Celebrating healers, herbalists, and plant lovers; starting from the ground up, connecting with ourselves, plants and nature!
Join us for a joyful fun day of learning, sharing, ceremony and entertainment.
Saturday September 7th 2019
- A full day of lectures, workshops, herb walks and foraging
- Live music and performances
- Only one hour north of Toronto, Dogwood and Brambles farm and botanical sanctuary
- Freshly made, farm to table organic, vegetarian meals, Thanks to Sui!
- Serving hot and cold tea blends and freshly roasted organic coffee at the Beverage Bar
- Kava Ceremony
- Visit The Red Tent and learn about The Red Tent Movement
- Vendors offering their wares and services
- Begin the day with a herb walk and End with a fire dance
Since 2012, Back to Your Roots has brought together budding healers, herbalists, and plant lovers to share their wisdom of herbs, natural healing, foraging, stewardship and gardening. Though the emphasis at Back to Your Roots is on health, healing and well-being, we are far more than an educational event. This retreat is a joyful celebration of spirit and wisdom, as well as a special time of honouring the Earth and her plant rich being. All are welcome! Come with an open heart, a willingness to share, learn, and celebrate together.
Keynote Speaker
Jus Crea Giammarino, ND
Raised with her Penobscot culture and Native American spiritual practices, Dr. Jus Crea Giammarino realized the healing powers of nature at a young age. She received a Certificate in Herbal Therapeutics and attended the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies. She received a Bachelors of Science from UMass, Amherst in ‘Ethnobotany and Holistic Health’, graduating magna cum laude from the Honors College. Here she also received a Certificate in Native American Studies as well as completing premedical coursework. She went on to receive a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the University of Bridgeport, College of Naturopathic Medicine graduating at the top of her class earning the award for ‘Academic Excellence in Naturopathic Medicine’. She completed an advanced externship in pediatrics, women's health, and family medicine as well as receiving advanced training in Sankaran Homeopathy. She became an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist at the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Hospital in Bronx, NY and a certified practitioner in WTS Therapy.
Jus Crea has lectured extensively on Native American Herbology and leads ethnobotanical tours. She teaches Native American cultures, histories and traditions. Previously she taught Nutrition at Springfield College and was a primary care physician in Brattleboro, VT. Currently Dr. Giammarino practices Naturopathic Medicine in Springfield, MA treating people of all ages.
Schedule
Schedule is subject to change.
Teachers & Classes
Jus Crea Giammarino, ND
Raised with her Penobscot culture and Native American spiritual practices, Dr. Jus Crea Giammarino realized the healing powers of nature at a young age. She received a Certificate in Herbal Therapeutics and attended the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies. She received a Bachelors of Science from UMass, Amherst in ‘Ethnobotany and Holistic Health’, graduating magna cum laude from the Honors College. Here she also received a Certificate in Native American Studies as well as completing premedical coursework. She went on to receive a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the University of Bridgeport, College of Naturopathic Medicine graduating at the top of her class earning the award for ‘Academic Excellence in Naturopathic Medicine’. She completed an advanced externship in pediatrics, women's health, and family medicine as well as receiving advanced training in Sankaran Homeopathy. She became an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist at the Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Hospital in Bronx, NY and a certified practitioner in WTS Therapy.
Jus Crea has lectured extensively on Native American Herbology and leads ethnobotanical tours. She teaches Native American cultures, histories and traditions. Previously she taught Nutrition at Springfield College and was a primary care physician in Brattleboro, VT. Currently Dr. Giammarino practices Naturopathic Medicine in Springfield, MA treating people of all ages.
Lecture Description:
Connecting with our ancestral wisdom and guidance allows us the opportunity to remember their healing ways provided by our earth mother. Ancient agreements and instructions established a harmonious, sustainable, and sacred relationship with all of creation. The reclamation of our ancestors healing ways restores and honors these ancient relations with plants, land, animals, waters, and spirits. As was foretold in ancient prophecies, restoring this Indigenous knowledge has the healing capacity for all life for the seventh generation to come.
Ancient wisdom passed on through the oral tradition for thousands of years gives us an opportunity to live with respect, reciprocity and sustainability with our plant relatives. As told in our stories, plants want to help us heal. These essential teachings give a larger understanding of our connection to the plants and spirits as well as the healing that they offer to us.
Tammi Sweet, MS, LMT
Tammi Sweet, a passionate and energetic teacher, brings 28 years teaching experience into the classroom. Her amazement and wonder of the human body and how it works shines through as she presents the material in ways people can understand and utilize. She loves integrating the wisdom of the body with all aspects of living. Presently she co-directs her Herbal Program at Heartstone Herbal School and teaches Anatomy and Physiology and herbalism at Herbal schools and conferences throughout the country. Her learning of the body has come through many paths including traditional master’s level college studies in Neurobiology, teaching College Anatomy & Physiology, Massage School, Yoga Teacher Training, Herbal studies, collegiate athletics and most importantly, an ever-growing love of understanding who we are in relation with this wonderful home we call the earth.
