Page 12 - September 23, 2019
P. 12
PAGE 12 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
Plant medicine course hosted at Surprise Lake Camp
Nine individuals gathered at Surprise Lake Camp for a weekend plant medicine course taught by Knowledge Keeper of Traditional Medicine Brenda Holder
(fourth from the left). Participants created a variety of skin products, cold and flu remedies, soothing salves, and learned about the different medicinal
properties of plants. photo Cassie Kushniruk
by Cassie Kushniruk: from Holder's highly sought after plant learned was when to forage plants," said
medicine course. Blackett. "For example, there's a plant which, if
Local residents had the opportunity to learn The first day of the course focused on making you forage before frost, is fine, but once it
the art of wild crafting and medicinal plant use oil infusions out of plants, a variety of salves frosts in the fall, it actually becomes
during an herbal/plant medicine course at for different medicinal purposes, a fire cider for poisonous."
Surprise Lake Camp on September 14-15. the flu, and a liniment for sore joints and stiff Holder said, "I think the most important thing
The course, led by Knowledge Keeper of muscles. "In between while we were waiting for me is they understand the foundations of
Traditional Medicine Brenda Holder, focused for things to cook, there were a lot of teachings how to make the basics of medicine and then
not only on how to identify different plants, but about the medicine and what each specific they continue their learning journey of the
the various ways to extract and utilize the plant does," said Holder. "We talked about the plants themselves. My biggest hope for them is
medicinal properties of plants. "We've been chemical constituents, and of course stories not that they will be recipe followers, but that
teaching all the foundational skills that they from my memory of my grandmother and what they'll be formulators."
need to start making medicine at home," said she would use plants for." Although 15 people had signed up for the
Holder. On the second day, the group began by plant medicine course, only nine were in
Growing up in Jasper National Park, Holder learning the different ways of extracting attendance throughout the weekend due to
spent a significant amount of time with her medicinal properties from plants. "We're sickness and scheduling conflicts with the
grandmother learning about different plants and starting this morning by using just water; we Terry Fox Run. However, Holder was
traditional plant medicine. As she grew older, use cold water to extract certain parts of the impressed by the knowledge and
Holder went into molecular sciences and plants and later we're going to see different inquisitiveness of the group.
medical herbalism and combined her three-way parts of the plants that we have to use hot water Blackett is hoping to host a similar course
expertise into Mahikan Trails-an Indigenous- with," said Holder. next year with more forest walks and plant
based company offering medicinal plant Later, the group created a calendula Vaseline, identification elements. While Blackett is
workshops and other aboriginal courses. and elderberry cold syrup, bath salts, a mixture hoping to bring Holder back out to Edson for
Edson locals Sam and Travis Blackett have of teas, and learned what different types of the course, she is also planning to invite
attended the Frostbite Winter Symposium in waxes do for each product. Holder Holder's husband, Dave, who is part of the
Bowden for three years, where Holder teaches added, "We're going to be making something Alone series on The History Channel. "He is
these medicinal plant workshops. After called a nervine glyceride; that's something that really knowledgeable, so our thoughts are to
noticing that Holder's classes were very helps people calm down and relax and sleep at actually combine a two day event where we
difficult to get into, the couple decided to host night." would be using Brenda on the plant side and
Holder in Edson to provide the community According to Sam Blackett, close to two have a survival challenge with Dave for a day
with an opportunity to learn from her expertise. thirds of the workshop involved learning about or two where we're getting more guys out with
On September 14 and 15, nine interested each ingredient that goes into the product, what their sons working with bush knives or bush
individuals visited Surprise Lake Camp to learn it does, how it is dried, etc. "Another thing we skills," Blackett said.
Tours to explore Edson trails on bikes or walking
by Brianne Benson residents to become acquainted with the trails groups will meet on Tuesday, October 1 at 6:00
and in turn improve physical health by being pm and Wednesday, October 2 at 12:00 pm
The Town of Edson is providing the public an active in an outdoor environment. outside Repsol Place to walk the East Side
opportunity to explore Edson's charming trail The trails are also a perfect fit for families as Trails. To walk the West Side Trails the group
system. Community Development Coordinator they are suitable for all ages. Community will meet Tuesday, October 8 at 12:00 pm and
Krysta Hawboldt will be taking groups bike members of any age are welcome to attend so Wednesday, October 9 at 5:00 pm in the Boys
riding throughout the town trails. long as they are able to ride a bike comfortably. & Girls Club parking lot.
The bike rides are for everyone in the The groups will meet outside Repsol Place on In addition, Hawboldt also leads weekly
community, but they also aim to give people Tuesday, September 24 at 6:30pm and walks on Tuesdays at 9:30 am and Wednesdays
who may be apprehensive to use the trails a Wednesday, September 25 at 12:00 pm. Both at 2:30pm, meeting at Repsol Place.
chance to become more familiar. Hawboldt the duration of the ride and the route will be The rides and walks are free and although
said, "Part of my job is to promote active living determined on the day based on the riding drop-ins are welcome, pre-registration is
in our community and we have such a beautiful ability of the groups. The bike rides generally recommended. To register call or text
trail system that I want our residents to be take 45 minutes. Hawboldt at (780) 725-3083. The groups will
comfortable being active on the trails". If biking is not your thing then Hawboldt also bike/walk rain or shine.
