I have been blessed to work with and receive guidance and teachings from some amazing traditional Elders and spiritual practitioners.

They share this knowledge freely but I have always given as much as I can to help them and to acknowledge the gift of wisdom and knowledge that they share. I also know they are living on very, very limited pensions and so, it’s usually money that I give.

 

We live in a society that doesn’t value our true Traditional Healers or acknowledge the value of their knowledge or work. Some people/organizations/businesses have absolutely no problem paying big sums for people/businesses to come into our communities and for their employees to be able to have the opportunity of attending or learning. The hours are usually limited to 9-5, they don’t usually leave tools or emergency contact information should someone be in an emergency situation and they have made it a business by expecting to be called back into the community over and over.

 

Even the organizations who have a mandate to help support our communities and our wellness are not giving first priority to our Traditional Healers and Elder Healers.

 

I have repeatedly said this. I have repeatedly stated that the Elder Traditional Healers be compensated as much, if not MORE, than a business/organization or someone not from our peoples.

 

Once again…. I am stressing the absolute necessity and importance of learning from, utilizing and paying the Elder Knowledge Keepers. They have LIFE knowledge, experience, knowledge that has been passed down. They are ELDERS and we are losing them and with that, we are losing the knowledge, the ceremonies and the traditions.

 

They did not take courses to know what they know. They do not ask for compensation. Every Elder I have dealt with has, in some form or another, said….give what you can afford and/or give whatever it’s worth to you.

 

Their knowledge is invaluable! And yet, over and over they and the rest of the true Traditional Healers are only called on in an emergency situation, when it’s about stats or funding requirements.

 

I know this will ruffle some feathers but it’s also not an attack. It’s the truth and it needs to be repeated until our Elders, Traditional Knowledge Keepers, and Ceremonial people are fully utilized before anyone else.