About
I was born in Penticton B.C. and raised on an isolated ranch in Southern Saskatchewan. My memories stretch back to before the age of three and are grounded in my connection to the earth and nature. All of the animals and plants gave voice to who I was and who I became. The wisdom and knowing of the ages transferred to me from the very rocks of the tipi rings and the massive buffalo rubbing stones. As the Elders have told me “your knowing comes directly from the star people, to the stone people (the rocks), to you.”
I was blessed to grow up in that isolated place, before rural electrification and school buses and was home schooled until sixth grade. I learned to read at a very early age, so books became my second teachers after the natural world. I sometimes feel like I have lived many lives stretching from days of travel on horseback to spending too many hours waiting for flights at airports. These things have been my greatest gifts and I bring that heartfelt grounded feeling and centeredness to my practice and to my workshops. My life has been varied and I have moved through connections with the so called powerful of our country to those our world considers the opposite, the powerless, the Aboriginal Elders. I know that the world has it the wrong way around, that it is those who appear to be the least that have the most to offer in terms of their teachings. Again I have been most blessed. I’m looking forward to meeting you in the times to come, whether as old friends or friends not yet met as we share our stories and teachings and hold a place of safety and love for one another. Namaste All My Relations Dennis *If you would like to know the longer "back story" Click Here.
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Past Service Roles
My life has been one of service to my community and to individuals. The following are some of my involvements:
- Mayor Town of St. Walburg, Saskatchewan 1983 – 1994 (Ex-Officio member of all committees of council)
- President of a Saskatchewan Political Party and Acting Policy Chair - Member Standing Committee for Policy Development – Major Canadian Political Party - Member of the National Executive - Major Canadian Political Party - Vice-Chair Board of Education, Turtleford School Division - Chair N.W. Community Futures – Federally funded community economic development program - Chair of Community Futures Partners of Saskatchewan (Provincial Association) - Pan Western Association (representing the four western provinces with over 90 points of service) - Co-Chair - Rural Health Coalition - Lakeland Lodge Board 1984-1991- Chair Finance Committee - Chair St. Walburg Medical Clinic Board, 1989 – 1992 - Emergency Measures Organization Coordinator (Local – St Walburg) - Emergency Measures Organization. Mutual Aid Coordinator 1991-1994 (Regional) - Emergency Measures Organization Rescue Squad Chief 1990-1994 (Regional) - Board Member St. Walburg Tourism and Heritage Society - Association of Kinsmen Clubs - Held every Club Office, one term as Deputy Governor on District Executive, two terms as Director of the Kinsmen Foundation The Business World
I have had a variety of experience in the business world. I was in the livestock business for a number of years both as an Auctioneer selling in the highest volume Livestock Market in Western Canada at the time, and as a Livestock Buyer.
I had my own Auction Service and livestock operation, grassing cattle in NW Saskatchewan. And for a number of years I had a leather business where I build beautiful custom saddles and made to measure western boots. |