Lecture Description:
As herbalists we all know when giving a weed walk in a new place, the richest areas are the transitions zones, the margins, the edges. In this light, we will examine a much maligned, misunderstood and misrepresented plant we have pushed to the margins, Cannabis. It is time for us, the herbalists, to reclaim the proper uses of this medicine in our material medica. Time for us to help educate people about how, when, and why cannabis works (and it’s not a cure for everything!). We will discuss time tested uses of this plant showing positive results, simple medicine making and finally we will discuss “right relationship” with this master plant and brainstorm ways to assist clients in creating ways to honor this sacred and healing plant.
Pain! What is it good for?
Chronic pain affects 80 million people annually. Understanding the pain pathway allows us to intervene at multiple levels with a myriad of interventions. Opiate overuse stems from people not understanding other options for pain relief. Cannabis has been used successfully to treat chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain. We will explore the pain pathway from the origin at the source, all the way up to recognition in the brain. From here we will discuss the latest findings in pain research, the of methods to interrupt the pain pathway (Including cannabis, lifestyle and other herbs!), how these methods work, and finally, indications and contraindications for use.
Penelope Beaudrow, RH (OHA)
Penelope Beaudrow is an Herbal Educator and Registered Herbalist who earned her diploma from the Dominion Herbal College in British Columbia. She has had a career with herbs for the past two decades; from "the field to bottle” in all aspects of the natural products industry. Penelope is Product Development Specialist and Herbal Educator at Faunus Herbs. She is also a board member of the Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine, moderator at The Annual International and Regional Restorative Medicine Conferences and past organizer of these conferences for ten years. Penny also facilitates The Ginkgo Tree Herbal Course and is Back To Your Roots Herbal Retreat co founder and organizer. She is also the founder of The Ginkgo Tree, a small herbal business (Education, Teas & Tinctures) located on her family farm, Dogwood & Brambles. They are very proud to announce that their small farm has been designated as a United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary since 2017. Penelope has lectured throughout North America; for The Restorative Medicine Conference, International Herb Symposium, New England Herbal Conference, Back To Your Roots Herbal Retreat, Heartwood Gathering, Richter's Herbs, Canada Blooms, Toronto Botanical Gardens and other conferences and various organizations throughout North America. She also has appeared in the Toronto Star's Gardening Column, by Sonja Day. https://theginkgotree.ca/
Lecture Description:
Medicinal Plant Sanctuary ~ At Risk Plant Talk & Walk
The Ginkgo Tree is proud to be a Botanical Sanctuary Member with United Plant Savers. UPS’ mission is to protect native medicinal plants of North America and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come. With herbs moving into mainstream, and the demand on wild medicinal plants increases we are using up the supply of these herbs. This increased usage along with habitat destruction is causing an ever-increasing shortage of wild plant resources, including some of our most treasured medicinal species. Join us on this walk to learn about United Plant Savers, “At Risk” and “At Watch” medicinal plants and their medicinal uses. Learn how you too, can make a difference!
7Song, RH (AHG)
Director of the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine, has been studying, teaching, and pursuing his interest and passion for plants for over 19 years. He is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild and teaches at herbal schools, symposia and classes throughout the United States. He has attended the California School of Herbal Studies and the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. He devotes much of his waking time to studying plants’ innumerable intriguing aspects.
He has a clinical practice in Ithaca, NY, focusing on home, street and wilderness first aid, emergency and trauma medicine, men’s health and constitutional health care.
7Song is a devotee of field botany and enjoys traveling, keying-out, and investigating the intricate botanical details of plants and their surroundings. He also wildcrafts and prepares a wide variety of botanical preparations.
7Song has a deep respect and love for the plants and is thankful to be in a world abounding in them. He believes in bringing herbal medicine with a focus on the plants themselves back into mainstream and daily health care. He looks forward to the day when herbalists are again an integral part of their community. We are happy to have 7Song as a guest instructor for workshops and certification courses.
Lecture Description:
Plant Walk with a Clinical Focus
This walk will focus on the clinical uses of the medicinal plants that grow around Ontario It will include the different structures of the plants, ways to gather and prepare them as medicine and specifics in applying them clinically.
Herbalism for Post Collapse
This somewhat fanciful but practical class will cover plants that would be helpful when the grid is down and people need to rely on local supplies for medicine.
It will cover some of the most basic plants and herbal medicines useful in this type of scenario. These include treatment for injuries, infections, pain and mental health. The plants will be those found growing plentifully around Ontario, Canada.
So bring your gas mask and buck knife for a class with some hands-on skills and a bit of story-telling.
Evening Herb Walk
Enjoy an evening herb walk with 7 Song!
