Traditional Healing & Anishnawbe Teachings

T.H.A.T. TEAM

Alfreda Trudeau – Team Coordinator

B: 705-859-2575

C: 705-210-0710

BEHAVIOURAL

· Eating more or less

· Sleeping too much or too little

· Isolating yourself from others

· Procrastination

· Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax

· Nervous habits

· Teeth grinding or jaw clenching

· Overdoing activities

· Overreacting to unexpected problems

· Picking fights with others

MENTAL

· Memory problems

· Indecisiveness

· Inability to concentrate

· Trouble thinking clearly

· Poor judgment

· Seeing only the negative

· Anxious or racing thoughts

· Constant worrying

· Loss of objectivity

· Fearful anticipation

*Stress Affects ALL Aspects of Life*

PHYSICAL

· Headaches or backaches

· Muscle tension and stiffness

· Diarrhea or constipation

· Nausea, dizziness

· Insomnia

· Chest pain, rapid heartbeat

· Weight gain or loss

· Skin breakouts (hives, eczema)

· Loss of sex drive

· Frequent colds

EMOTIONAL

· Moodiness

· Agitation

· Restlessness

· Short temper

· Irritability, impatience

· Inability to relax

· Feeling tense and “on edge”

· Feeling overwhelmed

· Sense of loneliness and isolation

· Depression or general unhappiness

*Stress Causes All of these Symptoms*

Stress is the behavioral, emotional, physical and mental strain caused by our response to pressure from the outside world. Common stress reactions include tension, inability to concentrate, irritability and a variety of other symptoms as identified in the circle chart.

Unfortunately, the majority of people just don’t pay attention to their inner barometer until it’s too late. Too many people seem to wait until they implode! The cost of stress is staggering! Consider this. If the cost of absenteeism, diminished productivity, employee turnover, direct medical, legal, insurance fees and workplace violence were to be added up for your organization and/or community for the last five years, you’d be annoyed intensely.

It's been suggested that almost impossible to live without some stress. And most of us wouldn't want to, because it gives life some spice and excitement. But if stress gets out of control, it’ll harm your health, your relationships and your enjoyment of life.

Facts About Stress

o According to the Academy of Family Physicians, two-thirds of office visits to family doctors are for stress-related symptoms.

o Almost everyone experiences events that they find difficult to cope with. In a recent poll, 89 percent of people said they had experienced serious stress in their lives.

o According to one study, middle-aged people under severe stress who lacked emotional support were five times more likely to die within seven years than those who had the same amount of stress but had close personal ties.

o A recent study indicated that wellness and stress-management programs may reduce the risk of heart problems, including heart attack, by up to 75 percent in people with heart disease.

o Stress-related mental disorders have been called the fastest-growing occupational (work-related) disease in the world.

Life Requires Ongoing Maintenance

How would like to Free Your Energy and Boost Your Feelings of Complete Wellness? Wellness is an individually designed state that is either healthy, unhealthy and anything else in between.

The Traditional Healing & Anishnawbe Teachings (T.H.A.T) Team will help you with your ongoing maintenance to achieve complete wellness! You will:

o Be unconditionally accepted

o Detoxify your body safely

o Have soft smooth feet

o Feel remarkable

“Bodywork is a term used in alternative medicine or complementary medicine to describe any therapeutic, healing or personal development work which involves some form of touching, energetic work or the physical manipulation of a practically oriented physical understanding of the body.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_work_%28alternative_medicine%29. May 2008

Body Work

“Body work is a technique that applies pressure, motion or vibration to the soft tissues of the body, including the muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligament, joints, lymphatic vessels, and organs. Benefits: A recent study found that body work could strengthen the immune system by increasing the levels of disease fighting cells. It also improves circulation, which is critical for people with diabetes. Body work also induces the relaxation response, which controls the counter-regulatory stress hormones, permitting the body to use insulin more effectively.

Meditation

Meditation focuses on breathing and can include repeating a word or phrase, otherwise known as a mantra. Benefits: An analysis of 20 studies found that meditation helps patients cope better with anxiety. Stress is known to make controlling illnesses more difficult. Relaxation has shown to be an especially beneficial practice in reducing stress thereby improving an individual’s feeling of health and well being.

