Reflecting on the COPEH Canada Field School: A Journey into Place, Knowledge, and Healing

Each summer, UNBC offers the Field School in Human Ecology in collaboration with the Canadian Community of Practice in Ecosystem Approaches to Health (CoPEH-Canada). This unique interdisciplinary experience brings together students, professors, and community members who are passionate about exploring the deep connections between health, ecosystems, and social equity. CoPEH is rooted in the belief that learning should happen in place, with the land and local people as central teachers.

This year’s field school, held from May 8th to 10th, invited graduate students to immerse themselves in the powerful landscapes and stories of Witsuwit'en Territory, hosted at the beautiful Banner Mountain Lodge, just outside of Smithers, BC. on Cas Yikh, Grizzly Bear House Territory. These are the ancestral Witsuwit'en territories of Sandra Harris, a CoPEH instructor and member of the LEAPH Lab, whose warm presence and deep local knowledge guided much of our journey.

From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with care and generosity. Nestled among the trees and mountains, the lodge offered a calming retreat and a deep sense of connection to the land. We were nourished—both physically and spiritually—by the delicious home-cooked meals prepared by a local Elder, including salmon soup and moose meat for those tasting it for the first time. The presence of two friendly lodge dogs made the experience even more memorable.

Learning from the Land and Its People

Our first full day began with insights into a local housing project, offering a glimpse into community-driven efforts to build with sustainability and cultural relevance. Later, we ventured up a backroad to a lookout point with sweeping views of the valley below—an awe-inspiring setting to deepen our understanding of place.

Our guides, Sandra Harris and David, a Resource Specialist, Laksilyu members and members of the Witset First Nation, shared teachings rooted in their cultural relationships to the land. We participated in a tobacco and charcoal ceremony, grounding ourselves in gratitude and respect. We were also joined by Tannis Reynolds from Stellat’en Territory, another CoPEH teacher, who expanded our perspectives on place-based wellness and Indigenous knowledge systems. The day ended around an art exercise, tea, and quiet reflection, an invitation to integrate what we had experienced.

Plant Medicine, Storytelling, and Honouring

On our second day, we had the honour of learning from Lorraine, a Laksamisyu Clan healer from Witset First Nation, who introduced us to traditional medicinal plants like pine, tobacco, and juniper. Her teachings were interwoven with powerful personal stories about the legacy of residential schools and the path of healing. It was a moving reminder of the resilience and wisdom held within Indigenous communities.

Before concluding our trip, we visited a commemorative mural in downtown Smithers, a beautiful and sobering tribute to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG2++). It was a powerful visual reminder of the importance of justice, remembrance, and allyship in this work.

A Course Like No Other

This field school is more than a class—it’s an invitation to transform how we learn, how we engage with community, and how we see our roles in fostering health and justice in social-ecological systems.

As graduate students who has had the privilege of participating, we wholeheartedly encourage others to enroll in the COPEH Canada course. If you are passionate about the intersection of environment, health, culture, and community, this experience will challenge and inspire you in ways you won’t forget.

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