About This Event: Expansion Seminar - Indigenous Wisdom & Ancestral Connection
The Flying Sage and the Psychedelic Association of Canada are honored to present the latest installment of the Expansion Seminar series, where we explore expansive ideas that deepen our understanding of self, community, and the world. This month, we’ll be diving into the profound teachings of Indigenous wisdom and ancestral connection, featuring a panel of speakers who integrate their own ancestral and Indigenous knowledge into their work.
Together we’ll be exploring,
How can we engage with Indigenous healing traditions in a way that is ethical, respectful, and rooted in reciprocity?
What can we learn from Indigenous perspectives on nature as a living guide and source of wisdom?
How can ancestral ceremonies and rituals support personal and collective transformation in today’s world?
What does it mean to decolonize spirituality and ensure cultural integrity in modern wellness practices?
How can we, as individuals and as a collective, take meaningful action to protect Indigenous lands, sacred medicines, and the communities who steward them?
These are just a few of the types of questions we will be discussing during this event.
Join us for an evening of meaningful dialogue, shared stories, and deep exploration into the power of ancestral knowledge, cultural wisdom, and the ways they can guide us in our modern lives.
This event will be hosted at the beautiful Nemesis Coffee and ticket purchases include free coffee. We will also be doing a special prize giveaway for those in attendance.
Come prepared to have your perceptions ignited and expanded as we explore this exciting and rapidly-evolving field. Register now to secure your spot at the forefront of the psychedelics revolution and please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you might have.
Schedule:
6:30 - 7:00 - Social & Mingle
7:00 - 8:00 - Panel Discussion
8:00-8:30pm - Q/A Period
8:30-9:30 - Social & Mingle
About Our Panelists:
Paola Noriega:
Indigenous Medicine Woman
Pao Noriega is an Indigenous Andean Medicine Woman, Indigenous activist, and advocate, deeply rooted in the sacred wisdom of her Quechua, Aymara, and Amazonian ancestors. Initiated into the Apaza Machacca lineage of the Q’ero Nation, she carries the name Ñusta Paqo Pampamesayoc, embodying her sacred role as a guardian of ancestral earth-based ceremonies and teachings.
Living in Vancouver, Pao honours the unceded ancestral traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples through her dedication to healing and Earth-based ceremonial work. She weaves ancient Andean wisdom with modern practices, integrating neuroscience concepts and trauma-informed approaches into her sacred offerings. Through transformative ceremonies, rituals, and teachings, she guides others to reconnect with their roots, reclaim their inner power, and embody a life of balance, gratitude, and reciprocity.
Her own healing journey—overcoming a diagnosis that deeply challenged her body and spirit—led her back to the wisdom of her lineage, where she rediscovered wholeness through sacred Earth-based practices. Today, she creates spaces where others can break free from survival mode and awaken to a purposeful, fulfilling life rooted in harmony with Pachamama (Mother Earth).
Pao’s work is a living embodiment of the Andean principle of Ayni, or sacred reciprocity—a call to remember our collective responsibility to the Earth and honour the wisdom that lives within us. Through her ceremonies and teachings, she offers a pathway to healing, transformation, and reconnection
Sarah-Anne Tourond:
Artist, Author, Indigenous Advocate
Sarah-Anne Tourond is an Anishinaabe and Red River Métis woman claimed by Gambler First Nation in Treaty 4. She is an award-nominated children’s author and illustrator, public speaker, and wellness facilitator.
Though she wears many hats, her mission remains the same: to teach people how to care for their whole selves—body, mind, emotions, and spirit—so that we may better care for one another and the Earth. Through her work within Indigenous communities, she channels grief into a movement of self-worth, community care, and progressive change grounded in Indigenous teachings.
Sarah-Anne strives to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, helping colonial society remember that we are not separate from the land—we are the land. Her holistic wellness approach incorporates yoga, meditation, and ancestral Indigenous practices to help others access the medicine they carry within themselves.
