Health enthusiasts in Thompson are beginning to congregate through the services of Matisiwin Hearth, which operates a variety of long-distance excursions via hike, bike, canoe and kayak.
Matisiwin Hearth founder Linda Toews describes the organization as her "lifelong dream," and adds that she hopes to soon have an isolated retreat centre - "I've been working at building a place outside of town for four years," she said. "I'm wanting a beautiful lakefront." Toews envisions a facility where the focus is on healthy and active living, whether interested customers show up for one class or to stay for a week.
Until that building becomes a reality, though, Matisiwin Hearth, and Toews herself, are far from sitting idle. Recent activities have included Civic Holiday weekend bike trip to Lynn Lake, day trips to Owl Lake, and a one-mile hike followed by whittling walking sticks out of diamond willow.
Toews notes that she often comes across "people who are a little hesitant," but that many of these people are able to amaze even themselves with their performance. "One woman," she recollects, "she didn't even know if she could do 50 kilometres a day, and her first day she did over 100!"
Food is provided on these trips, though Toews admits that her "mostly vegan menu" has surprised unknowing customers from time to time. "People who know me would expect that," she says, "but for people who don't, it's a bit of a surprise." The "people who don't" contingent is growing with every event Matisiwin Hearth puts together, as word continues to spread beyond the initial word-of-mouth client base to Thompson's population at large.
Even as the weather gets colder, Toews' enthusiasm for the outdoors doesn't dampen. "Fall's a nice time to bike or canoe," she says when asked about Matisiwin Hearth's plans for the rest of the year. Winter brings with it ample opportunity for activities like snowshoeing, while Toews also offers yoga and massage services year-round in Thompson, including a workshop to teach couples how to massage each other.
Toews explains that she came up with the name Matisiwin Hearth from the Cree word Matisiwin, which roughly means "life energy", and hearth, which she likes as it is a combination of "heart" and "earth".