Pat Crocker
As a professional Home Economist (BAA, Ryerson U., Toronto) and Culinary Herbalist, Pat’s passion for healthy food is fused with her knowledge and love of herbs. She has honed her herb practice over more than four decades of growing, studying, photographing, experimenting with, and writing about what she calls, the helping plants. In fact, Crocker marries the medicinal benefits of herbs in every original recipe she develops. Pat has written 22 herb/healthy cookbooks, including The Healing Herbs Cookbook, The Juicing Bible, and most recently, The Herbalist’s Kitchen (Sterling, 2018) and Healing Cannabis Edibles. Watch for her next book, Cooking and Healing with Cannabis to be launched in 2020.
Lecture Description:
Cooking and Healing with Cannabis
As an ancestral, sacred and entheogen herb, Cannabis is once again rising to the urgent call to help heal humans. Pat Crocker explains the key issues in making your own edibles and medicine. Pat will de-mystify strains and ratios, she will explain THC and CBD, how to determine dosage, and each participant will take away a Cannabis + Power Herb Tincture.
Steven Martyn, M.A. (traditional plant use), B.F.A. honours. Artist, farmer, wildcrafter, builder, teacher, writer, visionary.
Steven has more than thirty years experience living co-creatively with the Earth practicing traditional living skills of growing food, building and healing. Steven created “Livingstone & Greenbloom” (Toronto’s first “green” landscaping company 1989); and the Algonquin Tea’s (North America’s first bioregional tea company 1996).
He has given talks and run workshops internationally for more then twenty years and has taught at Algonquin college since 2000.
Lecture Description:
Sacred Gardening
Join Steven Martyn for his telling of a 35yr journey towards an understanding of indigenous (sacred) gardening. This small story of one person working in the wilds, as written about in 'The Story of the Madawaska Forest Garden; Co-creating Integrated Polyculture' and 'Sacred Gardening; Seeds for the reemergence of co-creative agricutlure, throws a net of understanding out over the last ten thousand years of local and world history. What we catch from Steven's broad casting, is a shimmering glimpse of our lost ancestral home here on Earth.
This workshop is aimed at giving the participant an opening into another way of gardening and working with the Earth. Indigenous gardening (sacred gardening), has a very different set of agendas and methodologies than the Western forms of gardening, that came to North America via Europe. Different even than Biodynamic or Permaculture. What this more ancient way of gardening points us toward is not just new practices but a whole new way of looking at ‘land-use’ and ‘food production’.
"Having spent much of my life disengaged from western culture, wondering in the animate world, the most surprising thing I’ve come across is that rather then pointing me away from civilization, my interactions with the animate world have pointed to the very foundation of western culture, revealing civilizations sacred heart."
Aku Dunyo Richter
Aku is a member of the Ewe tribe of West Africa from the village of Dagbamete, in the Volta Region of Ghana. The daughter of a village priest who is also a prominent traditional psychic herbalist, Aku moved to Canada to join her husband, Conrad Richter of Richters Herbs, in 1996. She was a member of Kekeli, an African traditional drum and dance ensemble based in Toronto. She is the greenhouse manager of Richters Herbs in Goodwood where she lives with her husband and three children. In 2013, Aku was initiated as Queen Mother of her village in Ghana by the elders in an elaborate ceremony. www.richters.com
Lecture Description:
Herbs Out Of Africa
With Conrad & Aku Richter, owners of Richters Herbs.
African traditional herbalism is a collaboration between the healer, the patient, the herbs and the spirit world. The herbs used are very powerful pharmacologically, backed by modern science. But many also work on the psychic level. This wholistic approach toward physical, psychological and spiritual care of families and whole communities is often very effective. We will discuss some of the herbs that are now available in the West. 2-3pm
Conrad Richter
Conrad is president of Richter's Herbs. He has been involved with Richter's since its inception in 1967 when he was still a child, helping in the greenhouses and in the fields after school and on weekends. His interest in herbs took flight when he helped his father prepare the first Richter's herb catalogue in 1970. He has worked on every Richter's catalogue since. He has a primary responsibility for research and development. Through his efforts many herbs new to gardeners in North America have been introduced for the first time. Conrad is responsible for the introduction of famous Richter's varieties such as Orange Spice™ Thyme and Profusion® Chives. Conrad has served on the boards of the International Herb Association and the Ontario Herbalists Association. He also served as director of a Canadian registered charity for 25 years. He has a Master of Science degree in botany from the University of Toronto. www.richters.com
Lecture Description:
Herbs Out Of Africa
With Conrad & Aku Richter, owners of Richters Herbs.
