ABOUT
At Reflections - Nanaandwejgejig Bezhigoogizhiik (Healing Horses), it is all about YOU, the participant. Our mission is to offer an experiential and unique approach to teaching life skills to individuals who are struggling with mental health. This program allows the individual to overcome issues of depression, anxiety, aggression and addictions. One of the ways we do this is with horses.
Horses, by nature, develop coping strategies with confidence and are capable of reading or becoming aware of how a person is feeling before the client even understands it themselves. The horses in our program will help explore positive & personal development through a powerful journey of learning and understanding, analyzing and developing strengths in communication, building leadership and teamwork skills, constructing confidence & self-esteem, building trust, aspiring for your self-worth, and exploring conflict resolutions. We empower your greatest asset, and that is YOU!
Marcia Manitowabi
Owner & Certified EAL Facilitator of Reflections Equine Assisted Learning - REAL
Marcia Manitowabi MSW, RSW, Wabanung Kwe, Morning Star Woman, Bear Clan, Odawa/Ojibway Nation, from Wikwemikoong Unceded Territory. Marcia is the proud owner of Reflections Nanaandwejgejig Bezhigoogizhiik. Marcia is a Social Worker, Counsellor, Educator and a Certified Equine Assisted Facilitator. She has been committed to promoting the preservation of Indigenous culture and has advocated for improving the health and well-being of Indigenous children and families.
Connecting with our horse relatives, “Aankobinaangwaa bezhigoogzhii ezhi-nwendaasing” has been a powerful way to connect and heal. Reflections provides an experiential approach to teaching life skills using horses. Participants engage in hands-on learning that advances through exercises as team members in exploring positive development of communication, self-respect, confidence, trust, accountability and conflict resolution. Sessions incorporate a variety of ground work and general horsemanship activities such as grooming, leading and herd observation.
Group sessions can be tailored to fit the needs of the participants. Reflections has held groups for women that have been impacted by violence, men's groups, as well as empowering youth sessions.
Currently, Reflections is hosting "Building your Bundle, Connecting our Spirits, Finding our Identity" Doodegmag Ndinwemaagnag Clan Relatives. This 2-hour session includes 7 Equine Assisted Learning stations, where clients work together with their partners. Equine Assisted Learning is strictly a ground-working program, it is not a riding program. This group is opened up with a smudge, sharing circle for introduction and discussion on the program and horse safety. Group sessions can be up to 10 people. Programs can also be tailored as a single session or as part of a 4-6 week program.