Be part of my local Indigenous community and care for my cat in Westbank, Canada

Infos

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  Description

  I am a Canadian Indigenous Elder from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. I am a trauma counsellor and run a small private practice from my home in Westbank, BC.
  
  I live about a five-minute walk from Okanagan Lake. In the spring and summer many people come to this area as it is a popular vacation destination.
  
  I have knowledge of various plant medicines and enjoy creating salves and teas that support holistic healing. I attend sweat lodge ceremonies and once a year I return to my home community on Vancouver Island to attend potlatch ceremonies. I love gardening and doing Indigenous crafts, and I am happy to share any knowledge and skills I have gathered over my lifetime.
  
  I own my mobile home in a quiet mobile home park. Over the past two years I have renovated the kitchen, bathroom, and much of the living space. I have also done quite a bit of landscaping, mostly on my own. I do live with a few minor physical disabilities, which means some of my goals for my house and yard take a bit longer to accomplish than I would like.
  
  I enjoy growing my own vegetables, herbs, and berries. I dry, can, and freeze my homegrown produce as well as seasonal plants that grow in this area.
  
  I have two grandchildren who are 2 and 5 years old, and a cat who is just turning one year old. My grandchildren occasionally stay with me, but they live only a four-minute drive away, so when I babysit it is usually at their home.
  
  Inside the mobile home there are two bedrooms. I also have a large addition that includes a porch, pantry area, and a spare room off the sundeck.
  
  Occasionally I visit my husband, who lives about a three-hour drive from me, and I also love going camping during the summer. I have a spare fridge in the pantry that can be used in the summer when garden produce is abundant.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général

  Aide informatique/internet

  Garde de maison et d'animaux
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Culture

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Films et télé

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Musique

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Jardinage

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Nature

  

  Camping

  

  Danse

  

  Plage

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Cyclisme
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Cultural Exchange and Learning Opportunities
  
  There are many opportunities in this area to experience local culture and community events.
  
  A sweat lodge ceremony is held on Sundays once per month. The local Indigenous community, Westbank First Nation, also hosts Pow Wow and traditional cultural gatherings during the spring, summer, and fall that community members are welcome to attend.
  
  Westbank First Nation offers free yoga and weekly workshops that include activities such as beading and land-based learning, including foraging. I can keep you updated with their weekly calendar of events. The local Friendship Centre and Band office also host regular drumming and singing gatherings.
  
  During the summer there are many free “music in the park” events in Westbank, Kelowna, and the surrounding areas. There are also many wineries nearby along Boucherie Road, and wine tours are a popular activity in the region.
  
  There are many beaches and outdoor spaces nearby to enjoy the sunshine and relax during the summer months. While I occasionally attend some of these events, Workaway guests would be responsible for attending activities on their own.
  
  I have two bicycles available, and the walking and cycling paths are only a two-minute walk from my home. There is also a nearby mountain with an excellent hiking trail called Mount Boucherie.
  
  I also have a tent and camping equipment that can be used if you would like to go camping during your free time.
  
  As a trained Somatic Experiencing counsellor, I would also be open to offering one evening per week to share knowledge about trauma therapy from a land-based Indigenous perspective. I can teach some basic techniques for understanding and regulating the nervous system.

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  Aide

  I need you to do the outside work on the days I am doing my Therapy sessions ( 2 days per week) I could use help with inside duties on the other 3 days I am not working with clients but I will be in and out driving grandchildren to daycare and possibly staying at there home a few minutes away on days there parents work. These days vary and it could be on weekends I am not always home during the night. I also go visit my husband on some weekends and therefore I would need pet sitting of a cat. So just giving the cat food and fresh water and cleaning out litter daily. This only takes 10 minutes out of the day.
  Inside work may include: painting trim on doors and walls, light house work, organizing kitchen cupboards and pantry and some meal prep. I could use some help with my computer such as cleaning up files etc. I plan on taking out the flooring in my porch area and replacing it. I can hire someone who knows how to replace the flooring but it you have experience that is a bonus. I need help with spring cleaning such as windows and siding.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant

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  Hébergement

  Accommodation and Food
  
  I offer a private room located off the sundeck that has a comfortable queen mattress. I have one bathroom in the home with a shower, tub, sink, and toilet, which has been recently updated. The bathroom and kitchen will be shared.
  
  During the hot summer months I have two freestanding air conditioners to help keep the home comfortable. The outside deck is also a nice space where you are welcome to relax and enjoy your own quiet time.
  
  I will provide food for three healthy meals per day as well as snacks.
  
  Breakfast (self-serve) may include choices such as eggs, oatmeal, cereal, fruit, yogurt, and occasionally bacon.
  
  Lunch (self-serve) may include options such as raw vegetables with dip, sandwiches, or soup.
  
  Dinner will usually be prepared by the host or shared cooking together. Meal options may include pasta, rice, potatoes, pho soup, hamburgers and fries, baked salmon, BBQ chicken, vegetables, and salad.
  
  Breakfast and lunch are self-serve so helpers can eat when it works best for them, and dinner is usually shared in the evening. I appreciate helpers who are mindful of food and clean up afterwards.

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  Autres infos...

  What I Expect From Helpers
  
  I appreciate helpers who are respectful, responsible, and comfortable working independently. Since I run a counselling practice from my home, it is very important that the environment remains quiet, calm, and respectful during my therapy sessions.
  
  I ask that helpers be self-motivated with outdoor tasks such as gardening, weeding, and harvesting, especially on the days I am working with clients. On indoor help days, we can organize tasks together depending on what projects are happening around the home.
  
  I value open communication, kindness, and a willingness to learn. I enjoy hosting people who appreciate nature, gardening, simple living, and cultural exchange.
  
  Because I sometimes visit my husband or spend time with my grandchildren, there may be times when you are on your own in the home. During those times I expect helpers to respect the space, keep things tidy, and care for my cat if needed.
  
  This is a peaceful home and neighbourhood, so I ask that helpers respect quiet hours and maintain a calm and considerate environment. My home is best suited for someone who enjoys a peaceful lifestyle, nature, and being comfortable spending some time independently.
  Length of Stay
  
  My preference is for a minimum stay of about 1–2 weeks so we both have time to settle into a comfortable rhythm with the home, garden, and daily routines.
  
  
  If you are interested in staying here, please send a message introducing yourself and sharing a little about your experience with gardening, outdoor work, or home projects. It would also be nice to hear what interests you about staying in this area and what you hope to learn from the experience.
  
  Because I run a counselling practice from home, I appreciate thoughtful messages so I can be sure it will be a good fit for both of us.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Un

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  Mes animaux

  

  Pumkin (11 mois)

  Multi coloured house cat

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