Turtle Lodge – A Place for Healing

One of the newest developments in the community of Listuguj is the Turtle Lodge. The Turtle Lodge was created as a place for practicing healing in the ways of Mi’gmaq ancestors.

The idea for the project began a couple of years ago, and a Call for Tender was posted in early March 2023. Construction began in the Spring of 2023.

At the Turtle Lodge, community members will be able to embrace their Mi’gmaq culture and traditions. There will be talking circles, teachings, and storytelling. Workshops for medicine making, drum making, rattle making, and more will be available. The community will invite knowledge-keepers from sister communities to come and offer their services and share their wisdom. It will also act as a safe space for residential school survivors and second generations who feel the impacts of generational trauma. There will be a language room, where various departments will work to help promote and preserve the Mi’gmaq language. The building will be available for ceremonies that will be open to the community.

The Turtle Lodge will also be equipped with office space, and a kitchen, which will create job opportunities.  

Councilor and community member Chad Gedeon who has played a big role in this project said, “The Turtle Lodge would not have happened without knowledge-keepers, our healers, Capital and Infrastructure, and our community members for pushing for it.”

The overall project is estimated at approximately three million dollars. For phase one, funding for approximately two million dollars was covered by CIRNAC (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada). Approximately $150,000 was covered by the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government (LMG). Phase one has officially been completed this month. Currently, LMG is trying to secure funds for phase two of this project, which would be all the finish work, including the interior work and landscaping.

The Turtle Lodge is a unique and bright building. It was made with mass timber products and includes a skylight, which projects natural light into the building. There will also be a large Mi’gmaq star on display.

Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of LMG Bassem Abdrabou said, “The building was designed to be supported by seven pillars, which represent the seven teachings:  Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility and Truth.”

The Turtle Lodge is located on Bordeaux Road, next to the Etlinpisulti’gw Healing Grounds, and is expected to be completed at the end of Summer.

By Ann Marie Jacques