2026 Pilot Cohort

Start date:
mid-late January 2026

Duration: 
~9 weeks

Flexible timeline:
7 sessions in-person & online

Indigenous?
You may qualify for a subsidy.

FAQ & Syllabus
Coming soon.
​"Reclaiming Stewardship:
A Land-Based Pilot Cohort in Ethics, Food, and Practice"

Overview
Reclaiming Stewardship is a small, carefully designed pilot cohort for people who want to move beyond abstraction and engage seriously with what land-based living actually asks of us.
This program uses food, material practice, and shared work as the learning medium. Participants move through a guided arc that combines live online sessions with in-person practice, grounded in ethics, accountability, and care for land, materials, and community.

This is not a retreat, and it is not a casual workshop series.

It is a structured learning cohort for people willing to show up thoughtfully, work with their hands, and reflect on responsibility — not simply collect experiences.
Participants leave
​not just with skills, but with a deeper understanding of the ethical frameworks that guide how we live, work, and relate with land and community.

​As a pilot cohort member, you will shape the curriculum itself, influence future iterations, and be part of a named alumni group for ongoing learning and connection.
Why a Pilot Cohort?
This offering is intentionally framed as an intensive yet flexible pilot program.

Participants are not simply attending — they are helping shape a model we intend to refine and potentially adapt for future educational partnerships, including community institutions, Indigenous-led learning environments, and continuing education contexts.

As a pilot participant, you will be invited to offer feedback on both content and structure.
Future iterations of this program are expected to be offered at a higher rate.

Program Structure:

Duration: approximately 9 weeks

The program is designed to allow learning to settle between sessions, rather than compressing everything into a single intensive.

Online Learning (3 Sessions)
All online sessions are delivered live and recorded for cohort participants. The online sessions provide ethical orientation and context that informs and deepens the hands-on experiences in person.

Session 1 — Orientation & Ethics
An introduction to land-based stewardship as a responsibility rather than an identity. We explore ethics, limits, safety, and clarity around what this program does — and does not — offer.

​Session 2 — Food, Skill & Systems
A deeper look at food systems, processing, waste, and why practical skills matter. This session bridges the first and second in-person gatherings and supports integration.

Session 3 — Integration & Responsibility
How learning is carried forward without overreach. We focus on discernment, accountability, and what stewardship looks like after the program ends.

In-Person Practice (3 Workshops)

1. Drum-Making
Participants build a traditional, durable elk hide drum on a cedar frame, learning patience, material care, and process. The emphasis is on creating a real instrument meant to be used — not a decorative object.

2. Hide Processing & Material Use
Hands-on work with hide, exploring continuity between food, material use, and knowledge transmission. We examine why “byproduct” is a misleading concept and how waste is often structural rather than inevitable.

3. Venison Processing, Cooking & Shared Meal
An afternoon of butchering, cooking, and eating together. This session completes the arc from land → food → body → community.

In-Person Wrap-Up
A facilitated closing session. Participants will have created something that represents their commitment to ethical stewardship and will offer a short presentation on it, followed by reflection, integration, and feedback. This is where learning is consolidated and participants help inform future iterations of the program.

What’s Included
  • Three live online learning sessions (with recordings)
  • Three in-person workshops
  • All materials (drum materials, hide, food)
  • Shared land-based meals
  • Instruction grounded in real, lived practice
  • Participation in a pilot cohort shaping future offerings

Time Commitment
Participants can expect approximately 35–45 hours total over the duration of the program, including:
  • Online sessions
  • In-person workshops
  • Light between-session reflection and preparation

Between sessions, participants will be invited to do non-traditional “homework” — short reflections, observations, or simple practices designed to deepen attention rather than test knowledge.

Cohort Size
8 participants maximum
This limit ensures depth, care, and meaningful engagement.

Investment

Pilot Cohort Rate: $999
This rate reflects the pilot nature of the program.
Future iterations are expected to be offered at a higher cost.

Indigenous Participation & Accessibility
We are committed to Indigenous participation and access, while keeping the cohort cohesive and financially viable. For this pilot, one of the following options will be offered (final structure will be confirmed before applications open):
  • One fully sponsored Indigenous participant spot for the full cohort;
    or
  • Three subsidized spots offering $200 off the total program cost
Sponsored or subsidized participation is offered by application, based on readiness and group fit.
(Separately, two fully sponsored Indigenous spots are available for the stand-alone drum-making workshop through proceeds from a recent drum raffle.)

Who This Program Is For

This cohort is for people who:
  • value depth over novelty
  • are comfortable with hands-on work and reflection
  • understand that learning does not equal permission or expertise
  • are willing to engage ethically with land-based practices
  • can offer thoughtful feedback as part of a pilot group
This program is not designed for casual hobbyists or for those seeking certification.