African traditional herbalism is a collaboration between the healer, the patient, the herbs and the spirit world. The herbs used are very powerful pharmacologically, backed by modern science. But many also work on the psychic level. This wholistic approach toward physical, psychological and spiritual care of families and whole communities is often very effective. We will discuss some of the herbs that are now available in the West. 2-3pm
Marianne Beacon
Marianne is a Registered Professional Herbalist, Advanced Bowen Therapist, Reiki Master and teacher. She has been training in the healing arts since 1994 and has a Diploma in Clinical Herbal Medicine, as well as over 2000 apprenticeship hours alongside traditional and professional herbalists and midwives. Her focus is a Western Herbalist approach using whole plant medicine and flower essences. Marianne runs a multi-disciplinary clinic and apothecary in Peterborough, Ontario. She is currently the President of the Ontario Herbalist’s Association. Marianne brings a heart-centered approach to her work and teaching and has many years of wild-crafting, production and clinical experience from which to draw. With multiple modalities available to her, Marianne offers the breadth and depth of her experience and knowledge to her clients and students in a co-creative and caring atmosphere. www.elderberryclinic.ca
Lecture Description:
Teas and Tinctures ~ Preparation & Blending Workshop
It doesn’t take long in the herbal world before you start hearing about bitters and carminatives. But what exactly ARE bitters doing for our health? And how do they and carminatives help improve our digestion? And what does improving our digestion do for us in the short and long term? In this workshop, we will learn how to make a tincture and a tea. We will prepare a bitter formula as a tincture, and a carminative formula as a tea. Everyone will have a chance to take a taster home with them to try.
Thank you to Faunus Herbs and The Ginkgo Tree for sponsoring this talk.
Abrah Arneson
Abrah Arneson, Cht. RH, is passionate about mind/body healing. After a year-long meditation retreat in the Yukon wilderness, Abrah returned to school to complete Dominion Herbalist College’s 4-year Clinical Herbal Therapist Program. While in herb school, Abrah worked in a hospice setting caring for the dying. Upon graduating Abrah opened The Green Clinic: Herbal and Traditional Healing and was in private practice for 10 years in Red Deer, Alberta. During that time Abrah wrote a biweekly column on herbal medicine for two Alberta newspapers, facilitated the learning of several apprentices, taught plant medicine at a local college and was a co-founder of the 1st Canadian Herb Gathering in Alberta. Abrah also the author of The Herbal Apprentice: Plant Medicine and the Human Being. Abrah has been a guest lecturer at herb gatherings throughout North America. In 2015, Abrah and her husband, moved to Ontario where she co-managed a meditation retreat centre. She now lives in the beautiful Gatineau Hill, Quebec and practices and teaches herbal medicine in Ottawa, Ontario. www.abraherbs.com
Lecture Description:
What it Means to be a Herbalist in 2019: from a Historical, Political and Environmental Perspective
Practicing herbal medicine in 2018 is a radicle act. Knowing how to grow medicine in a garden or gather it from a wild place is beyond most North American frame of reference and is certainly destabilizing to industrialized medicine. Yet, growing thyme in the garden, or gathering a medicinal conch from a rotting tree in the forest, barely even begins to describe the complexity today’s herbal medicine. With medicinal plants from anywhere on the planet accessible with the click of a mouse, the merging of ancient medical systems with new practices like phytochemistry, and practicing medicine in an unregulated profession that does not practice medicine means that today’s herbalist needs to politically astute, an environmentalist and steward, a historian and a chemist, a healer, shaman and teacher. During this circle we will explore together how wearing the hat of the herbalist in 2018 is a unique opportunity to plant seeds for a beautiful tomorrow.
Alexis Burnett
Alexis is a Naturalist, Tracker, Herbalist, Wilderness Skills Practitioner and Canoe Guide from Orangeville, Ontario. He currently resides in the Owen Sound area, spending his days tracking, wild-crafting and running his Outdoor School and Wilderness Canoe Tripping company, Earth Tracks. Alexis is lead guide for the wilderness canoe trips and head instructor for all the programs and classes. Along with his wife Bobbi and two children, they also run a small scale herb farm (Rebel Roots Herb Farm) which specializes in organically grown and ethically wild-crafted herbs. Alexis is committed to mentoring and teaching others the skills that help us to re-connect with the natural world in an ancient and powerful way. By learning from nature through immersion and direct experience we begin to see and more importantly ‘feel’ the inter-relation of all things in the natural world. And from here we can begin to understand the important role that we all can play in protecting and preserving the Earth for future generations. www.earthtracks.ca http://www.organigrowcanada.com/
Lecture Description:
How to Grow Your 4 Cannabis Plants
In this workshop we will discuss and learn how to grow and take care of this special plant. Some of the things we will cover in this workshop include:
- What strains/cultivars grow well in this area
- How to germinate seeds and when to transplant seedlings
- Organic Nutrients – How to feed and water your plants
- Various pruning and growing techniques
- How and when to harvest
- Drying and curing your flowers
And much more……
Margaret Lloyd
Maggie lives in Hanover, Ontario with her husband David, two horses Nell and Amigo, her dog Lucy and Della the Princess Cat. Maggie developed a passion for deeper communication with animals when she renewed her love for horses after all four children had left the nest. Maggie took a course in animal communication and a whole new world opened. One that she will share with you and encourage everyone to experience. Maggie has communicated with both living and passed animals from Cats to Parrots. Also, she has had some enlightening communications with people. Maggie believes there is a dimension to life that is inviting everyone to enter and understand so the world will be enriched.