Music

Music has become a popular form of complementary therapy. It is one of the therapies the Mayo Clinic suggests you use ‘on your own’. Music acts on the mind before being transformed into thought or feeling. Music therapy stimulates good vibrations in the nervous system and brings out the sense of mental well being. Benefits: Patients who receive music therapy experience less anxiety, a recent study found. Stress leads to many adverse physiological problems and can negatively affect the functions of one or more organs, either temporarily or permanently. The study found the classical or baroque music can help normalize blood sugar levels in a subtle manner.

Spirituality

Spirituality includes prayer, faith in a higher being, deep appreciation of nature or art, as well as participation in a non-secular community. Benefits: In 16 studies of religious observation, (praying, Religious services, ceremonies), researchers found that spirituality increases immune function and reduces anxiety and can decrease the length of a hospital stay. (Canadian Health & Lifestyle, Fall2007)

Fees

Suggested Fees for Treatment

Individual Practitioners fees may vary.

30 min treatment ......

45 min treatment ......

60 min treatment ......

90 min treatment ......

Full Treatment…………………..

Outcall treatment ...... as above + travel time (as above) plus mileage @ $0.40/km

Conferences

Full Day ………………………... $250.00 per Practitioner per day

½ day …………………………...$150.00 per Practitioner

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do I need to bring with me? Wear comfortable loose fitted clothing that you are not afraid to get oil on.

2. Why is this important for me? Self-care is most important. Foot soaks and stress relief management are an excellent way to detoxify your body and organs. Starting with a 2 hour foot soak over a three day period is essential on the road to healing. Soaking your feet for 3 consecutive days, and then soak every other day for 3 weeks. After the 3rd week, find a routine that works for you: once/week, twice/week, once/month, etc… After 1 ½ hours of soaking as directed, your body begins to release toxins through the pores of your feet.

3. What to expect? After a period of time, a stress relief practitioner will start on your face, your lower arms/hands and lower legs/feet. After the foot soak is complete, your own traditional stress relief services include the benefits of having a practitioner(s) release any blocked energy while you enjoy a relaxing body works session of your back and head.

4. What is the max time I should allow? First session is approximately 2 ½ hours, where you start by soaking your feet with warm water, sea salt, and essential oils to detoxify.

5. What to expect after the session? Depending on the amount of toxins built-up and as it is released; people often report one or the other after the first foot soak.

¨ Feel great, very relaxed & sleep better

¨ Feel sore, may have swelling & sleep poorly

Any unpleasant affects will disappear and with continuous foot soak treatment you will notice an improvement in your stress level and feelings of wellness. Each night you should sleep better and better.

6. I am Diabetic! Can I soak my feet? Diabetics, it is important to liberally massage essential oil into feet following foot soaks to prevent the development of any adverse skin conditions.

7. Must I undress for my body work (massage)? Body work (massage) clients are to wear loose comfortable clothing at all times.

8. Does the gender of the Stress Relief Management Therapist make a difference?

This is an issue of personal preference.

Comments from Clients

· I feel very relieved and stress-free. I have been suffering chronic back pain and anxiety for quite awhile and for the first time in a long time, I can honesty say I feel good inside and out. Thank You!!

· “Your services helped me to feel emotionally, spiritually, physically & mentally better. Felt great after a long day. I would highly recommend.

· My neck & shoulders have always been a problem for me. This is one way that this pain is released. Miigwetch

· Very refreshing, a feeling of well relaxed, to almost falling asleep.

· Very good, excellent, terrific, will come back.

· My breathing. I feel dizzy tough. Thank you.

· It relaxed me and relieved my stress.

· It has relieves the stress and to minimize tension for the time being – it’s like a holiday.

· Very relaxing

· It was very relaxing and relieves a lot of emotions.

· That it lifted me up. Should be more traditional stress relief services.

· I feel like I’m walking on air. I am so relaxed. My muscles don’t feel as tense. Many miigwetches.

