Turtle Medicine Agency
“Guided by the Ancestors to acknowledge the truth and keep moving forward.”
Our Mission and Vision
Statement by the Turtle Medicine Agency Founders:
“For years, we have seen the need for this agency. We share a vision of an organization that fosters healing and empowerment for Indigenous children, youth, families, and communities—and builds reconciliation and allyship with Non-Indigenous peoples. In recent years we developed this vision, drawing on decades of experience in social work, curriculum and cultural education, organizational development, and community advocacy. In Fall 2024, the timing aligned to bring it to life. With a shared commitment to cultural integrity, wholistic healing, and transformative change, we are honored to work alongside Indigenous, Non-Indigenous, and newcomer communities. As founders, we bring passion, lived experience, and professional expertise to help Indigenous communities heal, grow, and thrive.”
TMA’s Core Service Areas include:
Navigation and Advocacy
One-on-one and community-based support to help families move through colonial systems safely, with their dignity, respect and cultural rights intact.
Prevention and Healing
Wholistic, land-based programs that strengthen cultural identity, family and community connection, and cultural continuity across the lifespan.
Education and Allyship
Action-based training for Non-Indigenous partners to embed cultural safety, anti-racism, and reconciliation within organizational policy and practice.
Through innovative programming, credible leadership, and deep community trust, Turtle Medicine Agency offers a clear path toward individual and community healing and reconciliation, where Indigenous ways of knowing and being guide wellness for future generations.
TMA Training and Services
TMA focuses on Indigenous approaches and perspectives, combined with Western research and best practices, to offer the following training, workshops and services described below. All TMA facilitators are trauma-informed, ensuring the cultural safety and respect of Indigenous staff and community members.
Specialized Workshops:
• Healing Camp – 3 to 5 day workshop for children, youth, adults and Elders to come together and heal from grief and loss and explore self-care and healing approaches as well as kindness and compassion. This workshop integrates art therapy, land-based teachings, cultural healing approaches and outdoor nature activities in the Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. A poster for this workshop is provided on this website.
• Guns and Gangs Youth Prevention Workshop - this 2-day workshop focuses on how to prevent youth from joining a gang, alternatives to gang life, and how to assist youth in accessing mental health and wellbeing supports, as well as an art therapy component. A poster for this workshop is provided on this website.
• Training-of-Trainers (TOT) Program: this program is intended to support Indigenous organizations in building the knowledge, skills and capacity to effectively deliver training and facilitate healingworkshops within their communities. The TMA TOT Programconsists of a 8-day series of workshops, including: The history of colonization; The impacts of trauma, intergenerational trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES); Grief and loss; Building relationships and family dynamics; Mental health and wellness; Effective communication; Indigenous resiliency and Trauma Wisdom; How to effectively facilitate in Indigenous Communities; How to engage youth in workshops.
TMA Comprehensive and Customized Curriculum:
The Turtle Medicine Agency offers a comprehensive curriculum which can be customized for the learning needs of staff and community members, or specific training can be developed for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous organizations. The curriculum includes, but is not limited, to:
• How Trauma, Grief & Loss Impact Addictions• Addictions: Types, Effects, Behaviors, Community Safety• Understanding and Managing Emotions, including Anger• Management and Traditional Conflict Management• Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and Management• Online- Shaping Youth-Vulnerabilities, Social Media Knowledge• Bullying and Intimidation• Dealing with Individual and Systemic Racism• Mobile Crisis Unit policy development and training• Building Family Resilience• Resilience and Coping Mechanisms, Cultural Resilience and Community Strengths• Co-Parenting through Separation and Divorce• Traditional Parenting• Supporting Children Through Transitions• Client Centered Practice through the Seven Sacred Teachings
Strategic Service Offerings
• Transition Planning for the implementation of Bill C-92 and the Transfer of Child Welfare Cases
• Policy and Program Development
• Strategic Planning
• Grant Writing and Proposal Development
• Impact Assessments and Transition Planning
• Preparation for Licensing and Accreditation
TMA Reconciliation Service Offerings:
The Turtle Medicine Agency collaborates with Non-Indigenous organizations to advance their Reconciliation goals and become more culturally competent, culturally responsive and culturally safe for Indigenous employees, clients and partners. TMA supports them in advancing their Reconciliation Journey, by providing CulturalWorkshops, facilitation of the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, and access to Elders, Storytellers and Indigenous Role Models. TMA assists Non-Indigenous organizations in developing customized tools such as effective Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Strategies and co-ordination of cultural events, as well as building IndigenousMentorship and Youth Internship Programs. The TMA Reconciliation service offerings are directly in alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action and the Articles in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Contact Us
Have a question or want to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Client Feedback
TMA’s training and workshops provide measurable impacts, including stronger family resilience and cultural continuity for Indigenous communities; improved cultural safety and trauma-informed practice among partner organizations; and tangible contributions to the implementation of both TRC Calls to Action and UNDRIP commitments.
Here’s what some of our clients have said about our training and workshops:
Comments from the Healing Camps:
• Weight feels lifted.• Helped bring up buried grief/loss.• The open talk about grief (many types). I enjoyed the letter writing and paintings. The talks from others grieving and hurt was an awakening of my own grief.• I liked the 7 sacred teachings and self care. It reminded me of how to properly care myself mentally, spiritually and physically.• I would recommend this with families and community because we need this for our people.
