by Claire Cameron, Jason Lawrence
The Spring Tsetsusem Healing Journey is currently being planned. The scheduled dates are from May 4-8, 2020 and will once again be held at Tsetsusem (Camp Potlatch).
There are minor changes being planned for this year’s journey and the following is a brief outline of the planned activities.
Once again, there will be a total of fifteen (15) Brothers selected, nine (9) from the community, three (3) from Kwikwexwhelp Healing Village, and three (3) from Mission Minimum. It is important for the Brothers who will be attending the Healing Journey that they are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the journey, however, it is understood that everyone’s beliefs vary and will be respected.
Two Coordinators, five Elders, support boat will accompany and assist in this year’s journey.
The following is the overview of planned activities.
Weekly and Daily Schedule
***All Carries for Medication must be arranged prior to leaving.
Day One – Monday
Prep Day for the Staff and Elders.
The Brothers from the Institution will arrive on Monday.
AM ALL MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES FOR THE WEEK ARE TRANSPORTED.
8:00 am Meet at the Circle of Eagles Lodge **
9:00 am Leave for Horseshoe Bay
Brothers from Institution will proceed directly to Horseshoe Bay Government Dock. (Red Dock, the only one there)
10:00 am Water Taxi
11:30 am A rrive at Camp Potlatch
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Staff and Elders Meeting Orientation.
2:30 pm Sweat Lodge set-up
4:30 pm Sweat Lodge
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Sharing Circle
11:00 pm Power Off
***Canoe goes up on Monday.
Day Two – Tuesday
Sunrise Morning Spirit Bath at Camp Potlatch
8:00 am Meet at the Circle of Eagles Lodge **
9:00 am Van 1 – Leave for Horseshoe Bay
Van 2 – Leave for Horseshoe Bay
Van 3 – Supplies
10:00 am Water Taxi
11:30 am Arrive at Camp Potlatch
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm All Brothers and Staff Orientation. Overview of week, expectations, journals distributed, Pre-evaluation surveys are completed.
1:00 – 4:00 All Elders are available for one-on-ones whenever a Brother requires.
2:30 pm Canoe goes out for an hour
4:00 pm Sweat Lodge
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Sharing Circle
11:00 pm Power Off
Day Three – Wednesday
Sunrise Morning Spirit Bath at Camp Potlatch
8:30 am Breakfast
9:00 am Morning Traditional Workshops – Medicine Picking
10:00 am Drum Making
11:00 am Traditional Workshops – Storytelling, Anger Management, Healthy Relationships, @smokepit
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 – 4:00 Elders are available for one-on-one
1:00 pm Canoe goes out for two hours
1:00 pm Sweat Lodge prep
3:00 pm Sweat Lodge
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Sharing Circle
11:00 pm Power Off
Day Four – Thursday
Sunrise Morning Spirit Bath at Camp Potlatch
8:30 am Breakfast
9:00 am Morning Traditional Workshops – Storytelling, Anger Management, Healthy Relationships, @smokepit or longhouse weather permitting.
10:00 am Traditional songs protocols
11:00 am Traditional Workshops – Storytelling, Anger Management, Healthy Relationships, @smokepit or longhouse weather permitting.
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 – 4:00 Elders are available for one-on-one
1:00 pm Canoe goes out for two hours
1:00 pm Sweat Lodge prep
3:00 pm Sweat Lodge – Letting Go Ceremony
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Closing Ceremonies
Post evaluation surveys
11:00 pm Power Off
Day Five – Friday
Sunrise Morning Spirit Bath
8:30 Breakfast
10:00 Boat leaves Camp Potlatch
12:00 Bagged Lunch on Friday
2:00 Afternoon snack at Naa-na-himyis for the Brothers in the community.
Closing Feast and Graduation Ceremony
A Closing Feast and Graduation Ceremony will conclude the Tsetsusem Healing Journey. Participants will have an opportunity to share their experience in a closing circle to share what the experience meant for them.
There will be a final presentation from the Coordinator and Elders. Each participant will be presented with a Certificate of Completion.
Pre and Post Evaluation Survey
Once the participants arrive they will fill out a pre-evaluation survey. And then upon completion each participant will fill out a post evaluation survey. This survey will assist us make any changes if needed to the Healing Journey. As well, participants may be contacted after a few months to see where they are in their personal healing journey. The survey will be confidential and names will not be required when filling out the surveys.
Download Tsetsusem Canoe Healing Journey – Camp Potlatch (pdf booklet)