Lecture Description:
Becoming Conscious and the Three R's
The Ubiquitous nature of consciousness. How opening your consciousness will:
Renew your faith, in yourself, your fellowman and the world around you
Reclaim your power, you are who you have been looking for, everything you need is within you
Rebuild your body and become the greatest expression of life you can be.
Lauri Hoeg
Lauri Hoeg is Anishnaabe qwe and a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. She has been serving her community for the past six years on band council and holds the culture, language and education portfolios. She obtained a degree in Public Administration and Governance from Ryerson University and is a board executive with the Kinoomaadziwin Education Body who governs the largest education self-government agreement in Canada.
Lauri’s first love is art and anything that inspires her creativity. Her crafting began as a child when her mother taught her traditional beadwork that she continues to enjoy to this day. Lauri also enjoys quilting, jewelry making, ash basket making and moccasin making, and also works with pen and ink and and watercolour. Her first choice of medium is acrylics. She creates florals and Ojibway paintings that are influenced by eastern woodland and west coast First Nation art.
Lauri is a mother of three children and two spoiled dogs. She practices herbalism and forages for wild foods on the east side of Georgina Island where she lives and creates in “Eagles in the East Studio" https://www.facebook.com/LauriHoeg/
Workshop Description:
Native Art ~ A Hands On Workshop
A Native Art hands on workshop, where Laurie will share her gift of art and stories with you. Everyone will go home with a painting that they created during class!
Correne Omland
Correne is a traditional western herbalist, homesteader, blogger and work at home mom. Correne, her husband Paul and her son Ashton live in Woodville, Ontario where they grow most of their own food and medicines on a half acre utilizing permaculture design and techniques. Correne is the owner and operator of Spiraea Herbal Clinic where she works with folks to help them achieve their wellness goals using herbal tinctures and teas, Bach Flower remedies, healthy and nourishing foods and appropriate lifestyle changes. Strongly believing that herbal medicine is a grassroots medicine that all should be able to access, she teaches her community how to use herbs safely and appropriately through hands-on classes and workshops, focusing on basic remedies and ethical and sustainable herbal practices. Correne also enjoys sharing her knowledge with the world via her blog, Spiraea Herbs, where she writes about herbal remedies, natural health and homesteading. http://spiraeaherbs.ca/
Shaw Percussion
Drums are an essential part of teaching people about musicality. The primal sounds of hand drums, like the West African djembe, have helped people throughout the world connect with themselves, their community and relationships. Drumming is great for your health; it feels good for your mind, body, and soul. Drumming is therapy – both art therapy and music therapy have used hand drums to deliver significant health benefits. Shaw Percussion work hard to ensure that groups have the drums and percussion they need to help kids and adults alike get in touch with their rhythm and their community. Shaw Percussion is proud to be a Canadian-based drum company and deliver hand-crafted drums and tuned percussion to customers all over North America.
Workshop Description:
Drumming
Come gather in a circle and learn how to drum!
Red Tent
Come join Dayna and Sasha in the Red Tent.
“Red tent” means many things to many people. It can be a space to honour the menstruation cycle, a gathering place for women, a place to take care, a workshop space. The red tent that we have created here today is a meant to be a supportive space, open to people of all genders and ages. It is a space curated to empower the healing and nurturing qualities of the divine feminine through stories, songs and ceremony. We share our narratives and songs to weave together the threads that connect us, promoting the overall health of our communities. In tending to this sacred space, we encourage everyone joining us to revel in laughter and joy as teachers as much as we hold space for our teachers, sadness or anger. Come sit with Dayna and Sasha, sing, laugh, and listen to our collective stories.
Join us Saturday September 7th, 2019 9am – 9pm
A special thanks to Faunus Herbs
Entertainment
Jessie Zsolt
Jessie Zsolt was inspired to begin fire dancing in 2010. For Jessie, dance has always been a medium for soulful expression and communication with others. Learning how to intimately work with fire guided her in fostering a deep connection with our primal elements. Performance is a space where she invites others to share in this connection.
Dayna Pirso
Dayna Pirso is a musician rooted in folk traditions, history, story and song. As a banjo player and percussionist, she has shared music in houses, bars, folk festivals, and on street corners. She shares music that she has been taught from many people during her experiences hitch hiking across the country and travelling in the United States. Performing old time, ragtime and Americana music on her banjo, Dayna Pirso delivers every song with charm and a genuine respect for the tradition of song.
