Indigenous End of Life & Grief Care

ITM has partnered with Strong Earth and Harry Snowboy to develop an end of life and grief care training program that allows Indigenous Peoples to reclaim the knowledge and skills to care for their dying and grieving. In addition to the Contemplative End of Life Care content, Indigenous students will be guided in culturally appropriate content and experiences, including teachings and practices relating to ceremony, traditions, trauma-informed support, and advocacy. The program is open to Indigenous Peoples, especially those currently supporting family or community members at the end of life.

Our Vision is to bring the care of our dying, departed and grieving back into the hands of our Indigenous families and communities.

CERTIFICATE

Purpose

The Indigenous EOLC Program was developed to improve end of life care for Indigenous peoples and communities. We are deeply committed to our role as leaders in a revolutionary development of human awareness that is transforming how we live, die, relate to others.

CERTIFICATE

Schedule

Over a 5 month period, you will be guided by Harry Snowboy, additional Elders, Teachers who are leading Indigenous cultural practitioners. Modules consist of virtual live sessions, experiential components, readings, personal reflections, teachings on traditional ceremonies.

CERTIFICATE

Approach

You will be introduced to a multiplicity of tools and practices that will allow you to serve your Indigenous community members with sensitivity and skill, while cultivating the capacity to apply cultural and spiritual teachings within a trauma informed framework.

Download Program Catalogue

STRONG EARTH

Strong Earth is an Indigenous agency of qualified Indigenous cultural practitioners offering consulting services and training to support Indigenous communities and organizations. We apply traditional Indigenous cultural and spiritual practices, holistic health, trauma management, and traditional teachings, including end of life care and grief support. We foster a structured, nurturing, and supportive environment that is trauma-informed and promotes Indigenous healing and well-being. Strong Earth encourages respectful inclusion and diversity, inclusive of all genders, sexual identities, races, and spiritual and cultural beliefs.

IEOLC HIGHLIGHTS

Affordable

- Flexible Payment Plans
- Early Registration Discount
- Learn more for less

Virtual Program

- Virtual Classroom via Zoom
- Part-time Weekend Schedule
- Study from anywhere

Faculty Experience

- Learn with Indigenous Teachers
- Practical & Experiential in-class exercises
- Connections & Resources in IEOLC

*NEXT COHORT SCHEDULE & DATES

Please open & review the APPLICATION below for current dates

Application/Registration Form

Know the ways of the ones who take care of you, so that you may take care of them.

Robin Wall Kimmerer

MEET STRONG EARTH

We are honoured to have the guidance and leadership of Elder Harry Snowboy and guest faculty from diverse cultural, spiritual and professional backgrounds.

Harry Snowboy

Elder, Teacher

Harry Snowboy was born in the Cree village of Fort George.

Harry is a recognized traditional Healer and teacher to numerous Indigenous communities and organizations, as well as an author, public speaker, and cultural advisor.

Harry, founder of Strong Earth, is an Elder and Ceremonial Traditional Knowledge Keeper in all Rites of Passage, the Life Cycle of Cree ceremonies.

His sacred teachings begin with “Birth” and progress through to, and include, "End of Life", "Burial", and spiritual transition ceremonies to support both the grieving and the "Journey of the Soul".

Harry has extensive experience in crisis and trauma management and incorporates holistic problem-solving approaches to critical issues facing Indigenous communities.

Such work and breadth of experience “bridge the gap” between sacred, Traditional, and non-Indigenous lived experiences with deep understanding, compassion, and professionalism.

Harry is the Sundance Chief of the annual "Rattlechild Sundance Ceremony", which he leads with his wife, Juliana Matoush-Snowboy," in Henvey Inlet First Nation, Ontario.

Harry lives in Northern Quebec and travels extensively to work with Indigenous communities.

Juliana Snowboy

Traditional Cultural Advisor

Meet Juliana

Juliana Matoush-Snowboy (James Bay Cree), is trained in suicide intervention (ASSIST, 2002), spent six years as the Social and Health Planning and Programming Officer for CBHSSJB in Chisasibi, Quebec, and worked as an interviewer for Health Canada in Eeyou Astchee. She works closely with her husband, Harry Snowboy, in running various traditional and healing gatherings both in Cree and urban communities, as well as offering drug and alcohol awareness seminars. She also facilitates training and coaching for women’s sweat lodge ceremonials.

Her reclamation of traditional Indigenous beliefs and practices has led to increasingly working with many Indigenous communities and organizations for the past 10 years.

Erika Iserhoff

Traditional Cultural Advisor

Meet Erika

Erika Iserhoff (Mushkego/Eeyou) is a member of Constance Lake First Nation, with family ties to Fort George, Quebec.

Erika has been an activist, change maker, and teacher within Indigenous arts and cultural movements for over 20 years. She is also an award-winning artist, designer, and producer.

Her reclamation of traditional Indigenous beliefs and practices has led to increasingly working with many Indigenous communities and organizations for the past 10 years.

In this work, Erika promotes emotional and spiritual healing to cultivate self-awareness and wellness through Indigenous traditions and practices.

Erika is an active member of the Rattlechild Sundance Ceremony, Indigenous cultural and project consultant and associate of Strong Earth.

