Honouring the Spirit of the Space
Honouring the Spirit of the Space
When I walk through the doors of Dragonfly Counselling and Wellness, I don’t leave my identity at the threshold. I bring all of me into the room: a Mohawk man of the Six Nations of the Grand River, a member of the Turtle Clan, a father, and a student of the MSW Indigenous Field of Study.
My identity is the soil I stand on, and it serves as the compass for how I listen. Rooted in the cultivation of a Good Mind (Kanikonri:io), I am guided by empathy and a commitment to real, relational engagement. To me, healing isn’t a clinical transaction; it is a human connection.
The work begins long before we sit together. It starts with my intentions on the drive in, how I slept the night before, and the quiet moments before I meet you at the door. I take time to center myself, sometimes through a prayer, a smudge, or simply deep breaths, thinking about the you and the gifts you carry.
My medicine is my vulnerability and my authenticity. I believe you can always tell when someone is being disingenuous, and I refuse to offer anything less than my true self. Whether we are discussing challenges, failures, or sparks of hope, I want to disappear into that “flow” of conversation with you, where time vanishes and true healing begins.
The Gift of the “Overflow”
By the end of a day spent walking beside those looking for support, I often find myself overflowing. In the Western world of clinical therapy or social work, we often talk about “vicarious trauma”; or the need to keep our cups full. But I’ve come to see this differently.
To do this work in a Good Way, you need to get splashed by those stories. You need to lean into that energy exchange and try to understand what it’s like to walk in another’s moccasins. You aren’t just giving me information; you are gifting me your vulnerability, and I am deeply grateful for that trust.
Laying the Bundle Down
I don’t “set aside” the stories I hear. I honour them as a sacred bundle. But to remain a clear vessel for the next person, I must also practice the discipline of laying that bundle down at the end of the day.
For me, this is an intentional ceremony of release. It might be through laying down tobacco, the first medicine, at the foot of a tree, placing it in the water, or offering it to the fire. It is my way of passing on the knowledge and experiences shared with me, ensuring that I carry them with respect and a balanced mind, body and spirit.
A Message to Those on the Journey
To those who have sat with me: Nya:weh. Thank you for sharing your space, your energy, and your time. It is a high honour to be invited into your world.
And to those I have yet to meet: I look forward to the day our paths cross. I will meet you with curiosity, humility, and a heart ready to walk beside you.
I’ll see you on the path.
With care, humility and gratitude,
Ryan MacTavish