The Pairs
“Their stage show is packed with exceptional three-part harmonies, with all the beauty and intensity of a pipe organ. The rhythms added by Plimmer expand the songs far beyond the barriers of the folk label. At any point in the show the vibe can transform from Joni Mitchell to full out Destiny’s Child.” - Gerard Creces, London FUSE.
The Pairs are a female fronted folk pop quartet with deep roots in London, ON. Powered by 3 classically trained vocalists and a former punk rock drummer, their unique blend of harmony and rhythm will hug your eardrums and FORCE you to dance. Their storytelling and honest songwriting provides an uplifting audience experience you won't want to miss.
With 3 unique songwriters at the helm, The Pairs are able to create a diverse repertoire using their individual lives as inspiration for their writing. Employing music as a tool for sharing stories of life's challenges, personal growth, hope and hilarity, The Pairs inherently connect with the audience/ community through their emotion full performances.
Eric Mandala
Producer, Composer, Multi-Instrumentalist, Instrument Maker, Visionary, World traveler, Founder of "Mandala World Music" an international ethnic fusion world music group with people from all around the world. Co-Founder of “Spirit Travelers” An Electro/Tribal group He has traveled around the world collaborating with 100's of artists under the name Mandala. His focus is to bring sacred styles of art and instrument together for a new fusion in this multi-cultural world. ERIC MANDALA has played on, produced, and recorded over 15 albums around the world. He has played Festivals around the world in 6 continents: Salvador Brazil Jazz Fest, Burning Man, Oregon Eclipse, Earth Dance , Bhakti, Mystic Island Fest, Mardi Gras, Carnival, Indidjinus Fest, Tribal Vision Fest, Dragonfly Fest, In the Light Fest, NZ Luminate Fest, Australia: Kuranda Roots Fest, Solstice Fest, Canadian Eclipse Fest, Space Gathering Fest, Kaleidoscope Gathering Fest, Wiccan Fest, Naturopolis Fest, Y2K-X Live Looping Fest, The Fringe Festival, The Mad River Fest, Sonic Fest, Japan Tsumugi Fest, Kyoto International Fest, One Earth Fest, Yamauto Fest, 7 Colour Fest, THe Eden Festival , Peace Village Fest, Mataharythm Fest, Moon Circle Fest, Antaru Fest, Rakuon Rakujitsu Fest, United Cultures Fest, Earth Day Fest, Tanabe Connection Fest, Universal Language Fest, Live Life Fest, Tribal Revival Fest, C.K.S. Taiwan Lantern Fest, Dan Shui River Fest, Spring Scream Fest, Riverside Fest, Malioboro fair, Arma Museum, Parihaka Festival, Prana Festival, Shivaratri Fest, Tribal Gathering Panama & Cosmic Convergence Guatemala, Envision Costa Rica to name a few… He has shared the stage with such diverse artists as Shpongle, Ott, Bassnectar, Micheal Franti ,Ganga Giri, Mamady Keita, EOTO, String Cheese Incident, Beats Antique, Desert Dwellers, Adham Shaikh, Shimshai, Rising Appalachia, Chris Berry, Jaya Lakshmi & Ananda, Entheogenic, David Starfire, Random Rab, The Human Experience, Kaminanda, Epizo Bangoura, Fantuzzi, Jah Levi, Dachambo, Delhi2Dublin, Androcell, Wild Marmalade & Richard Perry of Arcade Fire to name a few… When performing he uses live looping & plays over 100 ethnic and modern instruments from around the world with his Electronica Production. He sings in Universal Language mixing ancient tongues and ethnic styles of vocals with modern sound scat poetry. He builds & plays African harps like the Kora & Kamale N’goni.
Julie Ditta
Julie is the proprietor of Whole Soul, a practice dedicated to psychic and spiritual experience. Julie is an intuitive reader and medium, ceremony maker and spiritual healer. Julie is a trained drum circle facilitator, teaches recreational African drumming and is a member of “Dare to Drum” music collective. Julie facilitates a variety of local drum circles as well as the Peterborough Woman’s Circle. She instructs drumming privately and at both the Whitby and Bowmanville senior centres.
Julie teaches classes and workshops on meditation, psychic development, improv, sound therapy and diva dancing.
Julie is a Hawaii Reiki Master, certified in Therapeutic Touch and Relaxation Therapy. She offers intuitive Tea Leaf and Palm readings and receives messages from loved ones who have passed over.
When Julie is not drumming, meditating or facilitating, she can be found at the euchre table! www.wholesoul.ca
Join us Saturday September 7th, 2019 9am – 9pm
A special thanks to Faunus Herbs
We are Grateful to our Wonderful Sponsors
Our sponsors make it possible for us to put on this retreat. Please support the vendors by visiting, purchasing and passing their information along to others.
Platinum Sponsor
Faunus Herbs,
Cannington, ON
Gold Sponsor
The Ginkgo Tree,
Cannington, ON
Silver Sponsor
Chippewas of Georgina
Join us Saturday September 7th, 2019 9am – 9pm
A special thanks to Faunus Herbs
Tickets
Tickets are now on sale for the 2019 Back To Your Roots Herbal Retreat!
