Ravenwood, The Healing Forest
Indigenous Widsom, Life Threatening Illness, and Awakening The Heart
Ravenwood: The Healing Forest invites you to discover how nature is our first and wisest teacher. Through photography and open-hearted sharing, Corinna offers passage into the wild, dynamic, natural world where the fullness of life, even in the face of great difficulty is felt. Through ritual, guided practice, and lessons you are invited to enter into reciprocal relationship with nature that is growth stimulating, hope energizing, meaningful, and connecting.
Meet Corinna
The name given to me by my parents is Corinna Michelle Carignan. My married name is Stevenson. My traditional name, given to me by Métis Elder, Bruce Dumont, is Acahk Miskinâhk Iskwêw/Spirit Turtle Woman. I come from a strong line of Métis, First Nations, Irish, Scottish, and French ancestors, who explored and lived in North Central Turtle Island and the historic Métis communities of the Red River Valley, St. Boniface, and the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation. Our Métis family names are Larocque, Caplette, Belisle, Beignet, McMillan, Dease, Turcotte, and Ranger. For over 25 years I have guided people through personal transformation in the wilderness of Vanvoucer Island. As a therapeutic wilderness guide for youth at risk, I have hiked and paddled some of British Columbia's most remote destinations. In 2010, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a terminal plasma cell cancer. No longer able to withstand the rigors of wilderness expeditions, I turned my attention to navigating the wild terrains of the soul. Depsite a prognosis of 1-3 years to live, I have been dancing with life threatening illness for over 13 years. It is my belief that if we are to have a future on this beautiful planet that we need to dissolve the illusion that we are separate from each other and from nature. What Ravenwood has taught me is that when we see and hear the wildness within and around us, we can transform suffering into something life sustaining. Nature's expressions act as guides that expand the field of possibility within and around us. The miracle of finding one's true connection with nature can show is that is is possible to live a good life, a beautiful life, amidst uncertainty, illness, chronic pain, and loss.