Angela , Mishkwiingwese ( She Blushes ), and Kelsey demonstrate a teamwork exercise , learned at the EAL certification course . Photo credit : Shuana Niessen
preservation ," Angela says . The actual preservation of the critically endangered Lac La Croix Indigenous Pony extends as a metaphor for cultural and identity preservation : " Their mere presence is a counternarrative to the colonial narrative of the extinction of Indigenous horses to the Americas ," says Angela . Indeed , the Lac La Croix Indigenous Pony ' s survival itself inspires hope . But beyond that , Angela feels that interaction with Indigenous horses gives " Indigenous youth opportunities to connect with horses who have resilience and strength , like their own , that they can identify with , a culturally specific story ," she says .
What exactly is Equine Assisted Learning ( EAL )?
Snowshoe and Starblanket ( 2016 ) state that EAL " is a relatively new approach to knowledge acquisition that draws primarily on the tenets of experiential learning , that is , learning through handson experience with the horse ( Dell , Chalmers , Dell , Sauve , & MacKinnon , 2008 )." 2
To deepen her understanding of EAL , Kelsey received EAL certification in August at Cartier Farms , near Prince Albert . Cartier Farms teaches that establishing an experiental handson working relationship with horses , with their sensitivity , non-verbal communications , resilience , and forgiving ways , can be an effective approach to learning , to self-knowledge , and to selfevaluation . 3
Angela , who has been guided by the traditional Elders , Knowledge Keepers , and communities with whom she has worked , sees the potential for healing and learning in culturally adapted EAL . Angela views horses as " more-thanhuman co-constructors of knowledge ." Horses have much to teach us about the land and living on the land , she says . Elders and Knowledge Keepers have taught Angela that , with their four feet always on the ground , horses have a greater connection with Mother Earth , and through this connection , the Creator . Thus , traditionally , horses have been considered a source of maintaining and recovering holistic wellness .
Upon the arrival of Angela ' s first Pony at the Sanctuary , a beautiful stallion , affectionately named Sagineshkawa ( Pleasure with my Arrival ), she says , " I realized that I should not rush things . I needed to slow down and have humility , especially around a powerful being like a horse ... This was the horse that I had to pay attention to and listen to spiritually ." Angela is grateful to all her ponies for their patience in teaching her . Kelsey ' s experiences with horses have similarly given her the understanding that she must " slow down and be present in the moment ," she says . " Helping humans slow down is a way that the horses care for us ," says Angela . She views the horsehuman relationship as one of mutual caring : " We are caretakers of them and the land , but the ponies also take care of us ."
Yet , there is an urgency that requires speed in this research due to the need for Indigenous youth to be able to access culturally adapted healing and learning programs . As a mother of a toddler , Kelsey had intended to move a bit slower with her research , but she says everything is moving much quicker than she planned or expected . Kelsey ' s research , using what Angela describes as " a pure Indigenous research method ," seeks to understand the spiritual and cultural connections between Indigenous youth and Indigenous horses . Incorporating ceremony as research , Kelsey is documenting her interactions and deep listening experiences with the ponies , along with the conversations she has with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to make sense of what she observes .
The two researchers are already envisioning and talking about future plans . Angela says , " We hope to apply for an operating grant to help Kelsey set up her own Indigenous-centered Equine-Assisted Learning and healing program in the community , following the completion of her academic work ."
The Sanctuary has recently gained international attention . It will be featured in a short documentary film currently being produced by National Geographic as part of the Natural Connections Project . The film will document how EAL contributes to the well-being of First Nations youth . Through the film , Angela hopes to showcase " how Indigenous communities are using horses to connect with culture , strengthen positive relationships , and learn through activities with horses and nature ."
By Shuana Niessen
2
Snowshoe , A ., & Starblanket , N . V . ( 2016 ). Eyininiw mistatimwak : The role of the Lac La Croix Indigenous Pony for First Nations youth mental wellness . Journal of Indigenous Well-being , 1 ( 2 ), 60 - 76 .
3 http :// www . cartierfarms . ca / what-is-eal . html
The cozy tipi at the Sanctuary provides a comfortable setting for sipping hot tea and engaging in meaningful conversations about research plans , healing and learning , Indigenous ponies , the land , the birds that call ( Angela is from the Loon Clan ), and the beauty and serenity of the Sanctuary . Photo credit : Shuana Niessen
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