Saturday September 7th 2019 ~ 9am – 9pm We accept visa and master card.
All registrations include; attendance to all lectures (including key note speakers), workshops, festivities, 100ml tincture (thank you Faunus Herbs), snacks, light lunch and dinner.
What a great deal!
Early bird registration (till August 7) $99.00
Regular registration (after August 7) $150.00
The Ginkgo Tree Herb Course Students ~ 50% off Registration fee
Ontario Herbalist Association ~ 10% off Registration fee
BTYR Work Study (See Work Study info below) $25.00
Vendors (1 Registration + Vendor space. See Vendor info below) $50.00
Vendors (2 Registrations + Vendor space. See Vendor info below) $90.00
For questions about BTYR Retreat:
Call: Faunus Herbs (800) 667 - 4372 or (705) 437 - 4438
Email: penelopebeaudrow@gmail.com
Join us Saturday September 7th, 2019 9am – 9pm
A special thanks to Faunus Herbs
Cancellation and Withdrawal Policy
Withdrawals
If you need to change plans for any reason prior to August 1st, 2019, your registration fee minus a $50 administration fee is refundable. Refund requests must be in writing and received in our office by this date. Email your refund or transfer request to info@faunusherbs.com or write to Box 249 Cannington, ON L0E 1E0. After August 2nd, 2018, there are no refunds or transfers available.
Cancellation
If, for any reason the event is cancelled, all registered persons shall receive a full refund of all fees paid.
This shall be paid out not more than 30 days after written notification of cancellation.
Join us Saturday September 7th, 2019 9am – 9pm
A special thanks to Faunus Herbs
Location
This year’s Back To Your Roots Retreat will be held at Dogwood and Brambles Farm, a lovely little farmstead near Cannington, Ontario.
GPS code: 44.34132857395804-79.13812543173827
Address: C690 Brock, Concession Road 13, Cannington, ON L0E 1E0
Situated on a 100 acre farm surrounded by nature, hiking/walking trails, Only a small portion of our 100-acre farm is actually “farmed”. While most of our neighbours are clearing every fence row and bush for more workable land, we have taken over 60 acres of workable land and given it back to nature; Trees, shrubs, wildflowers and herbs are all thriving which gives place to the surrounding wildlife. Common sightings of deer, rabbits, coyotes, wild turkeys, hawks, raccoons, and rare sightings of bob cats, bears, and even a cougar! For over 30 years this has been an ideal setting for fostering our love of herbs and plants, creating our own personal sanctuary. We have reintroduced “at risk plants” and welcomed back Mother Nature to stay. We are very proud to be a Botanical Sanctuary Member of United Plant Savers. Since 2009 herbal wisdom has been shared, taught and felt, through The Ginkgo Tree Herbal Course and our annual Back To Your Roots Herbal Retreat.
Places to Stay near venue:
Back To Your Roots is a one day event, with no accommodations or camping at Dogwood & Brambles Farm Venue (The Ginkgo Tree).
If you would like to visit the area, here are some places to stay near venue:
Beaverton (10min)
Grant House B&B 447 705 426 1296 www.granthousebedandbreakfast.com
Pefferlaw (10min)
Pefferlaw Peninsula Resort 705 437 1890 www.peninsularesort.net
Cobble Stones B&B 705 437 2330
Sutton/Jacksons Point (20min)
The Briars Resort and Spa 905 722 3271 www.briars.ca
Ramada Inn 905 722 6232 www.ramadajacksonspoint.com
Sibbald’s Provincial park 905 722 8061 www.ontarioparks.com/park/sibbaldpoint
Sutton Motel on HWY 48, 905 722 5621
Driftwood Motel 905 722 3640 www.driftwood-motel.com
Lindsay (25min)
Admiral inn, Hwy 7. 705 328 1743 www.admiralinn.ca
Knights inn, Hwy 35. 705 324 3213
Days Inn, Angeline St. 705 328 0100
Brechin, Lagoon City (20min)
Knight’s Inn Harbour Resort, Poplar Cres. 800 291 9434
Join us Saturday September 7th, 2019 9am – 9pm
A special thanks to Faunus Herbs
Meals and Snacks
We are happy to say that all the meals and snacks are vegetarian (with a few vegan options) and included in registration fee! We will gather as much fresh produce from local farmers and ingredients will be organic whenever possible. Sui will be preparing our food with much love, we give great thanks to Sui!
Beverages All Day Tea and Coffee
Lunch Will be in a buffet-style of vegetarian fare.
Dinner will again be a buffet-style spread of hearty vegan fare.
