A Native American experience: meeting with a healer

Manitoulin Island (PasseportSanté.net) August 23, 2007 – The healer Ronald Wakegijg receives me in his workplace, a large room without windows, but spectacular: it is circular, an open hearth stands in the center, overhung by a conical roof. There is room to seat about 15 people. Outside the circle, there is very dry wood, drying plants, pots containing remedies whose composition he will be careful not to reveal to me.

I felt the mistrust of this traditional healer with regard to my approach, but he still agreed to meet me, which I am honored. He will remain on his guard throughout this 30-minute interview, but will answer all my questions. My requests to take a photo of him and this place will however be declined.

Back to basics

The Wikwemikong Health Center has been in operation since 1986. About 45 people work there: doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, youth counselors, home helpers, and so on. Ronald Wakegijg and Jack Billy, a white doctor, are behind this initiative.

“Before opening the center, we surveyed the population to see if there was a demand for traditional medicine. The answer was very clear since 76% of respondents said they were interested, ”says Ronald Wakegijg. A victory for this man who remembers with bitterness the not so distant time when the control of the religious on the reserve prohibited the use of traditional Amerindian medicine. “We did our rituals at night,” he says.

The population of Wikwemikong is made up of eight indigenous communities. Ronald Wakegijg welcomes his visitors in his large circular room or goes to meet them. He receives up to eight people a day and the meetings are not timed. “It takes as long as it takes, sometimes 30 minutes, sometimes two hours. And I follow up by phone, fax and even email, ”he continues with a smile deep in his eyes. It just goes to show that the traditional and the modern can go hand in hand.

The role of the healer

Diabetes, which affects 10% of the population, is one of the main health problems of residents of the reserve, argues Ronald Wakegijg. He also talks to me about skin problems, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

What can a healer do to relieve diabetes? After having deplored the sedentary lifestyle which largely contributes to the epidemic, this healer explains to me that he concocted, 17 years ago, a remedy based on local plants, which makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of insulin and oral diabetes treatments. “I never advise a patient not to take their medication, but depending on the severity of their diabetes, I suggest a mixture of four to seven plants,” he explains.

Ronald Wakegijg does more than just treat the disease. “I take into account the whole person: the body, but also the mind and the mind. I use sage fumigation to purify these three levels of being. And for those who wish, there is the sacred pipe which is a way of presenting oneself to one’s Creator, whoever he is, ”he explains.

Mental health issues

Several residents of the reserve also experience psychological distress. “We started a mental health clinic in 1986 because there were several youth suicides that year. It has subsided and things are better, but there are cases of anxiety and depression, ”says Ronald Wakegijg.

To help people with anxiety and depression, the healer has on hand a remedy containing four dried and crushed plants, to be taken as an infusion. “I also prescribe it to people who have had surgery. The relaxing effect allows the body to recover better after the shock of the operation, ”he explains.

My host appears to be well versed in herbal and drug interactions as he uses St. John’s Wort – an herb used to treat depression – with discernment: “It grows here, but I don’t suggest it when people take it. medications, as there are possible interactions. “

And the next generation?

Ronald Wakegijg is 63 years old and wears them very well. Who will succeed him? “I have an apprentice who collects plants throughout the summer and fall for me and who knows the composition of all my remedies, but I don’t know yet if he wants to continue and become a healer, ”he argues.

He himself was trained by healers and community elders, many of whom have long since joined the spirit world. He remains hopeful, however, since the young people of the reserve seem to be showing a growing interest in traditional medicine. “But the remedies are not all. We must also be able to diagnose ailments of the body and the mind, ”he emphasizes.

At the end of this meeting, I ask him if I can receive a fumigation, which he accepts. I let myself be purified by this fragrant smoke and we part with a handshake.

Françoise Ruby – PasseportSanté.net