about our homestead
Biidigen! Welcome!
We were guided to name our homestead by an Ojibway word,
akiikaa
which can be interpreted as
“the Earth is abundant and fertile.”,
although it is difficult to directly translate
Indigenous languages into the English language.
This name rings true to us, especially where we live, because we are so provided for and live an abundant and full life.
We are deeply reverent and grateful to inhabit the place in which we live and to have been provided with the inner wisdoms and the gifts to essentially offer, learn, grow, and discuss the medicine of the heart and how that relates to connecting with place, plants, ancestry, and the reciprocity of Life in all forms – human and non-human.
Thanks to the ancestors of this place, the Ktunaxa People, and our own ancestors of Anishinaabe, Metis, British Isle, and European Heritage, we have been blessed to live within a valley in the southeast of so-called British Columbia in the East Kootenays near the community of Yahk.
Prior to renaming the homestead this past year, it was known as Silver Feather Homestead for nearly a decade.
akiikaa homestead
is an off-grid ceremonially and land-based focused farm with a wide range of offerings on the farm, as well as out in the community.
The homestead is home to our small family, David Bailey and Chantal Gagne, and our daughter who was born in January 2025. Together we tend to the land, animals, and Spirit here with devotion, dedication, and love.
Check out our offerings and events calendar to see what we have to share and what upcoming opportunities we have to offer!
who we are
David Bailey
Homesteader, Ceremonialist, Wildcrafter, Medicine Maker, Builder, Medicine Man
Chantal Gagne
BScN, Clinical Herbalist, Wildcrafter and Medicine Maker, Ceremonialist,
Medicine Woman
David Bailey
Homesteader, Ceremonialist, Wildcrafter, Medicine Maker, Builder, Medicine Man
Chantal Gagné
Clinical Herbalist, Wildcrafter and Medicine Maker, Ceremonialist, Medicine Woman, Registered Nurse/BScN, Certified Cannabis Coach
land acknowledgment
Chi Meegwetch for being here with us, for inviting us into this place of privilege and honour through the calling to teach and share, on the unceded Territory of another Nation, the Ktunaxa Nation. The Ktunaxa Nation, who are the original and ongoing stewards and caretakers of this place on the Earth, were gifted to be home to this place and lovingly invited to offer their best efforts in cohabitating and to living in harmony with all living beings around them.
Despite the efforts of colonization, this remains true today and will always remain true. With a Nation, comes a language and culture very unique to where that Nation is from and who their people are - we are truly fortunate to be living here, in our home and sharing the offerings that we do on their land.
This place carries stories from within the full-spectrum of life that embody who the Ktunaxa People are – their language, stories, teachings, medicines, and so forth, are not separate or compartmentalized from one another but are a unique dance that has interwoven the soils we are currently standing on and that will continue to do so beyond measurable time and what is seen in this physical reality.
We offer blessings to the ancestors of this place and to the living members of the Ktunaxa Nation who have welcomed us here and supported us in creating a safe and well home.
Aho!
follow us
@akiikaahomestead