Instruction & Facilitation
The program is co-facilitated by Susheela Kundargi and David Fierro (Xa Xa Smanxwt), co-founders of The Healing Place – Tsi-Tesakotitsén:tha.

David Fierro (Xa Xa Smanxwt) brings deep Indigenous knowledge and practice to the cohort, leading instruction in drum-making, hide processing, ethical harvesting, and land-based skills. His work is grounded in traditional teachings alongside decades of experience in environmental assessment, remediation, and high-level negotiations related to land and resource stewardship.

Susheela Kundargi brings extensive land-based experience alongside systems thinking, program design, and trauma-informed facilitation. She leads the ethical framing, integration, and reflective components of the cohort, supports participants in making sense of their learning within broader food and land systems, and guides the cooking, shared meals, and group process that anchor learning in care and responsibility.

How to Apply
Participation is by application to ensure readiness and group fit.
👉 Apply here: [Application Specific Email]
​​
Testimonials:

"The Collective has witnessed firsthand the positive impact that David Fierro and Susheela Kundargi have had in our community through their tireless work facilitating drum-making workshops, field-dressing and food harvesting sessions, and their active presence in at the local market and public events. Their work consistently builds bridges across generations and cultures, reconnecting people with the land and each other. We are especially excited about [the program's] role in fostering Indigenous food security in our region." ~ Mayne Island Collective

"Their mission to provide land-based learning and increase sustainability of Indigenous knowledgesystems has so far manifested in providing unique and much-needed opportunities such as deer processing, food preservation skills, and cultural awareness and teachings through drum-making and art workshops. They have led the community-strengthening Mayne Island Growers initiative that brings together formerly disparate food growers in a collaborative marketing venture, along with inspiration and education for the buyers to see the compounding benefits of purchasing local produce. Their ideas and vision for innovative ways to weave together Indigenous and non-Indigenous food and knowledge systems goes way beyond these examples, and we are excited to see what they can achieve..." ~ GIFC (Gulf Islands Food Co-op)

"I was very enthusiastic to have the opportunity to take a fallow deer carcass and hide
processing workshop from THP last year in 2024 on Mayne Island. I was impressed by their
knowledge and experience in and dedication to preserving and sharing cultural teachings
through these workshops." ~M.Benson, Pender Island

"I fully support [THP's] initiative as it preserves and passes along cultural practices and
empowers future community leaders to reconnect with their heritage and history. For me, this is
a primary component to community revitalization and reconciliation." ~A.Hain, former drum-making workshop participant, retired Natural Resources Canada-Canadian Forest Service, Tulloch Farm, Mayne Island.

"I am a retired engineer with a rather linear-thinking mind that sometimes has trouble fully appreciating historical, social, and spiritual concepts. David's deep connection and knowledge of his native roots, coupled with his confident and no-nonsense presentation of these ideas, has made a lasting impression on me." ~ W.Korol, Mayne Island, former drum-making workshop participant.

"I really enjoy the variety of services you offer so I can connect with a community and get individual attention as needed. Susheela's warmth, nonjudgmental energy, and humor always allow me to feel very comfortable and safe to open up and share honestly. I always feel heard and deeply supported, like she hears what is going on in my mind! Working with you has helped me to have a much more positive view of myself, validated my gifts, and has given me the confidence and trust to follow my passions with a full and open heart." ~ R. Kulhay, therapist, CT, USA.

research & education
We are interested in establishing and nurturing partnerships with individuals and organizations dedicated to creating and preserving sustainable futures. Innovators, graduate students, and companies involved in green technology and research projects related to agriculture, agroforestry, livestock, botany, green technology, sustainable energy, and similar fields are encouraged to formally request the use of a portion of our land for their research. However, it is important that their work supports organic farming and does not harm the environment. 
Submit a proposal here or schedule a discovery call with us.

workshops

Recent/Past Workshops & Programs

A 4-HOUR drum demo (24") For ECEBC Mayne & Pender - November 23.
Team Building - For the Early Childhood Educators/Mentors of Mayne Island & Pender Island.

Participants learned by watching the traditional art of drum-making. David prepared a 24" cedar drum round in advance, along with an elk hide for the skin and stringing. The participants worked together to make tom-toms, had a chance to do a little threading of the string, and David will finish the drum on his own and we'll present it to the group once completed.

