Tag Archives: First Nations

Getting to Now

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For over a decade, my spouse and I have been running Canada’s
oldest, organic, permaculture orchard and medicinal herb farm in the Southern Interior of BC. Here I educate and make my own line of herbal products. Our farm is certified with Kootenay Mountain Grown, of which I am a board member. I am actively involved in Indigenous Education and love giving herb walks and workshops to both adults and children. Our orchard is located within Sinixt First Nations territory and we try to steward the land for future generations.


I have a private clinical practice, giving health consultations and Qi
Gong treatments. With the onset of COVID, I moved my clinical practice
outdoors into the orchard and have had such a positive response from clients that I plan to keep running the outdoor treatments (weather permitting), appreciating the healing contribution of the trees and natural environment.


I am also a Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate of Ontario College of Art and Design University in Toronto. By letting our inner muse take flight, I believe that a very intimate form of healing can manifest through artistic expression. Combining this personal, creative release with the healing gifts of Nature frees us to pursue our true potential and helps us to avoid illness deriving from unfulfilled ambition.

The Value of Education

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Along with my Master Herbalist diploma, I am grateful to have extensive training in First Nations herbal traditions, particularly that of the Lil’wat Nation. Having my Permaculture Design Certificate supports my belief that growing in accordance with Nature is the sustainable way of now and the future.

One of my main mentors was the late Morgan Wells, Herbalist and Acting Chief from Mt. Currie. Some of the things he taught me include that in any given area, there are approximately nine local herbs that will treat the usual conditions that arise in the given region and climate. He also recommended that each year, a person should learn one herb very thoroughly. That means learn it in all its phases: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. One should make it into as many appropriate medicines that can be thought of (being cautious of toxicity, of course) whether that is a tea, tincture, oil, salve, cream, dream pillow, vinegar, glycerite, amulet, etc. Be sure to meditate with this plant as well, to learn its inner secrets. Learning in this way, we will always remember the plant, its identification in all seasons, its myriad of uses and more.

Having taught for many institutions, including the UBC Global Studies Program, UBC Farm, Simon Fraser University, the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, the Canadian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capilano College, Van Dusen Gardens, Squamish First Nations Witness Weekend, along with ten years in the Alternative Health Program at Douglas College, has helped me to share this knowledge and to never stop learning.