The bike rides are an excellent way for offers walking tours through the trails. These
Plant medicine course hosted at Surprise Lake Camp
Nine individuals gathered at Surprise Lake Camp for a weekend plant medicine course taught by Knowledge Keeper of Traditional Medicine Brenda Holder
(fourth from the left). Participants created a variety of skin products, cold and flu remedies, soothing salves, and learned about the different medicinal
properties of plants. photo Cassie Kushniruk
by Cassie Kushniruk: from Holder's highly sought after plant learned was when to forage plants," said
medicine course. Blackett. "For example, there's a plant which, if
Local residents had the opportunity to learn The first day of the course focused on making you forage before frost, is fine, but once it
the art of wild crafting and medicinal plant use oil infusions out of plants, a variety of salves frosts in the fall, it actually becomes
during an herbal/plant medicine course at for different medicinal purposes, a fire cider for poisonous."
Surprise Lake Camp on September 14-15. the flu, and a liniment for sore joints and stiff Holder said, "I think the most important thing
The course, led by Knowledge Keeper of muscles. "In between while we were waiting for me is they understand the foundations of
Traditional Medicine Brenda Holder, focused for things to cook, there were a lot of teachings how to make the basics of medicine and then
not only on how to identify different plants, but about the medicine and what each specific they continue their learning journey of the
the various ways to extract and utilize the plant does," said Holder. "We talked about the plants themselves. My biggest hope for them is
medicinal properties of plants. "We've been chemical constituents, and of course stories not that they will be recipe followers, but that
teaching all the foundational skills that they from my memory of my grandmother and what they'll be formulators."
need to start making medicine at home," said she would use plants for." Although 15 people had signed up for the
Holder. On the second day, the group began by plant medicine course, only nine were in
Growing up in Jasper National Park, Holder learning the different ways of extracting attendance throughout the weekend due to
spent a significant amount of time with her medicinal properties from plants. "We're sickness and scheduling conflicts with the
grandmother learning about different plants and starting this morning by using just water; we Terry Fox Run. However, Holder was
traditional plant medicine. As she grew older, use cold water to extract certain parts of the impressed by the knowledge and
Holder went into molecular sciences and plants and later we're going to see different inquisitiveness of the group.
medical herbalism and combined her three-way parts of the plants that we have to use hot water Blackett is hoping to host a similar course
expertise into Mahikan Trails-an Indigenous- with," said Holder. next year with more forest walks and plant
based company offering medicinal plant Later, the group created a calendula Vaseline, identification elements. While Blackett is
workshops and other aboriginal courses. and elderberry cold syrup, bath salts, a mixture hoping to bring Holder back out to Edson for
Edson locals Sam and Travis Blackett have of teas, and learned what different types of the course, she is also planning to invite
attended the Frostbite Winter Symposium in waxes do for each product. Holder Holder's husband, Dave, who is part of the
Bowden for three years, where Holder teaches added, "We're going to be making something Alone series on The History Channel. "He is
these medicinal plant workshops. After called a nervine glyceride; that's something that really knowledgeable, so our thoughts are to
noticing that Holder's classes were very helps people calm down and relax and sleep at actually combine a two day event where we
difficult to get into, the couple decided to host night." would be using Brenda on the plant side and
Holder in Edson to provide the community According to Sam Blackett, close to two have a survival challenge with Dave for a day
with an opportunity to learn from her expertise. thirds of the workshop involved learning about or two where we're getting more guys out with
On September 14 and 15, nine interested each ingredient that goes into the product, what their sons working with bush knives or bush
individuals visited Surprise Lake Camp to learn it does, how it is dried, etc. "Another thing we skills," Blackett said.
Tours to explore Edson trails on bikes or walking
by Brianne Benson residents to become acquainted with the trails groups will meet on Tuesday, October 1 at 6:00
and in turn improve physical health by being pm and Wednesday, October 2 at 12:00 pm
The Town of Edson is providing the public an active in an outdoor environment. outside Repsol Place to walk the East Side
opportunity to explore Edson's charming trail The trails are also a perfect fit for families as Trails. To walk the West Side Trails the group
system. Community Development Coordinator they are suitable for all ages. Community will meet Tuesday, October 8 at 12:00 pm and
Krysta Hawboldt will be taking groups bike members of any age are welcome to attend so Wednesday, October 9 at 5:00 pm in the Boys
riding throughout the town trails. long as they are able to ride a bike comfortably. & Girls Club parking lot.
The bike rides are for everyone in the The groups will meet outside Repsol Place on In addition, Hawboldt also leads weekly
community, but they also aim to give people Tuesday, September 24 at 6:30pm and walks on Tuesdays at 9:30 am and Wednesdays
who may be apprehensive to use the trails a Wednesday, September 25 at 12:00 pm. Both at 2:30pm, meeting at Repsol Place.
chance to become more familiar. Hawboldt the duration of the ride and the route will be The rides and walks are free and although
said, "Part of my job is to promote active living determined on the day based on the riding drop-ins are welcome, pre-registration is
in our community and we have such a beautiful ability of the groups. The bike rides generally recommended. To register call or text
trail system that I want our residents to be take 45 minutes. Hawboldt at (780) 725-3083. The groups will
comfortable being active on the trails". If biking is not your thing then Hawboldt also bike/walk rain or shine.
The bike rides are an excellent way for offers walking tours through the trails. These
