It Takes Courage
Lisa Raven, Susan Campbell, Dianne Little and Francois Paradis at our most recent Blanket Ceremony. (November 2023)
Taking on the role of a Returning to Spirit Trainer is no small feat. A long and often humbling process, the road from Trainer Development to becoming a Certified Trainer takes dedication and courage.
Recently, we held a special Blanket Ceremony to honour two of our Certified Trainers, Susan Campbell and Dianne Little.
“Traditionally RTS has used the blanket ceremony and eagle feather as part of our certification. The eagle feather represents many things to Indigenous peoples but for this ceremony, it means courage and bravery, and you need those qualities to become a Certified Trainer. It takes courage to see yourself from a place of humility, to make mistakes and continue forward, learning and developing from each step along the way. The eagle feather is a symbol for healing and our work is also healing.”
Knowledge Keeper, and one of the first Non-Indigenous Certified Trainers, Francois Paradis and our Executive Director, Lisa Raven spoke about the incredible contributions of both Dianne and Susan to Returning to Spirit, gifting each of them with an eagle feather and wrapping them in their own unique blankets. The feathers were gifted to RTS by Mike and John Peter Flett, the first Indigenous Certified Trainers of RTS who have both passed on.
Deeply impactful to her life, Susan shared about her experiences with RTS over the last 15 years.
Susan and Dianne wrapped in their RTS Certified Trainer blankets.
“It was a tremendous honour for me to receive the ceremonial blanket and eagle feather as a Certified RTS Trainer. Since I took my first RTS workshop in 2008, I have felt the sacredness of this work. I have been on the team since 2010 and was a Certified Seminar Leader in 2012. Taking part in Roots [of Reconciliation] and Advancing Reconciliation workshops over the years has been life altering. […]The number of times the spirit of reconciliation and healing showed up in the rooms of the workshops reveals what is possible when we open ourselves up to one another respectfully in a place of safety. […] The blanket that was used for the ceremony carries significance for me. Entitled “All My Relations” by the Indigenous designer Bethany Yellowtail, it is a visual reminder of our interconnectedness, the beauty that can come from coming together in peace and the creation of vibrant partnerships. […] The trainers in RTS have been a huge influence in my life and I am grateful to be part of this amazing community. Miigwech.”
Dianne’s blanket entitled “Renewal” designed by Sarah Agaton Howes.
The blanket gifted to Dianne was designed by Sarah Agaton Howes (Anishinaabe) in collaboration with Eighth Generation’s Inspired Natives™ Project. Entitled “Renewal”, the blanket was deeply meaningful as it truly reflected the sense of transformation Dianne has experienced.
“[I have] a deep gratitude to every part of my experience, of my entire time here. From being a participant to a Trainer to a Keeper, just all of it and every person that was a part of it. For a kid that grew up believing she was invisible and living her life like that was to the core of me. Always having my hand out to say ‘No, I don’t deserve this‘, to be honoured in that way was a powerful validation of something I just didn’t know could exist for me. Something I’ve never experienced, something I’ve struggled with everyday. [It was] a powerful, very emotional moment and it’s connected to gratitude, and I’m just humbled by this process, these people, this ceremony.”
RTS team during our Blanket Ceremony with a drum song from our Executive Director, Lisa Raven.
Throughout the ceremony, the room filled with drum songs, smudging, words spoken from a place of honour and gratitude, warm embraces & a feast to celebrate the profound contributions of our Trainers.
The path of an RTS Trainer will forever challenge us, humble us and push us out of our comfort zones, but it will always be an honour to bring this work to others, to support them on their journey of reconciliation and walk together in a good way.
For more information on the ceremonial blankets:
“All My Relations” blanket by Bethany Yellowtail
“Renewal” blanket by Sarah Agaton Howes
For more information on our RTS team, click here.