Laini Lascelles

Elder, Spiritual/Cultural Advisor

Meet Laini

Laini Lascelles is a grandmother whose ancestors are of Lenape, Anishnawbe and Mohawk descent. Laini is a healer, social worker and teacher who has been working with Indigenous peoples for over 25 years in the addiction and mental health fields. She attributes her knowledge from ceremonial teachers Harry and Juliana Snowboy and from her personal life experience. Laini has worked at a youth treatment centre, child and family wellbeing services and in the prison system conducting spiritual ceremonies, rites of passage and individual healing sessions. Laini has taught Indigenous social work practice as a teacher and continues to mentor helpers in the Sundance ceremony way of life. Laini’s belief system is based on the cultural ceremonies and teachings she’s been shown by medicine people who have taught her kindness, respect, humility and the gifts of the next generations.

Bryan Deer

Elder, Cultural/Spiritual Advisor

Meet Bryan

Bryan Akwirente (A tree that provides shelter) Deer is of the Rotiskaréwa:ke (Bear Clan) of the Mohawk Nation of Kahnawake, part of the Iroquois Confederacy. Throughout his life, Bryan has been on the path of learning about being a Kanien'kéha man and understanding the roles and responsibilities these duties entail. As Bryan walked his journey, there came a time when his focus shifted, and his calling to carry and learn about the Medicines and grow his gifts to help the people became more prominent in his life.

Today, Bryan carries many healing gifts guided by Spirit; these include doctoring people with injuries and helping their physical bodies heal, aligning and balancing energies, and healing trauma. He can conduct sweat lodge ceremonies, call a person's Spirit back, provide traditional counselling and readings, and works with traditional plant medicines. Bryan regularly travels to many Indigenous communities across Turtle Island; this includes working with incarcerated individuals, where he shares his gift with individuals who have embarked on their healing path.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does the program run?

Do I have to attend the virtual weekend classes?

How many live virtual sessions are there?

Are there homework assignments?

Yes, each module requires you to complete various homework assignments and reflections. The assignments are necessary learning opportunities for you to gain experience with the content and material, and to demonstrate your comprehension while developing skills within each area of end of life care. Assignments are not handed in - they are discussed in the weekend sessions in pairs, groups/class.

What are the current dates for the next training?

Are Death Doula's/End of Life Care Facilitators Regulated?

How early should I apply?

The Indigenous EOLC, a new program launching in 2025, is already generating significant interest. With our annual CEOLC program consistently full each year and a waiting list from the previous year, we urge you to apply for the Indigenous EOLC as soon as it opens. As we have limited spots for the training, we recommend applying early. See the application for the early registration discount dates.

How long will I have access to the program materials?

Will I have access to the main CEOLC program information including manuals and video recordings?

Do I have to attend the CEOLC live sessions as well?

FOR CURRENT SCHEDULE & DATES - click on APPLICATION below

Application/Registration Form

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Stay updated on all the upcoming events, gatherings and teachings.

It is this spirit that defines our identity and who we are as human beings, and it also carries the memory of our own beginning in our own creation.

Elder Dr. Dave Courchene – Nii Gaani Aki Innini (Leading Earth Man)

Indigenous End of Life Workshop for Non-Indigenous Peoples

A workshop led by Elder and Traditional teacher Harry Snowboy, which offers a unique opportunity for non-Indigenous community members to learn about Indigenous concepts, teachings, and traditions necessary for supporting Indigenous community members at the end of life. This training is specifically for non-Indigenous community members who will be supporting the dying and the grieving within Indigenous communities and Indigenous organizations and who wish to provide a more culturally sensitive, trauma-informed approach to their practices and services.

Who Should Join

- Hospice & Longterm Care Workers
- Medical Professionals
- Integrative Health Professionals
- Health Policy Makers
- Community Organizations
- Volunteers, Family & Friends

Curriculum

- Diversity within Indigenous End of Life Care
- Ceremonial Rites of Passage
- Indigenous Cultural Safety & Humility
- Indigenous Trauma Informed Care
- Creating Safe Spaces
- Culture as Medicine
- Indigenous Healing Practices at EOL
- Best practices for Grief Support
- The role of Family, Elders, Community at EOL
- Indigenous Spiritual beliefs
- Relationship, Allyship & Justice Approaches

Format

- One Day in-person/virtual training
- Knowledge Sharing/Teachings
- Experiential exercises
- Case Studies/Discussion
- CEUS Granted

For Upcoming Workshop Details Send Us A Message

Indigenous End of Life & Grief Care

Our Vision is to bring the care of our dying, departed and grieving back into the hands of our Indigenous families and communities.

CERTIFICATE

Purpose

CERTIFICATE

Schedule

CERTIFICATE

Approach

STRONG EARTH

IEOLC HIGHLIGHTS

Affordable

Virtual Program

Faculty Experience

*NEXT COHORT SCHEDULE & DATES

Know the ways of the ones who take care of you, so that you may take care of them.

Robin Wall Kimmerer

MEET STRONG EARTH

We are honoured to have the guidance and leadership of Elder Harry Snowboy and guest faculty from diverse cultural, spiritual and professional backgrounds.

Harry Snowboy

Juliana Snowboy

Erika Iserhoff

Laini Lascelles

Bryan Deer

Frequently Asked Questions

FOR CURRENT SCHEDULE & DATES - click on APPLICATION below

It is this spirit that defines our identity and who we are as human beings, and it also carries the memory of our own beginning in our own creation.

Elder Dr. Dave Courchene – Nii Gaani Aki Innini (Leading Earth Man)

Indigenous End of Life Workshop for Non-Indigenous Peoples

Who Should Join

Curriculum

Format

Begin your journey today