Elder Lloyd Johnson

January 1, 1923-June 10th, 1994

The Late Lloyd Johnson had a vision of healing the community members of Sturgeon Lake First Nation. He worked actively with Chief, Council, staff and community members to bring that vision to a reality-a reality he did not see in his lifetime. This healing lodge is dedicated to Lloyd Johnson and the other elders who, above all else, had a sincere desire for a healthy Sturgeon Lake community so that all may benefit. May 1996.

Vision Statement:

"Building a healthy community through our customs, values and traditions under the guidance of our Elders."

The Healing Lodge

The healing lodge began as a center for diabetes when it was first constructed and has been home to many programs over the years. It is currently a hub for First Nations holistic way of living.

The Medicine Program

We provide traditional healing for medical problems as well as preventative programs based in traditional health knowledge. The skills and knowledge include plant identification, the use of plants as medicine, practicing protocols, supporting ceremonies, land-based knowledge and understanding peoples' identity, youth development, and the sense of community ownership of health, traditions and knowledge.

Programs:

Traditional Health Clinics

Medicine Camp

Youth/Community Teachings

Sweat Lodges

Pharmacopeia

Medicine Dispensing

Healers/ Medicine people

Harvesting, Cleaning, Storage

Medicine:

Diabetes

Arthritis

Heart Medicine

Smudge

Liver Cleansing

Libido Formula

and much more...

The medicines require protocol to obtain, we do not accept money. Each person must have a personal consultation with our specialists before having access to any of our products or services.

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History and Heritage

Sturgeon Lake First Nation has a budding history and heritage program that is looking at how we approach history as a First Nation.

For the longest time we have experienced the idea that this land was bare and no one had any history here. Our language, culture and Oral histories would say that idea only served in the colonization of our lands and the assimilation of our people. Our Story did not begin with the arrival of European settlers but started in the cosmos itself.

Elders from across Turtle Island-Canada come to the LJMC to share their knowledge and stories about the past of our lands and the lives of our people.

For the past three years Willie Ermine and I (Lily Naytowhow) have been working on the Cree narrative of our past and creating a historical overview of our area with the help of archaeologists, Cree knowledge keepers and the university of Saskatchewan. Everything is connected and through the process of research and community participation, and events, we have found that there is not only a history here but a rich source of beautiful knowledge.

This knowledge is for the survival of our community and to nurture the next generations of SLFN people.

We advocate for the ongoing funding of this program because healthy children are a part of a healthy community. We work collaboratively with the Saskatchewan Minister of Health, National Aboriginal Council of Midwives, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatchewan College of Midwives, Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations, Saskatchewan Indigenous Services Canada and other healthcare delivery agencies to:

1. Increase the access to midwives within the health care system

2. Funding our Midwives

3. Licensing

4. Saskatchewan Training of midwives and Doula

5. Protection of Traditional Knowledge

Culture Camps

Each year SLFN holds four Seasonal Camps that encompass the culture and heritage of our nation. The LJMC invites community members and special guests to come and learn traditional knowledge and cultural activities in our Nation!

Last year we taught many community members and health staff how to put up mihkawaps (teepees). We will often integrate other programs and departments within the community to make our cultural camps happen. The spring cultural camp was held with the school last year and we had many activities for all the children to take part in. Here we see one of our kids learning how to hoop dance.