our mission

At the Healing Place — Tsi-Tesakotitsén:tha, we are dedicated to restoring the vital connection between people, land, and food. Rooted in indigenous traditions and guided by the principles of sustainability, our mission is to empower communities to reclaim their sovereignty over food systems through sustainable practices, cultural healing, and land stewardship. Through hunting, foraging, growing, and cooking, we honour the earth’s bounty, revitalize ancestral knowledge, and work toward a more resilient, just, and ecologically balanced future.

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impact statement

"And while I stood there
I saw more than I can tell and
I understood more than I saw;
for I was seeing
in a sacred manner the shapes
of all things in the spirit,
and the shape of all shapes
as they must live together
​like one being."
~ Black Elk

At The Healing Place – Tsi-Tesakotitsén:tha, we strive to create lasting, positive change by integrating traditional indigenous practices with modern sustainability efforts. As a community-driven business, our impact is centred on three core areas:
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1. Restoring Food Sovereignty: We empower individuals and communities by providing access to sustainable, locally sourced food prioritizing wild harvests, regenerative farming, and indigenous food practices. By promoting self-sufficiency, we help mitigate food insecurity and contribute to healthier, more resilient communities.
   
   
2. Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability: Through land-based healing practices, we actively restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and promote regenerative agriculture. Our practices contribute to a more sustainable future, emphasizing ethical hunting, foraging, and farming techniques that respect the land and its resources.
   
   
3. Cultural Revitalization and Education: We honour and share indigenous knowledge through food, land stewardship, and healing practices. Educating and engaging the public supports a deeper understanding of the critical importance of land-based living and indigenous cultural preservation, inspiring collective action for environmental justice.

Through our work, we aim to build a bridge between traditional indigenous wisdom and contemporary sustainability efforts while providing economic opportunities that benefit both the community and the planet. We are committed to profitability that drives positive social and environmental outcomes, creating a lasting impact for future generations.

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theory of change

"Nature is not dumb.
Humanity is dumb when we can't hear or when we forget how
to communicate with nature. Nature is very much alive. Intelligent living beings
and vibrant energies
are all over the planet. 

"Now we are beginning
to come to a point where
human consciousness is
moving back to female energy. The Earth is crying out very loudly, and the herbalists are springing up. Women are becoming healers again. That energy is coming back.”
~Sun Bear

Vision:
A thriving, resilient, and sustainable community where people are deeply connected to the land, their food systems, and traditional indigenous knowledge, leading to a healthier, more just world for all generations.

Inputs (Resources and Actions):

1. Indigenous Knowledge & Cultural Practices:
   • ​Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), land stewardship techniques, and indigenous food sovereignty practices.
2. Land-based Healing & Food Systems:
   • Access to natural spaces for hunting, farming, foraging, art processes, ceremony, and other land-based practices.
   • Regenerative farming, sustainable hunting, and wild food harvesting methods.
3. Educational Programs and Workshops:
   • Classes, community events, and media content focused on food sovereignty, environmental sustainability, and indigenous knowledge.
4. Partnerships and Collaborations:
   • Collaborations with local organizations, other indigenous groups, and environmental advocates to amplify efforts and resources.
5. Technology and Tools:
   • Use online platforms, social media, and educational resources to extend reach and engagement.
6. Capital for Operations:
   • Revenue generated from our business activities such as workshops, local food sales, consulting, and product offerings (e.g., food products, guides, etc.), grants, and donations.

Activities (Key Actions):

1. Land-Based Healing and Food Sovereignty Programs:
   • Implement sustainable hunting practices (e.g., fallow deer hunting) and provide access to culturally appropriate food systems through farming and foraging.
   • Reconnect local and remote communities to traditional and ecological food sources.
2. Community Engagement and Education:
   • Lead workshops and educational sessions on food sovereignty, indigenous practices, sustainability, and land stewardship.
   • Facilitate collaborative community-based projects on gardening, sustainable food production and processing, and environmental conservation.
3. Promotion of Sustainable, Local Food Systems:
   • Develop and promote local food networks, including community gardens, co-ops, and food-sharing initiatives prioritizing food security and environmental resilience.
4. Cultural Revitalization and Advocacy:
   • Elevate the importance of indigenous rights, traditional and place-based food systems, and the healing power of the land and water through public education, media content, and partnerships with other organizations.

Outputs (Immediate Results):

1. Increased Access to Traditional Foods:
   • More community members can access locally sourced, culturally relevant, and sustainable food options.
2. Expanded Knowledge and Skills:
   • Individuals and families gain practical knowledge on hunting, foraging, regenerative farming, and Indigenous land stewardship practices.
3. Cultural and Environmental Awareness:
   • The public and local communities gain a deeper understanding of indigenous culture, food sovereignty, and the importance of ecological sustainability.
4. Strengthened Community Resilience:
   • Local communities become more self-sufficient in food production, reducing reliance on outside industrial food systems.

Outcomes (Medium-Term Changes):

1. Improved Food Security and Sovereignty:
   • Indigenous and non-indigenous communities alike are empowered to control their own food systems, ensuring better access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food.
2. Restored Ecosystems and Sustainable Practices:
   • Local ecosystems are nurtured and restored through regenerative farming, responsible hunting practices, and land-based healing techniques prioritizing ecological health.
3. Revitalization of Indigenous Culture and Knowledge:
   • Indigenous knowledge and practices, particularly around food sovereignty, land stewardship, and healing, are passed down to future generations and integrated into broader environmental and cultural practices.
4. Stronger Local Economy:
   • Economic opportunities are created within local communities, driven by sustainable, land-based practices that support small-scale agriculture, eco-tourism, and local food production.

Impact (Long-Term Change):

1. A More Resilient, Sustainable, and Just Society:
   • Communities have the tools and knowledge to adapt to climate change, economic shifts, and food insecurity, resulting in more resilient and self-reliant populations.
2. Indigenous Rights and Food Sovereignty Fully Realized:
   • Indigenous communities fully reclaim their traditional lands, food systems, and cultural practices, leading to greater self-determination and social justice.
3. Global Shift Toward Sustainable Food and Environmental Practices:
   • Your work catalyzes a broader movement toward sustainable and equitable food systems, inspiring regional, national, and global change.
4. Healthier Communities:
   • Improved physical and mental health for individuals who reconnect with the land, eat more nutritious, culturally relevant food, and engage in land-based healing practices

Assumptions:

• People are willing to engage with and learn about traditional practices.
• There is increasing support for sustainable, local food systems.
• Local and global food security challenges will continue, highlighting the need for innovative solutions like food sovereignty.
• Partnerships with other organizations and communities will continue to strengthen efforts.

External Factors:

• Climate change and its impact on local ecosystems and food systems.
• Policy and regulatory changes regarding land rights, food security, and indigenous sovereignty.
• Community engagement and willingness to adopt new practices.
• Availability of funding, partnerships, and resources to support growth.