Indigenous teaching organization Red Road Compass is looking to expand an interesting sustainable harvest initiative.
"We have tried to come up with an initiative that would allow individuals to connect to the land, and to learn a marketable skill that would allow them to earn some cash so that they can improve their life...so what we do is we bring individuals out into the environment, and we educate them on plants that have value," said Shawn Charlebois, owner and operator of Red Road Compass.
Charlebois also didn't fail to stress the importance of sustainability to the initiative.
"We established a real great working relationship with Natural Resources, and so we've sat down with them, had converstaions with them about can we do this in a sustainable way that supports their mandate of sustainability in the bush," said Charlebois.
He also commented on the level of commitment to sutainability that the initiative's current harvesters have.
"The people that we've currently worked with have been wonderful and have done their best. Even those people who are struggling financially, and there's a gain there for them possibly, are the ones that have been coming forward and preaching sustainability," said Charlebois.
Though some First Nations frown upon the sale of medicines, Charlebois has focused more on the good that comes from the initiative.
"When we talk about medicines, we must take into consideration that when we think of healing, we must think of people who just don't have enough money in their pockets to live a comfortable life," said Charlebois.
If you're interested in learning more about the initiative at Red Road Compass, more details and contact information are available at their website.