Comments from the Community Workshop:
• The sharing and supporting of the facilitator and provided excellent information.• Being able to chat with other people in the same situation.• This training was amazing, I learned that I am doing a lot of things right to build my children’s resiliency!
Comments from the Staff Workshop:
• 100% of participants indicated that they feel more confident about their knowledge and skills after the TMA workshop• 100% of participants indicated that they would recommend a colleague take a TMA workshop, “It’s a good learning experience”• “It was very informative”
Meet Our Team
Colleen Courtoreille, Executive Director
Colleen Courtoreille, Executive Director
TMA’s leadership team brings extensive frontline and governance experience serving Indigenous communities facing homelessness, addictions, and trauma. With deep cultural knowledge and language fluency, we ensure programs remain grounded in Ceremony, protocol, and Indigenous Natural Law while meeting current and evidence-based professional standards of care. Here is some more information about our team:
Colleen Courtoreille, Executive Director
Colleen Courtoreille, Executive Director
Colleen Courtoreille, Executive Director
Colleen brings over 30 years of experience in social work, along with deep cultural knowledge and leadership in Indigenous community development. She has taught at the University of Calgary and Northern Lakes College and served as the CEO of the Nechi Institute and the Executive Director of the Treaty 8 Urban Office. As the primary founder of the Turtle Medicine Agency (TMA), Colleen’s career reflects a strong commitment to Indigenous self-determination, education, and culturally grounded healing.
Elder Rose Wabasca, Board Member
Colleen Courtoreille, Executive Director
Sangeeta Sicking, Director, Curriculum and Organization Development
Kokum Rose is an esteemed Elder with extensive cultural, ceremonial, and traditional knowledge. She brings significant experience in governance and Board leadership, offering wisdom and guidance rooted in Indigenous teachings and community values. Her presence strengthens cultural integrity, accountability, and intergenerational knowledge sharing within the organization.
Sangeeta Sicking, Director, Curriculum and Organization Development
Sangeeta Sicking, Director, Curriculum and Organization Development
Sangeeta Sicking, Director, Curriculum and Organization Development
Sangeeta has over 20 years of experience working with Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island. She brings a strong change management background, along with advanced training and grant writing expertise. Her work supports organizational growth, sustainability, and the effective implementation of community-driven initiatives.Sangeeta is one of the co-founders of the Turtle Medicine Agency.
Himan Asmerom, Director, Finance and Human Resources
Sangeeta Sicking, Director, Curriculum and Organization Development
Himan Asmerom, Director, Finance and Human Resources
Himan brings sound financial oversight, operational experience, and familiarity with newcomer communities, supporting both organizational accountability and inclusive service delivery. She was the Director of Finance with the Nechi Institute and she bringsstrong expertise in grants management, particularly with the Government of Alberta. Himan is one of the co-founders of the Turtle Medicine Agency.
Brandi Upstone, Youth Prevention Lead
Sangeeta Sicking, Director, Curriculum and Organization Development
Himan Asmerom, Director, Finance and Human Resources
Brandi brings deep knowledge and experience in youth prevention and working with youth in crisis. She has advanced facilitation skills and extensive experience supporting community members in healing and wellbeing. Her work emphasizes safety, connection, and strength-based approaches for youth and families. Brandi is one of the co-founders of the Turtle Medicine Agency.
Claudia Upstone, Art Therapy
Claudia Upstone, Art Therapy
Claudia has advanced skills and experience working with children, youth, adults, and Elders, using art as a powerful tool for healing and expression. Her work supports emotional wellness, trauma recovery, and cultural connection through creative, inclusive, and accessible approaches. Claudia is one of the co-founders of the Turtle Medicine Agency.
Peggy Lafleur, Facilitator
Claudia Upstone, Art Therapy
Peggy brings deep knowledge and experience in supporting individuals and communities through grief and loss. Peggy has worked with Indigenous communities throughout Canada, including with the Nechi Institute. As a facilitator, Peggy provides compassionate, culturally grounded support that helps individuals and families navigate healing, remembrance, and resilience.
Lesley Montour, Facilitator
Lesley Montour, Facilitator
Lesley has deep expertise in youth gang prevention and community-based youth work. She brings advanced skills in youth prevention, engagement, and capacity building, supporting communities to strengthen protective factors, foster leadership, and create safer environments for young people.
Workshops
Workshops We Offer
Family Healing Camp
Understanding grief and loss is essential for navigating the journey of healing and wellness. Emphasizing self-care, especially through practices like Turtle Medicine, can significantly aid in this process. Additionally, attending workshops focused on strategic planning for emotional recovery can provide valuable tools for managing grief.
Gang Awareness
Youth prevention and gang awareness initiatives can greatly benefit from addressing themes of grief and loss, which are often prevalent in communities affected by violence. By focusing on healing and wellness, these programs can promote emotional recovery and resilience. Strategic planning is essential to ensure that workshops effectively engage youth, providing them with the tools to understand and utilize Turtle Medicine as a means of personal and community healing.
Contact for more Information and Workshops