Turtle Island Healing Forest Conservation Project

Recently registered as a National Healing Forest, this 40-acre forest, located on Treaty 6 Territory, is the first of its kind in Alberta.

The Payhonin Healing Forest Turtle Island Conservation Project is championed by respected Elder, Bill Bertschy (Nephew of Chief Dan George) and Farmer/Land Care Taker, Tam Andersen. The sprawling forest and trail system will be centered around the 7 Grandfather Teachings on hand-carved Totem Poles, designed by Elder Bill, of the Standing Bear Clan, who hails originally from the Cedar Forests of the Salish Nation.

The forest intends to hold outdoor gathering places for ceremony, reflection, meditation, and prayers. As a Knowledge Keeper and Sweat Lodge Elder, Bill has masterfully carved harmonious walking trails through this old-growth parkland boreal forest of Spruce, Trembling Aspen, Balsam Poplar, Highbush Cranberries, Wild Raspberries, Willows, Wild Roses, Hazelnut, Chokecherries and Saskatoons, all indigenous plants of Alberta. Many wildlife trails crisscross this island of a forest, surrounded by farmlands, resident moose, deer, coyotes and foxes, and forest Spirit Animals make their home in the forest. You may also see the occasional beaver or black bear, and the eagle and raven, that fly overhead or nest in the tree tops.

There are large areas set aside for the growing of medicinal sacred plants such as sweet grass, sage, nettle and kinnikinnick. Tipis offer traditional spaces where visiting Elders can offer ceremonial gatherings, teachings, ghost dances and stories, where a survivor could share and reflect on their experience.

We are encouraging the community and students who visit the farm to take action to support truth and reconciliation and hope to encourage others to develop Healing or Fruit Forests to build self-reliance, sustainability and regional food security.

With support from your generous donations, Healing Forests can be developed by non-indigenous Canadians, with the involvement of Indigenous Peoples, with respect and reconciliation at its roots. With the guidance of Elder Bill, the community is supporting the expansion of Canada's forests and biodiversity through the conservation of important habitats. We are intent on sharing the First Nations' culture and history, forging new friendships, and creating bridges of understanding with land-based learning, and a return to a better way of life.