Balancing health through the sweat lodge

Anishnawbe Mushkiki now has a sweat lodge for traditional uses on its property in Thunder Bay.
“It’s more accessible for clients to come in and participate more in the program and traditional activities,” said Corrina Gagnon, executive director at Anishnawbe Mushkiki, an Aboriginal community health centre located in Thunder Bay.
Gagnon said clients used to travel about an hour outside of Thunder Bay to use Anishnawbe Mushkiki’s sweat lodge in Dorion before the on-site sweat lodge was set up last November.
“We have had sweat lodges, but never right on our property,” said Teresa Trudeau, traditional healing coordinator at Anishnawbe Mushkiki. “We spoke to some of our supporting Elders and we were advised it was possible right here in our own back yard.”
Up to 12 people have been registering for sweat lodge ceremonies since November.
“They come back; they can’t wait for the next one,” Trudeau said. “It’s very effective for them in balancing their health. Sometimes they will be given instructions on medicines that they need for their healing, instructions on ceremonies, personal ceremonies that can help them on their way.”
Although Anishnawbe Mushkiki had a supply of 100 grandfather stones when the sweat lodge opened in November, they ran out during January.
“We’re waiting for spring and the snow to thaw and then we will be getting our grandfather rocks again,” Trudeau said.
But in the meantime, some people have been bringing their own grandfather stones to hold sweat lodge ceremonies.
Anishnawbe Mushkiki has been providing clinic services and a number of health programs for Aboriginal people in Thunder Bay over the past 10 years.