At Dimensions, we are committed to building relationships with our Indigenous neighbours and participating in Truth and Reconciliation.

We’ve been learning about diverse Indigenous practices thanks to Martin Millen (in English) – or Thunder Man (Nimkii Inini, his spirit name in Ojibwe).

Martin is a First Nation Traditional Medicine Man of Ojibwe and European descent, of the turtle clan, and a band member of Matachewan First Nation, where his mother was born and raised. Generations of his family have worked with herbal medicines.

Martin was integral to establishing our Indigenous-only Veterans Program and retreat. The restorative program is exclusively for Indigenous Veterans who have experienced trauma during their service. It takes into consideration intergenerational trauma and is culturally sensitive.

The holistic and clinical approaches of Dimensions are complementary to Indigenous healing customs and practices, according to Martin. “The services offered to Veterans of all Nations here are rare in that a multitude of holistic approaches to wellness are being offered in one location,” he says.

Martin introduced a Sweat Lodge to Dimensions and conducts Ceremony there. In this dome-shaped structure, water and steam are used—similarly to how they are used in a sauna.

“They help purge and release body toxins, clear blocked energies and release somatic mutations that generate stress, anxiety and depression,” explains Martin.

Together with Martin, we found a peaceful spot on the Dimensions Algonquin Highlands property to build this Sweat Lodge. The structure is surrounded by birch and maple trees. As Martin explains, “These trees hold a prime source of life-source energy and medicine from nature.”

Learn more about our Indigenous-only Veterans Program here.