Cheryl Matthew, PhD:
CEO, QHealing & QRetreats
Cheryl of the Secwepemc Nation is a certified Psychedelic Assisted Therapy (PAT) Facilitator (ATMA), Lightworker, Chaplain, Leadership Coach, Professor, and Reiki Level II Practitioner. She has been working leading Indigenization and Decolonization work with the federal government, universities and land stewardship in Indigenous communities for over 30 years. She has a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from Carleton University, MA Leadership & Training (Royal Roads), and BA in Anthropology/Sociology (SFU). She started in the sweatlodge at 15, has been doing meditation, breathwork, yoga and manifesting for 30 years, and has been working in her maternal family lineage as a Lightworker since 1990. She works locally around Vancouver hosting Heart Opening Medicine Wheel Psilocybin Ceremonies and started learning about and using plant based medicine for healing since 2000. As a family with Elder Oliver and Elder Geri they also host weekend retreats on Secwepemc land at Sky Blue Resort for rustic camping and wellness on the beautiful Shuswap Lake.
Alejandro Giraldo
Lawyer, Sustainability and Climate Change Specialist
Alejandro Giraldo is a wisdom keeper, sacred traditions advocate, and practitioner dedicated to environmental and social justice, Indigenous rights, indigenous wisdom preservation, and ancestral ways of living in harmony with nature. With a background in environmental law, environmental stewardship, and climate action, he has worked globally on sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and Indigenous advocacy, bridging modern frameworks with ancestral wisdom.
Alejandro believes Indigenous peoples hold invaluable teachings on reciprocity, respect, community living, and living in harmony with the Mother Earth. He has learnt from the traditions of his home country, the indigenous people, from communities like the Kamentsa, and the Murui, deepening his commitment to protecting Indigenous ways of life, traditions and the ecosystems they steward.
As a medicine man, trauma-informed life coach, and breathwork facilitator, he integrates somatic practices with ancestral teachings, recognizing that personal, collective, and ecological healing are interconnected. His work creates spaces to honor Indigenous voices, reconnect with nature and the territory, and foster reconciliation and regenerative practices.
Godwyn Young
Circle Keeper, Spiritual Guide, Educator.
Godwyn, a proud West Indian and Métis Cree man from Winnipeg, Manitoba, carries with him a deep and reverent connection to his heritage, his ancestors, and the land that sustains him. As a Circle Keeper, he serves as a spiritual guide and protector of Indigenous ceremonies, holding space for sacred teachings and the healing power of traditional practices. His life is rooted in the wisdom passed down to him by his grandmother and the teachings of his Métis lineage, which have shaped his understanding of the world and his role within it. With a profound respect for Mother Earth, he lives his life in harmony with the land, deeply honoring the cycles of nature and the interconnectedness of all living beings.
A father, pappy, husband, and son, he holds family at the center of his heart. The teachings of love, respect, and care for those closest to him are fundamental in his journey. His role as a Circle Keeper is not only a spiritual calling but a responsibility to ensure that the next generation inherits the knowledge and strength to continue the cultural and spiritual practices that have sustained his people for generations.
Through his work and daily life, Godwyn embodies the values of Indigenous stewardship, resilience, and the powerful legacy of both his Métis and West Indian roots. He is a living testament to the strength and wisdom of his ancestors, and through his dedication, he helps to preserve the sacred teachings that have been entrusted to him.
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About the pac
The Psychedelic Association of Canada grew from a diverse group of individuals all wanting to do their part to usher psychedelics into the mainstream in a conscious and considered way. Our founding team includes people who have been active in Canada’s vibrant psychedelic community for decades, as well as medical and therapeutic professionals who are newer to the scene, but through their own experiences and research are waking up to the value of these powerful modalities.
Register
This event is open to the public and tickets are $35.00. If you are a Mushroom Tier member or PAC Member, tickets are 20% off. If you are a Sage or Wizard Member, tickets are FREE. Tickets can be found here. Please note that we do have limited spots so make sure to get your tickets fast.
If you are not a member yet with The Flying Sage and would like to get discounted or free access to our events, plus many other benefits, you can learn more about our membership here.
If you are a member of PAC, please use the code pac at checkout.