On June 21, 2017, the summer solstice and National Aboriginal Day, Turtle Lodge Elders and representatives from the Original Nations lit a sacred fire at Manitou Api. The flame was brought to

On June 21, 2017, the summer solstice and National Aboriginal Day, Turtle Lodge Elders and representatives from the Original Nations lit a sacred fire at Manitou Api. The flame was brought to Winnipeg, where Elder Dave Courchene lit the Centennial Flame at the Manitoba Legislative Building. It will burn for one year, inspiring the province and nation.

This sacred flame launched the 2017 Canada Games torch run in Manitoba and later lit the Games' cauldron.

A video for the Canada Games was created by Patrick Roberge, PRP Inc. Acknowledgements go to the Elders for their vision and to Barry Mathers for his hard work with the Canada Games and Turtle Lodge.

Professor Cornel Pewewardy, a traditional Comanche-Kiowa elder, directs Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University. He addresses the detrimental impact of conventional education on

Professor Cornel Pewewardy, a traditional Comanche-Kiowa elder, directs Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University. He addresses the detrimental impact of conventional education on indigenous culture and language.

Pewewardy advocates for "re-traditionalization," a tribal approach to education designed to counteract these negative effects. He presented these ideas on February 11, 2011, in Portland, Oregon.

The film "Our Tomorrows, Today: Wahbung 1971" premiered in 2017. It explores the historic 1971 Wahbung document, a pivotal First Nations response to the 1969 White Paper. Wahbung asserted the

The film "Our Tomorrows, Today: Wahbung 1971" premiered in 2017. It explores the historic 1971 Wahbung document, a pivotal First Nations response to the 1969 White Paper. Wahbung asserted the right to self-determination, emerging from Manitoba's First Nations' rejection of the controversial policy. The documentary highlights this influential paper's role as a catalyst for self-determination. Its premiere was attended by original contributors, including the Women of Wahbung and Dave Courchene Jr.

For more information, to purchase the film and accompanying book/guide, or to view the trailer, visit: ourtomorrowsfilm.com, mfnerc.org/product/our-tomorrows-today-wahbung-1971/, and youtube.com/watch?v=TKhrsMqMWTk.

Elder Dr. Dave Courchene presented "Returning to the Beginning" on July 23, 2021, sharing insights on finding truth and a way forward amidst current global crises.

This presentation was

Elder Dr. Dave Courchene presented "Returning to the Beginning" on July 23, 2021, sharing insights on finding truth and a way forward amidst current global crises.

This presentation was part of the free Shamanic Wisdom Summit and is copyrighted by The Shift Network. View the full transcript here.

The Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education & Wellness fosters reconnection to Earth and shares ancestral knowledge. Learn more at turtlelodge.org or follow them on social media: Facebook (@turtlelodge), Twitter (@turtlelodge), and Instagram (@theturtlelodge).

EARTH DAY 2020 - A Message from Elder Nii Gaani Aki (Leading Earth Man) - Dr. David Courchene of Turtle Lodge, Canada

Mother Earth is giving birth to a new

EARTH DAY 2020 - A Message from Elder Nii Gaani Aki (Leading Earth Man) - Dr. David Courchene of Turtle Lodge, Canada

Mother Earth is giving birth to a new life. 

On April 14, 2021, Elder Dr. Dave Courchene conducted a Traditional Naming Ceremony for the former Kapyong Barracks at Turtle Lodge, requested by the Treaty 1 Governing Council. The Anishinaabe

On April 14, 2021, Elder Dr. Dave Courchene conducted a Traditional Naming Ceremony for the former Kapyong Barracks at Turtle Lodge, requested by the Treaty 1 Governing Council. The Anishinaabe name unveiled was Naawi-Oodena, meaning “The Centre of the Heart and Community.”

The Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness fosters reconnection to Earth and shares ancestral knowledge, founded on the 7 Sacred Laws.

Learn more at www.turtlelodge.org or follow us on Facebook (@turtlelodge), Twitter (@turtlelodge), and Instagram (@theturtlelodge).

Reconciling Ways of Knowing “Drawing on Indigenous Knowledge in Responding to

Reconciling Ways of Knowing “Drawing on Indigenous Knowledge in Responding to COVID-19.”

This dialogue originally aired on November 12, 2020 at 10:30 am Pacific / 12:30 pm Central / 2:30 pm Atlantic.

Moderator: Darrin Mah, JD facilitates a dialogue amongst Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Jr, Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud, Miles Richardson, OC, Tom Swanky, JD, and Dr. Sabina Ijaz; on the history of what Indigenous Peoples have learned in responding to pandemics, how this informed their responses to COVID-19, and what could be learned more broadly within Canadian society and the global community from these lessons.

The Turtle Lodge Presents a Special Winter Solstice Presentation: “Lighting the Sacred Fire.”

Highlighting Turtle Lodge Knowledge Keepers Elder Dr. Dave Courchene,

The Turtle Lodge Presents a Special Winter Solstice Presentation: “Lighting the Sacred Fire.”

Highlighting Turtle Lodge Knowledge Keepers Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Grandmother Jane Meader, Hereditary Chief Stephen Augustine, and Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud.  

Featuring Entertainers Buffy Sainte-Marie & Serena Ryder, and Music by Melissa Etheridge & Archie Roach!

We hope you enjoy it.