Let us know if you if your group is interested in similar team-building activities.
Email Susheela to enquire about your group idea.
September 14-15
2-day all-inclusive workshop for 10 students. @ Ravenrock Farm on  Pender Island.
Proposed Land-Based learning Program Outlines
Overview:
  • We’re in the process of negotiating a farm purchase in the ALR on Mayne Island (SḴŦAḴ in the SENĆOŦEN language), where we will offer a variety of land-based workshops.
Introduction:
  • Brief overview of the farm and its significance as a land-based learning and healing space.
  • Acknowledgment of Indigenous land and peoples.
  • Introduction to the principles of Indigenous land-based education and healing.
Day Programming:
  • Morning Welcome and Land Acknowledgment.
  • Traditional Knowledge Sharing Circle: Elders or Knowledge Keepers share teachings about the land, plants, and cultural practices.
  • Land-Based Activities: Hands-on experiences such as planting, weeding, and harvesting in the Medicine Wheel Garden and Permaculture Garden.
  • Writing Workshop: Writing prompts provided for self-expression and reflection on experiences.
  • Healing Circles: Guided discussions or ceremonies focused on personal and collective healing, facilitated by Indigenous healers or counsellors.
  • Traditional Food Preparation: Learning to prepare traditional Indigenous foods using ingredients sourced from the land.
  • Closing Reflection: Sharing insights and experiences from the day, expressing gratitude to the land and community.
Weekend Programming:
  • Extended Traditional Knowledge Sharing Circle: Delve deeper into specific aspects of Indigenous culture, such as language revitalization, storytelling, or ceremonial practices.
  • Land-Based Skills Workshops: Hands-on workshops on traditional crafts, such as weaving, carving, rattle-making, deer processing, pottery (eventually), or hide tanning.
  • Nature Walks and Medicinal Plant Identification: Guided walks to identify and learn about the medicinal properties of plants growing on the farm, as well as ocean/beach walks and forest hikes.
  • Drum-making Workshop Option: Full weekend mostly dedicated to crafting traditional drums under the guidance of an Indigenous drum master builder.
  • Survival Skills Workshop Option: Learn essential skills for outdoor survival, including fire-making (except during fire ban), shelter-building, hunting, and navigation.
  • Community Feast: Gathering to share traditional foods and celebrate community connections.
  • Evening Storytelling and Cultural Performances: Share stories, songs, and dances around the fire (except during the fire ban) to honour Indigenous culture and heritage.
Week-Long Programming:
  • Intensive Land-Based Learning: Immersive experience focusing on specific aspects of Indigenous knowledge, such as land stewardship, herbal medicine, or sustainable farming practices.
  • Cultural Immersion Activities: Participate in traditional ceremonies, rituals, and rites of passage under the guidance of Indigenous elders.
  • Collaborative Projects: Work together on community-based projects that contribute to the farm's sustainability and the well-being of Indigenous communities, including maintenance of the Medicine Wheel Garden and Permaculture Garden.
  • Writing Workshop: Continued self-expression and reflection through writing prompts.
  • Seasonal Tasks: Participate in seasonal activities such as seed-saving, food preservation, or preparing the land for winter.
  • Survival Skills Practice: Apply survival skills learned during the weekend workshop to real-life scenarios on the farm.
  • Reflection and Integration: Daily reflections and group discussions to process learnings and insights, supporting personal growth and transformation.
  • Closing Ceremony: This is a ceremony to honour the journey, express gratitude to the land, elders, and community, and set intentions for carrying forward the teachings and healing gained during the week.
Add-ons:
  • Culinary Arts and Homesteading Skills - In house or regional chefs teaching a variety of seasonal food related workshops. (Could include guest teachers for cheesemaking, sourdough, fermentations, etc.)
  • Art-Therapy Image Collage on Wood: Express creativity through mixed-media art sessions focused on creating collages on wood that reflect the multi-faceted self.
  • Writing Workshop: Finding your voice and telling your story.
  • Deer Processing Workshop: Learn traditional hunting and processing methods, including butchering and preserving meat.
  • Salve-making Workshop: Utilize medicinal plants harvested from the land to create healing salves, ointments, and hydrosols.
  • Foraging and Teas & Medicine Making: Learn ethical foraging practices and create herbal medicines under the guidance of knowledgeable instructors.
  • Various groups: Men’s group, women’s group, elder’s health group, teen group, post-treatment integration group, restorative health and well-being, diabetes diet and prevention, substance use prevention, grief and loss.

healing
Susheela’s healing practice integrates EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), Ho'oponopono, intuitive bodywork, meditations, mindfulness, and land-based reconnection therapy. These approaches are applied in individual sessions, reflective practices, fieldwork, and group settings, within a supportive, trauma-informed framework.

While our programs are designed for anyone seeking personal growth and well-being, we are particularly well-equipped to support groups and communities who have experienced trauma, helping participants process stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, addiction, grief, and disconnection. By combining mental, emotional, and physical approaches with opportunities for connection to land and community, participants build resilience, restore purpose, and strengthen overall well-being.


Through this integrated approach, our work supports healing not only for individuals, but also for the communities and environments they inhabit, encouraging collective resilience, connection, and renewal.