society around them. But through Grandmother Cedar, I received the message that this responsibility was now mine. Grandmother’s Voice is the voice of my ancestors.
To reconcile is to remember who you are. Once you find out who you are, you cannot un-know. It is a gift and a responsibility. Knowing who I am, where I come from, and why I am here has given me a profound sense of belonging and purpose. For me, reconciliation is this process of reconciling with myself, before I can be in relationship with anyone else. And in truth, this is not just my purpose — it is everyone’s.
There is an Indigenous teaching that says we choose our parents before we enter the mother’s womb. We arrive on this earth already carrying our purpose. Even before our first breath, we inherit energies and experiences passed down through generations, imprinted in our DNA. Western science now affirms what Indigenous wisdom has known forever: intergenerational experiences shape us. It is our responsibility to uncover and release the burdens that prevent us from living Mino-Bimaadiziwin (the Good Life). When we reconcile with ourselves, we return to pure love.
Reconciliation, in its truest sense, is not about statistics, status cards, or bureaucratic definitions. It is about love — especially self-love born from self-understanding. When we learn who we are and embrace it fully, we can no longer deny our responsibilities to one another or to this land. That is the beginning of reconciliation.
The cedar bent to hold me close,
her roots remembered what I’d forgotten.
Water fell from my eyes,
and the earth drank my sorrow as medicine.
The Grouse drummed my heartbeat awake,
reminding me that I belong.
I stepped into myself with trembling feet,
guided by voices I could not yet name.
The first moccasins were small,
but they carried me home.
Presented by Samantha Doxtater
Presented by GRANDMA RENEE
In a world seeking direction, Indigenous teachings offer clear and enduring policies for how to live in harmony with one another and the Earth. This workshop invites participants to explore the profound lessons of the Two Row Wampum Belt and other wampum belts as frameworks for mutual respect, environmental care, and collective well-being. These belts, created long before colonization, embody ancestral agreements that guide humanity on how to coexist with honor, dignity, and reciprocity.
Led by Grandmother Renee, this session emphasizes the importance of relearning and honoring the policies established by our ancestors, rather than creating new paths disconnected from this wisdom. Through the teachings of the belts, participants will uncover the principles of self-care, stewardship of the land, and respect for all beings. This is not about inventing something new—it is about rediscovering the instructions that were always there and committing to uphold them.
Key Takeaways:
Through this workshop, participants will be reminded that the wisdom of the belts is not only a guide for Indigenous communities but a path for all of humanity to walk together in respect and care for one another and the Earth.
Presented by Grandma Gail and Angela DeMontigny
Ceremony is more than tradition—it is a deliberate practice rooted in wisdom, responsibility, and foresight. This workshop explores the “science of ceremony” as a guide to living with intention and accountability for the next seven generations. Our ancestors used ceremony to prepare for the future, ensuring that their actions would benefit not only their own time but also those yet to come. Now, it is our responsibility to carry that practice forward.
Led by Grandmother Gail, this session will examine what has been lost and the actions we must take to restore, respect, and reclaim the ceremonial practices that ensure the well-being of future generations. Participants will be encouraged to reconnect with ceremony as a means of healing, reflection, and renewal, building a foundation of responsibility to guide us in restoring balance and harmony.
Key Takeaways:
Through this workshop, participants will rediscover the transformative power of ceremony as a pathway to healing, accountability, and preparation for a sustainable and harmonious future. Together, we will reaffirm our responsibility to the generations to come.
Presented by Asha Frost
Join Asha Frost, an Indigenous healer, teacher, and bestselling author, for a transformative workshop rooted in traditional teachings and the power of self-discovery. Asha’s work often centers on reconnecting with ancestral wisdom, embracing one’s authentic self, and creating pathways for healing and empowerment. Drawing from her Anishinaabe roots, she weaves stories, teachings, and practical tools to inspire participants to reclaim their power and align with their purpose.
Through her signature blend of traditional healing practices and modern insights, Asha guides participants in understanding how to honor their own journey, navigate challenges with resilience, and embrace the interconnectedness of all beings. This workshop is an invitation to explore the sacred within and around us, fostering personal growth and collective transformation.
Key Takeaways:
Whether you are seeking personal healing, professional inspiration, or a deeper connection to traditional wisdom, this session with Asha Frost promises to be a profound and enriching experience.
Presented by Allen Sutherland
The Seven Fires prophecy, as shared by seven prophets across different time periods, offers profound guidance for humanity’s path forward. According to Anishinaabe oral tradition, these teachings speak to the choices we face when the world has been polluted, and the waters turned bitter by disrespect. The prophecy teaches that humanity must choose between materialism and spirituality—one path leading to survival and the other to destruction.
In this workshop, Mishoomis Allen will guide participants through the teachings of the Seven Fires prophecy, exploring its relevance in today’s world and its call for spiritual renewal. Additionally, he will share his Canadian Indigenous Historical Timeline, providing a broader context for understanding the cultural, social, and spiritual significance of these teachings.
Key Takeaways:
This workshop offers an opportunity to reflect deeply on humanity’s collective responsibility and the transformative power of choosing a spiritual path for the survival of future generations.
Presented by Thohahoken Michael Doxtater
In this session, Thohahoken Michael Doxtater explores the ongoing impact of Canada’s colonial policies on Indigenous communities and the historical journey toward Truth and Reconciliation. He examines the systemic attempts to erase Indigenous identity, from residential schools to the suppression of cultural practices, and highlights Indigenous resilience and legal resistance. The presentation also delves into the concept of the “Canada Rafter,” a historical agreement acknowledging Canada’s adoption into the Indigenous Longhouse, raising the question: Has Canada truly upheld its responsibilities in this relationship?
