Ha-Shilth-Sa spent some time with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Quu?asa Mental Health team on June 6 as part of its three-day women’s healing retreat held at Seven Springs near Parksville.
The day was filled with laughter, good company and a few healing tears as the ladies took part in activities and workshop sessions.
See photos at the bottom of this report.
On this day in the morning, women took part in a sharing session with counsellor Tooie Casavant who encouraged the women to open up to accept the positive in the world and release the negative, their worries and fears, past trauma and grief.
At the end of the session, the women each wrote out on a piece of paper all the things that make them feel shame or guilt and then the group walked through a wooded area to a clearing where the papers were set alight and offered up to the Creator.
Brushings were offered throughout the day, as were self-care activities, like cedar-bark weaving, and lessons on creating appliqued crests.
In the afternoon the ladies created their own lotions with essential oils. Wellness counsellors were on hand for private sessions, massage therapies. Haircuts, manicures and make up were done in preparation for the after-dinner activity, a fashion show where the participants became models of designs by Joyce Little.
The retreat continues today until noon. A men’s gathering is planned in Esperanza. Call Quu?asa at 250-724-3939 for details.
