Quote of the Month
 (image from phsyorg.com)
Some of nature's most
exquisite handiwork
is on a miniature scale,
as anyone knows who
has applied a magnifying
glass to a snowflake.
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Christmas Already??
Wilderness Skills Gift Ideas
by Kate Jones, Sticks & Stones Communications Assistant
As I look out the window of our living room, large flakes of snow are gently falling... So it's not hard to believe that Christmas is around the corner. If you're thinking about gifts, you might want to consider a Sticks & Stones Gift Certificate for that person in your life who would truly benefit from and enjoy the incredibly unique, challenging, rewarding and life-skills-building experience of one of our courses.
2011 Courses include but are not limited to the following:
- Winter Wildlife Tracking
- Traditional Bow-Making
- Traditional Arrow-Making
- NEW! Canoe Paddle Making
- Empowering Ancient Ways
- Flint Knapping
- Wilderness Skills Intensive
- Cordage, Fibre and Containers
- The Way of the Hunt
- The Way of the Caretaker
Please visit http://sticksandstoneswildernessschool.com/full_schedule/ for more details on any of these courses.
Gift Certificates can be made out for a certain monetary value, or they can be the equivalent of a specific course. Below are examples:
For more info, or to order a Gift Certificate, email us at info@wildernessschool.ca, or call 519 216-6842
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What's Happening at Sticks & Stones:
The trees are exposing their skeletons as the leaves have almost all fallen to the ground. The creatures of the earth and air are leaving signs of their preparing for the season to come and the cool air wakes us from busy minds and brings us back to the present moment but also reminds us that winter is not too far off. October has been a month full of preparing for the colder months ahead as well as for the many programs that will be running here at Sticks and Stones this month. We're very excited to be offering the following programs and invite you to join us!
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Sticks & Stones and HERBS!
Hunting Season Medicine
by Kate Jones, Sticks & Stones Communications Assistant
It's that time of year again; the seasonal winds of change are blowing leaves and snow, stirring the creatures of the forest into storing up whatever energy they can before the arrival of the white stuff, foraging, caching, eating. There's still plenty of food around, so there's still time for some of the more majestic animals (with longer gestation periods) to be thinking about other things. That's right; the deer will being going into rut this month, which means I won't be seeing much of Skeet, as he will be chasing white tail-- or rather, letting them come to his carefully chosen sit spot where he waits with charcoal face, and traditionally-made bow and arrow. In this way, Skeet is adding to our winter cache, so we too can fill our bellies when the snow flies.  During exciting times like this, many long hours are spent in the woods, on the branch of a tree, or nestled into a suitable ground blind. The days can be cold, rainy, windy, which, in the absence of proper diet, rest and exercise could result in a cold or flu. So below is a recipe for a preventative measure which I make for Skeet this time of year:- about 2 cups of shredded fresh organic ginger - about 3 cups of apple cider vinegar (organic, with the mother) - three to five tablespoons of honey, according to taste - 1 litre mason jar Put shredded ginger into the mason jar and top up with apple cider vinegar. Let sit in dark cupboard for about 2 weeks, then strain the ginger out and retain the vinegar. Add honey to vinegar, and enjoy 1-3 tablespoons throughout the day. Goodness of Ginger: Ginger has many health benefits, and one in particular makes it an irreplaceable addition to the Liquid Gold. Ginger is a warming herb, and can help kill bacteria before it has a chance to reproduce. It can also knock out a fever. It stimulates blood flow, and by relaxing muscles around blood vessels. The warming effects make it a natural decongestant as well as an antihistamine; it the perfect remedy for colds. Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar: Along with Honey, Hippocrates claimed that apple cider vinegar is "the only remedy you ever need." It has natural bacteria-fighting properies, and contains many vital minerals and trace elements, some of which include potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. Its many benefits include strengthening of the immune system, soothing of sore throats and sinus infections, reducing symptoms of allergies, increasing metabolism and muscle stamina. Holy-moly Honey: Predigested by bees, honey is easy on the stomach not to mention the tastebuds, and is a great slow-release energy supply that does not spike blood sugar levels the same way as other refined sugars do. Honey has natural antibiotic qualities, and is an immune system builder. It can also be spread on cuts and burns to promote healing and prevent infection.
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Story of Integration- Community Life
by Mike Peters, Sticks & Stones Intern
Adjusting to living life outside as opposed to the city life, which both interns Mike and Drasko are accustomed to, is quite the switch! Things are slower and more challenging, with more direct exposure to the elements. It is very enjoyable but does require more preparation.
Recently, the cold weather had everyone sleeping in, huddled in their respective shelters until late morning. It must have been in the air that the interns and Sue started to feel a little lonely living their individual schedules, doing their own things in their own time and going back to their own makeshift homes at night. As good communities do, they sat down to talk. They decided that it was time for a new chapter in their collective lives!
It has been said that community is the most important primitive skill. It is one thing to say it, and another to manifest it on your own personal journey. After pursuing their individual goals for quite some time, the interns and Sue have come to realize it. With a unified goal why not have a unified community? Camp is being set up at Drasko's tipi. Personal space, meals, and stories will all be shared. David has brought another tent that they will set up and expand into. If happiness can only be shared, and life is about being happy... then why not share everything?!
This is either the beginning of something beautiful, a challenge in the making or a bit of both, time will tell. Stay tuned to the Sticks and Stones Blog for the updates!
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Headwaters Community
by Sue Steffes, Sticks & Stones Assistant Director
Tracking Club
Join us for a day of exploring the natural mysteries of our local ecosystems through tracking and wilderness awareness skills. Our meetings are open to anyone of any age.
Next Meeting: January 2011
Where: TBD
Headwaters Gathering
A traditional & ancient earth-based skills gathering, people of all ages and experience converge for a weekend of workshops, story telling, trading goods, sharing knowledge, stewardship projects and celebrating life. It's a wonderful place to gather and reconnect with each other, the earth and the natural world.
Sticks and Stones hosted this past gathering, in October. What a weekend!
Link: http://www.earthmentorship.com/Headwaters/index.html
Next Gathering: May 6-8, 2011
Stewardship
We welcome your support whether through your energy or by way of financial or equipment donations. Please contact us if you wish to take part in any project or would like to make a financial contribution. If you would like to donate equipment, please visit our "Wish List" to see where our needs lie.
If you have a stewardship project in mind or have access to land that is need of rehabilitation, please feel free to contact us, we'd love to talk with you about it.
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