Terrance Bruce, Knowledge Keeper

Terrance was raised in a small community along the shores of Lake Winnipeg. He spent his younger years on the trapline with his father, becoming some of his fondest memories from childhood and helping form a strong work ethic. His father taught him that success requires a lot of hard work and perseverance, values that Terrance passes along to youth he works with today. Terrance spent a lot of time on the land, with its healing properties serving as a strong foundation to help bring him back from some his darkest days of addiction to alcohol during his adolescent and young adult life. 

Terrance has been on his own since he was 12 years old, when he left home to attend school in Winnipeg. He was placed with different families and lived in over twenty homes before he turned 18. He has a genuine way of connecting to youth and using this experience of transient living to support youth who have experienced multiple placement changes and find ways to increase sense of belonging and attachment to others. 

Terrance has been drug and alcohol free for over 20 years and he uses his lived experience to educate young people on intergenerational trauma, harms of addiction and substance use, empowerment of self and living a good life. Guidance from his Elder, getting in touch with his culture through ceremony and the Red Road has contributed to his early recovery and ability to remain sober and change the trajectory of his life.

These experiences have inspired Terrance to help youth discover their identity through culture and connection to the land. He believes in his heart that once one develops a relationship with Mother Earth, they are on our way to holistic healing of mind, body, soul and spirit. In the spirit of kindness and generosity, Terrance desires to share the teachings he received by passing along to others in hopes that the next generation will gain strength to continue to share them with generations to come.

Terrance is a lodge keeper, conducts sweats, pipe carrier, sun dancer and attends various other traditional ceremonies to support collective wellbeing. He conduct ceremonies for various organizations and groups including Elements CTS Ltd. Terrance possesses strong knowledge of the earths medicines and enjoys walking along side youth during harvests to teach on their healing properties and use. He is an avid hunter and fisher and shares with the elders as he was taught to do.

In addition to his role with Elements CTS Ltd., he is a helper, volunteer, successful entrepreneur along with his son and serves as a Knowledge Keeper/Wellness Worker with Evergreen School Division.