The Gu Nähtsey working group are local knowledge keepers, that bring with them a wealth of knowledge including a wide range of creativity and perspective on the presentation surrounding medicinal plants located on the traditional territory of the Tr’ondek Hwech’in in Dawson City.
Gu Nähtsey collaborated with Tr’ondek Hwech’in Wellness Department and held a fall workshop on November 9th at the Tr’ondek Hwech’in Hall. Respiratory wellness was the theme, Gu Nähtsey had two of their knowledge keepers presenting for this one-day event. This quarterly workshop included participants with lived experience that were all passionate about learning the traditional medicinal ways of healing.
The day started with a teaching from the facilitator, we sat in a circle, as she spoke about plants and their medicinal benefits. The facilitator shared personal stories as she talked to the group, this brought a personal touch of comfort to the workshop.
Each of the participants had the experience of taking respiratory steam. They had an option of two different steams to choose from, one being freshly picked spruce and the other being a pre-blended selection of herbs that was mixed by the class. This activity was much appreciated by all the participants, leaving them with a feeling of replenishment.
The group created a cough cold syrup, that was then bottled for each participant to take home for their own personal use. Also, a smoke mixture to be inhaled for the healing properties, a selection of plants blended for the sole purpose of being smoked. The opportunity to partake in making their own personal blend of tea, benefiting each personally. They learnt about dosage for the syrup and teas, and cautions when using medicinal plants. The workshop was a success and in total there were twelve people that attended the full day.
Gu Nähtsey started creating a medicinal plants book in early November, for the purpose of long-term documentation. Sharing the knowledge with future generations, as it stems from the First Nation culture and tradition of medicinal plants as well as the protocols of giving thanks to the land, as well as taking care of the land so that this book can assist Gu Nähtsey with passing on the knowledge to the next generations. This book will concentrate on the medicinal plants that are harvested on the traditional territory of Tr’ondek Hwech’in. The group has been actively planning and composing the interior structure of this book, the ideas and attention to detail is extraordinary thus far.
Prior to this fall workshop, the Gu Nähtsey started brainstorming about the future including all the opportunities they will have to pass on their knowledge.