Join us Saturday September 7th, 2019 9am – 9pm
A special thanks to Faunus Herbs
Work Study
If you are hardworking, energetic, responsible and enjoy working ‘behind the scenes’, you are invited to join our Back To Your Roots (BTYR) Work Study Team. Become one of our worker bees and help make the retreat hum along smoothly. This is a great opportunity to be of help and service as we work together to create an amazing and rejuvenating retreat for all.
BTYR Work Study Team is responsible for numerous jobs that help make the day run smoothly. Tasks are assigned equally and fairly to all and include:
- Set up and Clean up for the conference (this is a physical work-trade position with some strenuous components)
- Conference Registration and Information Booth
- Vendor Set-up/Clean up
- Decorating and Signage
- Equipment
- Monitoring Workshops and Intensives
- Coffee and Tea Bar
- Lunch and Dinner
- There are sure to be additional tasks that will need immediate attention, so flexibility is greatly appreciated. Most of our tasks are accomplished before and after the conference and still leave time for participating in many of the classes during the conference.
- All Work Study are expected to stay until the end of the retreat, all work is completed, and Debbie Pirso gives permission to leave. This is generally around 9:30 p.m. but can be earlier or later depending on the year.
What we offer our Work Study Team & What is Expected in Return:
In exchange for joining our BTYR Work Study Team, we offer a special registration fee of $25.00, which includes tuition, a simple, light lunch and dinner (Regular ticket price $150.00).
Each Work Study participant must be available Friday afternoon at 11:00 and Saturday 8:00 - 9:30pm and should be prepared to work 5 - 10 hours over the course of the conference. All Work Study participants must be at the farm at 11:00 am on Friday, September 6th, for our orientation meeting and to begin our tasks. Please note: If you’re unable to arrive by 11 am on Friday, unfortunately, you’ll not be able to join our BTYR Work Study Team.
As part of the Work Study Team, you may select in advance, two (2) workshops that you have your heart set on attending. We will do our best to work your weekend responsibilities around one of those classes. There is ample free time to attend additional workshops, too.
Please note: Work Study Registration does not include free intuitive reader, this is for attendees only.
Work Study Meals at the BTYR ~ We are providing all Work Study participants a light, lunch and dinner on Saturday, including all day coffee and tea bar.
Because we depend on our Work Study Team, as a measure of your commitment, we request the Work Study registration fee of $25.00 paid in advance. We are unable to hold your space until your registration and payment is received. Registrations are taken in order of receipt until the 20 Work Study positions are filled.
We look forward to connecting with all of the amazing participants who are considering joining the BTYR Work Study Team and help make Back To Your Roots an especially amazing and rejuvenating retreat.
Register today!
To register by email to our BTYR Work Study Coordinator, Debby at debbypirso@rogers.com ~ Subject line: BTYR Work Study
Required Work Study Registration information:
Name
Address
Email
Phone
Credit Card information
My Heart Is Set On Attending:
Workshop #1
Workshop#2
Join us Saturday September 7th, 2019 9am – 9pm
A special thanks to Faunus Herbs
Vendors
Vending at Back To Your Roots is a great way to introduce your business with a large group of plant loving people. We welcome vendors looking to sell plants, herbs, herbal products, art, jewellery, clothing, and more. Our Vending space fills up fast, so register today!
Prime time to sell is during registration, meal times, in-between workshops, and in the early evening.
In order to be a vendor at Back To Your Roots you must also be a participant.
Please note that the internet is not to be relied up for mobile transaction apps.
Vendors are responsible for the safety of their wares and money.
(includes 1 early bird retreat registration $150.00, meals & snacks, plus 50.00 vendor space fee)
Vendor Registration - 2 person booth space $90.00
(includes 2 early bird retreat registration $198.00, meals & snacks, plus 25.00 vendor space fee)
Vendor Registration does not include free intuitive reader, this is for attendees only.
Vendor Payment
Credit Card ~ Visa or MasterCard accepted
Set Up and Tear Down
Set up: 8:00am - 8:30am
Tear down: 7:00pm
Parking available closest to vendor area for ease of vendor. No cars blocking or stopping in lane.
Register Today!
To register by email to our BTYR Vendor Coordinator, Correne at spiraeaherbs@gmail.com ~ Subject line: BTYR Vendor
Required Vendor Registration information:
Name
Company Name
Address
Email
Phone
Booth Wares
Credit card information
Join us Saturday September 7th, 2019 9am – 9pm
A special thanks to Faunus Herbs
Contact Us
Please feel free to contact us if you have a question or concern.
General inquiries – penelopebeaudrow@gmail.com
Ticket inquiries - Penny penelopebeaudrow@gmail.com
Information on Teaching a workshop, plant walk, etc. - Penny penelopebeaudrow@gmail.com
Information about Sponsorship – Penny penelopebeaudrow@gmail.com
Information on Work Study – Debby - debbypirso@rogers.com
Information on Vendor Booth - Correne - spiraeaherbs@gmail.com
Join us Saturday September 7th, 2019 9am – 9pm
A special thanks to Faunus Herbs
