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

December 21& 22 (Solstice)  or January 11&12

A 2-day all-inclusive workshop for up to 10 students. 
Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 3:30 pm (Special surprises in-store for the solstice.)
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David will lead the workshop, where participants will learn the traditional art of drum-making. He has prepared thick red cedar drum rounds in advance, along with elk hides and bear grease for conditioning. The workshop will cover traditional techniques, including working with elk hides and string, waxing the frames, constructing the tom-tom, long-term drum care, and learning about traditional protocols and practices.
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location
314 Mariners Way, Mayne Island. Snacks provided.

Let us know if you require other payment options: e-transfer or Klarna.
Email Susheela to enquire about this or use the link below to register and pay.

January 11-12 Elk hide on cedar, drum-making workshop on Mayne Island

CA$350.00
REGISTER & PAY

Special Winter Solstice "Elk Hide on Cedar" Drum-making workshop on Mayne Island

CA$350.00
REGISTER & PAY

Recent/Past/Upcoming 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.
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location
Mayne Island. 

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 primarily uses EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), which works with the body's energy meridians, NLP (neuro-linguistic programming), Ho'oponopono, intuitive bodywork, meditations, mindfulness, and a form of land-reconnection therapy in her healing practice. Individual sessions, reflective time, fieldwork, group work, and a healthy diet and environment all contribute to improving one's mental state and sense of purpose. These methods can help with conditions such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, burnout, stress, addiction, loneliness, fatigue, and lack of purpose. You can find more details on the Soul Method Healing website.