It was a bright sunny day for attendees of the Canadian Urban Forest Conference to spend time at Kapabamayak Achaak Healing Forest on October 17, 2024.
Forest Keepers were on site to share the history, traditional knowledge and the continuing journey of the Healing Forest.
A land acknowledgement was read by Keeper Thelma Hanson which was followed by Keeper Rachelle Carlisle sharing the story of Kapabamayak Achaak (Wandering Spirit.)
Rachelle shared teachings of the symbols on the Fire Guard, the history of the Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks in the Cardinal directions and information about the trees and traditional medicines growing in the forest.
Keeper Deb Radi spoke of the initial conversation that she and the late Keeper Lee Anne Block had in response to the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and the journey that followed including the design, fundraising and governance to create KAHF.
Keep Judy Wasylycia-Leis spoke of the critical work of community engagement from the beginning of the project that continues to shape the decisions made today.
Following a lively question and answer period, the guests had a tour and were welcomed to wander through the forest.
One of guests was a former colleague of Lee Anne’s and was unaware she had passed away.
He was quite moved to see the project that she was such an integral part of creating become a reality and to see how her spirit is honoured in our organization.
The allotted time flew by but the Keepers felt that we had stirred their curiosity and hopefully planted the seeds for Healing Forests across Canada.
Learn more about how the Healing Forest and its Keepers serve the community in our 2024 annual report.