· It released my headache, sore muscles, and was a very good feeling.

· Helped me to focus on my priorities. Thank you!

· Lifted me up. Chi-Miigwech!

· Made me relax. I now see how stress can harm our body, our mind, our spirit and the ability to be totally happy.

· Allowed myself to relief a stressful load by traditional methods & medicines. Something I have not experienced before. Miigwetch

Cleansing Your Pathways

Physical:

Draw out toxins & relax the body, body work assists the process.

Emotional: Clear any “knots” that are blocking the flow of energy.

Mental: Relax, rest your mind and learn to focus your thoughts.

Spiritual: Medicines assists you in getting your spirit centered.

About Us

There isn’t another program of this type offered anywhere else in Ontario. We are the 5th group to have been trained. You won’t find this type of program offered in formal education or training institutions in the world. Perhaps there are fragments of it, formally recognized as kinesiology, reflexology, Stress Relief Management Therapy, aroma therapy, guided imagery, and many other modern treatments. None of these modern “healing” processes incorporate the traditional or customary teachings of Indigenous philosophy and practices. This program does because the developer is a widely sought after resource for his wisdom and teachings in traditional customary ways.
The teacher is Bruce Elijah, an Oneida faith keeper of the Wolf Clan. He is a respected Elder who sits with the Elders Council of the Chiefs of Ontario and with the Assembly of First Nations. He is very knowledgeable about the Great Law of Peace, the constitution of the Haudenosaunee People. He conducts sunrise ceremonies as well as Sweat Lodge Ceremonies in treatment centres and other residential care facilities for Native people. Bruce comes from the Oneida of the Thames First Nation (Onyota'a: ka) and is an active participant, advocate, and teacher of the traditions, language and spirituality of the People of the Longhouse (Haudenosaunee). Bruce has much life experience to share. He has traveled throughout the world, addressed high-ranking political leaders including the United Nations at Geneva, and has intervened in many times of crisis for Aboriginal people including the people of Kahnesetake during the Oka crisis and the people of Kettle & Stony Point during the Ipperwash Crisis. Bruce was also the recipient of the prestigious Martin DelaCruz award (after Dr. Martin DelaCruz) which he received through the University of New Mexico in 1997. This award recognizes excellence in traditional and alternative healing and Bruce has worked with many health care facilities across South America, the U.S. and Canada.
The Traditional Health and Healing Project is a collaboration between Mamaweswen, North Shore Tribal Council and Atikimesheng (Whitefish Lake) First Nation, Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, Serpent River First Nation, Mississauga First Nation, Thessalon First Nation, Garden River First Nation and the Sault St. Marie Indian Friendship Centre.

The Traditional Healing and Anishnawbe Teachings (T.H.A.T.) Team is made up of twenty community members from the First Nations who were part of this 400 hour traditional stress management mentorship program.

Mission Statement

Promote the practice of T.H.A.T. Team Stress Relief Management

Vision Statement

To promote healing within communities, by the path, we walk based on our traditional values. To

Promote the Seven Grandfather Teachings; Bravery, Honesty, Truth, Humility, Love, Respect, and Wisdom

Back Row: Iris McKay, Giovanni I, Nora Abitong, Linda Toulouse, Leona Sinobert, Peter Makadebin, Vi McLean, Lindsay Keesis, Candace Zack-Coneybeare, Lisa Mitchell, Blain Commanda, Donni Bobiwash, Cheryl Hankard, & Alfreda Trudeau

Front Row: Marlene Pine, Bruce Elijah, Cree Trudeau, Isabelle Meawasige, Orval Commanda, and Carolyn Nootchtai

Missing: Joyce Dillen, Genny Boyer and Sandi Rendell

List of Clients

During training a total of 1,037 participants were treated from the North Shore; Atikimesheng (Whitefish Lake) First Nation, Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, Serpent River First Nation, Mississauga First Nation, Thessalon First Nation, Garden River First Nation, Batchewana First Nation and the Sault St. Marie Indian Friendship Centre.

* * * * * * *

Algoma University

o Native Students - 1 Day during the last week of school prior to exams.

Batchewana First Nation: