Ceremonialist, Folk and Clinical Herbalist
Chantal Gagne was born and raised in Northern Ontario. She is a biracial Anishinaabe woman and a registered band member of the Sagamok Anishinawbek First Nation. Her ancestral lineages include those of the Ojibway Nation, as well as a mixed European Heritage - all of which have shaped who she is today. After leaving her childhood stomping grounds, Chantal roamed and lived in many places. Currently, Chantal calls Land of the Ktunaxa People, in the East Kootenays, home. There, she lives on an off-grid homestead with her partner and daughter, tending to organic food and medicine gardens, animals, and the Spirit of the Land and of Life. For over 20 years Chantal has been building reciprocal, hands-on, relationships with our plant relatives. Chantal has also been an apprentice to several Traditional First Nations Medicine people and elders, herbalists, and ceremonialists. Most recently, after practicing as a folk herbalist and ceremonialist for many years, Chantal completed a Clinical Herbalist Diploma, and now integrates all the ways of knowing. These ways also include her 20+ years of experience in healthcare as a BScN student and RN.