Created at the Richmond Hill Public Library, with Richmond Hiller, Sarah Schuster.
October 17 to 22, 2025 was Downie Wenjack Fund Secret Path Week.
What is Secret Path Week?
Secret Path Week is a national movement commemorating the legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack. October 17th and 22nd respectively mark the dates that Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack joined the spirit world.
All people in Canada are called to use Secret Path Week to answer Gord Downie’s call to action, to Do Something to move reconciliation forward.
As part of this year's activities their production crew came to Richmond Hill and created four videos on the four sacred medicines.
The videos featured Sarah Schuster. She has Miskwaadesi Studio where she is creating space for learning and listening through free Indigenous art and culture workshops at Richmond Hill Central Library.
These are short videos that say alot.
The first episode of the series explores tobacco, (click HERE) known in Anishinaabemowin as asemaa. Sarah shares the significance of this Sacred Medicine and its deep connection to gratitude and communication with the Creator. Viewers learn about tobacco’s place on the Medicine Wheel and how to prepare a traditional tobacco tie while reflecting on the teachings and responsibilities that come with using asemaa in a respectful way.
This episode explores sweetgrass, (click HERE) known in Anishinaabemowin as wiingashk, a medicine that represents kindness and healing. Sarah shares the traditional method of harvesting and braiding sweetgrass, explaining the cultural and spiritual meaning behind the three strands of the braid and the teachings connected to the number seven. She reflects on the care, patience, and respect involved in preparing this medicine and what it teaches us about balance and connection.
This episode focuses on sage, (Click HERE) or mashkodewashk in Anishinaabemowin, a medicine known for its cleansing and purifying properties. Sarah discusses the different types of sage and which varieties can grow in our region, and offers teachings on how to harvest and bundle the medicine with care. She also speaks to the importance of ethically sourcing sage – and shares what tending to this plant has taught her about humility and renewal.
The final episode explores cedar, (Click HERE) known in Anishinaabemowin as giizhik, a medicine that offers protection and healing. Sarah explains where cedar is placed on the Medicine Wheel and how to harvest and bundle it respectfully. She shares how cedar has been a source of strength in her life, from planting cedar trees to preparing cedar tea, and reminds viewers that the most important teaching connected to this medicine is respect.
