Kodiak Herbal Metis Culture

Gathering Medicine - Lii Bonn Michinn (Metis Traditions)
2022-09-17 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Edmonton) | Bragg Creek, Location TBA, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Learn about the blended healing traditions of Metis people & our plant medicine traditions, Right Relationships & Living in a Good Way.
The time of harvest is beginning, so let’s harvest in a good way – the way our grandmas knew! We will gather in the foothills near Bragg Creek to:

identify plant species used for food and medicine
learn to safely and responsibly harvest
discuss the ceremony of giving tobacco & alternatives
make medicine based on the plants available

Everyone is welcome to join us for the experience & learning of a traditional harvest. Please wear suitable clothing with layers and good hiking shoes/boots, and bring a small pack to carry bug spray, sun screen/hat, water bottle, portable tea mug and anything else you need to be safe. A ‘sit upon’ or small blanket, and cloth gathering bag are useful items to bring to this event.
Location will be provided the week before the harvest, participants must have their own transportation to/from the site. Ticket price is per adult/youth (13 years and older); children (under 12) are welcome to join with their adult(s). No pets at this event, please.

Metis Wolf Willow: Rosaries & Medicine
2022-09-23 18:00 - 21:00 | Kodiak Herbal Apothecary, 2410 2 Avenue SE, Bay G, Calgary, AB, T2E 6J9, Canada
Prepare wild-harvested wolf willow berries to make jewelry, medicine and Metis silverberry fudge. Learn about the many food and medicine benefits of this beautiful prairie plant.
Silverberries or wolf willow berries are traditionally gathered to make beautiful natural rosaries by the Metis and other Plains people. The seeds of these mealy, sparkly berries decorate clothing, and provide beautiful natural jewelry and regalia. We even make a traditional dessert from the silverberry bush – a delicious & unique confection known as ‘Metis ice cream’. Learning to prepare wolf willow berries for use in recipes, as a medicine and create your own piece of jewelry (necklace or rosary) to wear with pride. Supplies are included.
This workshop is for adults/youth 12 years and older; minors must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring a tea mug with you for sampling; apron is optional. Location: Kodiak Herbal Apothecary, 2410 2 Ave SE Calgary.

Herbal Medicine Making Certificate (12-hours)
2022-10-17 18:00 - 2022-10-27 21:00 | Kodiak Herbal Apothecary, 2410 2 Avenue SE, Bay G, Calgary, AB, T2E 6J9, Canada
The 12-hour plant medicine making certificate program designed for students & plant medicine enthusiasts who want to take their understanding of herbs to the next level.
Creating your own herbal formulas is an accessible, affordable and empowering way to connect with plants from your local environment! This program focuses on making safe & effective herbal remedies, by employing knowledge of plant chemistry, formulation techniques, and critical thinking. Course outcomes include a deeper understanding of how plant medicines work together in formula, as well as ethical, legal & safety guidelines to making remedies that every herbalist should know.
Guided by a Registered Clinical Herbalist instructor, students learn a variety of extraction methods for plant-based medicines and design sample products for personal testing. Detailed course itinerary and learning materials will be emailed to registered attendees 1 week before the program start date.
Workshop For: This workshop is designed for students of a herbal medicine program – however anyone interested in safe, effective herbal formulating is welcome to attend. Please bring your favorite herbal reference books with you to class, for research purposes.
Practicum/CE Hours: This program provides four (4) Practicum (non-clinical) hours for students of herbal medicine. The entire 12 hour program is applicable for Alberta Herbalists Association education requirements and continuing education credits. Participants who complete the program & assignment will receive a certificate from Kodiak Herbal.
Program Outline:
Monday, Oct. 17th, 6:00-9:00pm: Chemistry & Ethics Intensive

Intro to Chemistry of plant medicine
Extraction methods for plant medicine
Ethics for Herbalists & Formulators

Wednesday, Oct. 19th, 6:00-9:00pm: Formulating Intensive

Safety Considerations for internal remedies – dosing, contraindications & potential interactions
Making Effective Formulas from Plant Extracts
Formulating Assignment

Monday, Oct. 24th, 6:00-9:00pm: Apothecary Day #1

Lab Day – Topical Remedy Making: salves, ointments & oils, liniments, soaks, compresses, plasters
Legal requirements for bottling, labeling & dispensing herbal extracts and formulas, Part 1

Thursday, Oct. 27th, 6:00-9:00pm: Apothecary Day #2

Lab Day – Internal Remedy Making: decoctions & teas, tinctures, glycerites, syrups, oxymels, oil-based extracts
Legal requirements for bottling, labeling & dispensing herbal extracts and formulas, Part 2

What to Bring: Notebook and pen, favorite herbal reference books, a phone or tablet (for online research purposes), tea mug.
More Info: Participants 16 or older can attend this program; youth must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please see our complete workshop policies here. Due to the high cost of formulating ingredients, this workshop has a minimum number of participants to run. Registered attendees will be updated via email before October 10th, 2022.

Metis Sash Loom Weaving (Live workshop, 2 days)
2022-11-05 10:00 - 2022-11-06 15:00 | Kodiak Herbal Apothecary, 2410 2 Avenue SE, Bay G, Calgary, AB, T2E 6J9, Canada
Create your own custom sayncheur flayshii (Metis sash) on an artisan hand loom while learning traditions and history of the Metis sash. This cultural workshop takes place in a small group, with plenty of time for tea & socializing while we learn.
You don’t need weaving experience – Beginners are encouraged to come learn the basics of loom weaving from a Metis perspective. Loom and tools are easy to use and can be applied – along with your new skills – to a variety of woven projects.
Date/Time: Saturday/Sunday, November 5 & 6, 2022. 10:00am – 3:00pm each day
Location: Kodiak Herbal, 2410 2 Ave SE, Calgary
What’s Included:

Hand-made cedar & pine loom, rigid heddle, shuttle, backboard, yarn, pattern and threading tool
Instruction to assemble loom, the basics of good weaving, troubleshooting, properly finishing a woven project
Hands-on guidance to complete your first project – a full-size, custom Metis sash in the chevron or arrow pattern
History and traditions of the ‘sayncheur flayshii’ (Michif for ‘arrow belt’)
Contemporary use, symbolism & culture of the Metis sash – overview of the many options for creating your own designs
Access to printable pattern files that can be edited to create endless new designs
Easy to use patterns and tools that can be reused for further projects such as belts, regalia bands, panels, dish clothes, small towels, cloth bags – and of course, more sashes

Become a member of the “I Made My Own Sash Club” on Facebook after the workshop, to share images of your work, connect with other sash weavers and ask questions/get help with future projects. New patterns and ideas are occasionally added to the group, as well as offers for future weaving workshops and learning opportunities.
Workshop Cost:
$260.00+gst for all materials & teachings
While this workshop is live in Calgary, you can also take part in the online video workshop via kodiakherbal.thinkific.com . Please note: prices are listed in USD on kodiakherbal.thinkific.com .
Want a Workshop in Your Community? We love to travel for workshops! Minimum group size is 10 participants, please email Kalyn@KodiakHerbal.com for a quote for a workshop in your community.
