Retreat promotes healthy living through unification

Observer Staff

11/5/2003 12:00:00 AM

From sunrise ceremonies to a midnight sweat lodge, local women recently experienced wholesome mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.

Participants attending the first Women's Health Retreat Sept. 14-16 were brought together to relax, share and learn wellbeing at the Ralph A. MacMullan Center on Higgins Lake.

Women ranging from 15 to 70-years-old enjoyed various sessions including beading, candle making, reflexology, shield making, herb and nature walks, as well as talking circles. Several helped build the lodge close to the beach and joined in a sweat. Women sought out health screenings and received personal instruction. Brief nutrition talks addressed questions on diabetes, cholesterol, sodium, water and weight control.

"What a wonderful escape," commented an Elder on the trip. "I feel so relaxed, this is just what I needed."

The retreat was set in motion as interest sparked from a Nimkee Health Fair survey last winter. Though initiated and coordinated by Nimkee Community Health Women's Health programs, the retreat truly became a cooperative venture, planned and enacted by community women. The goal was to bring together community women, from teens to Elders, to strengthen and unify.

It was decided to not bring in an "outside" speaker. The group knew that within the community, there were women every bit as knowledgeable as any outside "expert."

"While organizing the event, we incorporated a lot of local women to find out what things they would enjoy, and also selected women from the community to share their knowledge through traditional teachings," said Debbie Squillets.

All presenters donated their time and skills. Several volunteers appeared at the last minute, and offset unexpected changes. Volunteers included Darcy Sprague, Cindy Quigno, Daisy Kostus, Wilma Henry, Gordon Henry Jr. and friends, Carla Sheahan, Sally Van Cise, Sandy Chesebrough and Tina McPhall.

Per tradition, men and women helped build the sweat, as each have specific roles. Gordon Henry Jr. cut saplings on Sept. 13 for the sweat. The women went to the cutting site the following day, put down tobacco, and hauled the saplings to the lodge site. He returned that evening around 8 p.m. with his friends and proceeded to dig holes and implant the poles, while the women tied the poles. He also started the fire, with some of the rocks from Waswanipi, Kostus' homeland in northern Quebec.

Funding for the retreat was through an Inter-Tribal Grant and Nimkee funds.

While some materials were purchased, much was donated. Special thanks goes to Seventh Generation and Cindy Quigno for their contributions.

"Women are the core of the community and it's important for them to realize that," said Nimkee Women's Health Coordinator Tina McPhall. "This was an opportunity to educate them with health information regarding exercise, nutrition and osteoporosis, by allowing them to enjoy the tranquility and serenity of the weekend."