HEALING AND RECONCILIATION FOR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES
Learning and Healing with Ojibwe Spirit Horses (2023 and 2024)
Mādahòkì Farm in Ottawa’s Green Belt is Canada’s only Indigenous agri-tourism destination and working farm. It is dedicated to preserving Indigenous culture and heritage through projects, training programs, and cultural events.

Mādahòkì Farm, located in Ottawa’s Green Belt, is Canada’s only Indigenous Agri-Tourism destination and working farm.
With a mission to preserve Indigenous culture and heritage, the farm offers projects, training programs and cultural events that connect visitors to the land and Indigenous traditions. In 2023, the farm launched an innovative program that has become a source of healing and growth for Indigenous youth and families: Mishdatim.
Named after the Ojibwe word for horse, Mishdatim is an Indigenized version of Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) that promotes healing through interactions with Ojibwe Spirit Horses – Canada’s only Indigenous horse breed. The program provides a unique opportunity for Indigenous youth and families to build confidence, communication and patience while connecting with the horses.
Thanks to initial funding from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF), Mādahòkì Farm was able to get the Mishdatim program off the ground. The support covered essential costs, such as care and feed for the horses, program supplies and salaries for workers and hosts. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting a tremendous need in the community for continued access to this type of healing and growth.
In 2024, with renewed support from the IRF, Mādahòkì Farm is set to launch its second full year of Mishdatim programming, including the addition of a social worker to provide support for participants in need. The farm has been approached by the Indigenous Alternative High School, the Ottawa Catholic School Board and the 60s Scoop Survivors Network to keep the program going and is working with a charitable partner to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous homeless and at-risk youth together for the experience.
Thanks to Mishdatim, Mādahòkì Farm is not only supporting Indigenous youth but also educating the broader community about the importance of Indigenous culture. By welcoming Canadian and international visitors to learn about the farm’s work, Mādahòkì Farm fosters understanding and creates a pathway toward reconciliation.
Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall
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