WHO WE ARE
Darlene Shura
Darlene has a master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Manitoba. Over the past 30 years, she has been involved in a fulltime clinical practice of individual, marriage, and family therapy as well as group facilitations on topics of stress, anger and cultural diversity.
Her personal journey over her life span has led her to a path of spiritual inquiry from Christianity during her youth, to Anishinaabe Indigenous spirituality during adulthood, and over the past several years, to Tibetan Buddhism. She’s been inspired and intrigued by the profound congruence within the latter two wisdom traditions, and she is committed to the integration of these in her personal and professional life. Her Indigenous spirit’s name is Kinew Atayohkan Ekwe, which means Eagle Spirit Woman. She understands that along with being given this name, comes the responsibility to serve others with love and insight from the Eagle which is known to fly high, when necessary, to provide wisdom and vision for what is needed on this earth. Exposure to Tibetan Buddhism has enhanced her ability to understand the true nature of the human mind which promotes physical and mental health and relief from suffering for herself and others.
Her inspiration for the creation of the Natural Destination came from her clinical experience of bearing witness to the pervasiveness of human suffering and the damaging effects of trauma. Her passion regarding the integration of ancient wisdoms with therapy is what she believes is the most powerful way she can help others to connect to their true nature and heal. This is her understanding of her life’s mission and purpose. the Natural Destination is a manifestation of this.
Rob Shura
Rob brings years of experience as an entrepreneur, management consultant and teacher of business and management studies to the Natural Destination. He has background in both the for-profit and non-profit worlds in finance, marketing, organizational governance, project management and business analysis. For the past twenty years he has been doing contract teaching for colleges and universities within faculties of business and management as well as corporate training. Along with working on various capital projects, Rob has also owned several different businesses including a property development company giving him some background in construction.
Practicing Buddhism for decades, Rob took refuge as a Nyingma practitioner from Dakshong Tulku Rinpoche and was given his Dharma name of Padma Donyo. For many years he struggled mentally and emotionally, culminating in an event that triggered a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder which greatly affected his life. Trying a myriad of pharmaceuticals and western therapies he turned to his Buddhist practices and one day while walking in the woods of the Natural Destination his afflictions finally broke, leaving him free of the flashbacks and anxiety of his PTSD, and releasing the crippling pain of two herniated discs in his back.
Rob has learned the powerful healing qualities of nature and the process of self-realization and wishes to assist others to experience these benefits through the Natural Destination and other vehicles.
WORKING PARTNERS
Mitch Bourbonniere
An educator and community activist, Mitch has long been inspired to help others find their voices. A founding member of the Bear Clan Patrol, he also volunteers with Ogijiita Pimatswin Kinamatwin (OPK), the Mama Bear Clan, Drag the Red and many others community-based endeavours.
Mitch has his Master’s degree in Social Work along with other credentials and is very involved with providing Action Therapy for youth in the community. He also teaches within related University faculties, provides consultations at many different levels and Elder Services for many different organizations.
He is a Pipe Carrier and 25-year Sundancer that has received many awards and recognitions including two Governor General Awards for bravery and meritorious service and the Canadian Humane Association’s Bronze Medal for Bravery for jumping into a Winnipeg river to save a young woman’s life in December 2016. In July 2020 Mitch was honoured with the Order of Manitoba.
www.mitchbourbonniere.com/
Henry McKay
Henry McKay is of the Anishinaabe People and has been involved in indigenous ceremonies for 21 years. His Spirit name in the Ojibwe language is Niibawi Makade Makwa, which translates to Standing Black Bear. Henry realizes that the bear, being one of the 7 sacred teachers, both informs and inspires him as a source of courage, protection and healing medicine for all people. He has a wealth of knowledge concerning sacred ancestral traditions, and has demonstrated skills and abilities in teaching indigenous wisdom with gentle precision.
Henry, like many great spiritual teachers endured much sorrow and suffering throughout his childhood. Despite trauma, colonization and socioeconomic barriers, he found purpose for life by helping others. He is passionate about service and is committed to the pursuit of peace and healing for himself and others.
Henry has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Manitoba and for the past three years has been a provider of “Action Therapy”, a specialized program that focusses chiefly upon youth at risk of addiction, crime, domestic abuse and gang violence. The methods of action therapy involve engaging and teaching youth to discover their interdependent nature with the land, and to gather elements of nature for ceremonial purposes. The program prioritizes the importance of helping and serving the basic needs of people from marginalized communities and promoting love and compassion for all. In addition to this, for the past three years Henry has been providing Indigenous Elder services, including the role of Lodge Keeper, for various groups and organizations.
Henry brings the powerful gift of Sweat Lodge ceremonies to The Natural Destination, and with his spiritual knowledge, others experience a healing connection to themselves and nature.
Inka Antaurko Patsakamaq
Antaurko Patsakamaq is a Mallku Inka (Inka Spiritual Master) and Keeper of the Sacred Inka Solar Codes. He is from the indigenous Quechua community of Chawpin, Peru. Antaurko brings ancient Inka knowledge and practices to today’s world as inner science and technology for healing, transformation and evolution.
In the central highlands of Peru, Antaurko leads Wasi’Kamaq, an Inka Spiritual Knowledge Centre that preserves the Inka culture and transmits the ancestral knowledge for future generations. He leads the Llama Nani, a traditional, mystic llama pilgrimage through the majestic Andes mountains to the ancient ceremonial temple of Chavin de Huantar.
Antaurko is the founder of Inti Muju - Solar Seed of Consciousness, a non-profit organization that creates initiatives to preserve indigenous ancestral wisdom and raise
world consciousness. Inti Muju leads Uniting the Human Family, and Eagle & Condor Prophecy gatherings (Canada), Inti Muju Tinkuy - Gathering of Ancestral Wisdom Keepers from the Four Directions of the World (Peru) and Mensaje de las Naciones Originarias (Messages from the First Nations). Antaurko is a member of the Council of Indigenous Knowledge Keepers of South America and the National Turtle Lodge Council of Elders and Knowledge Keepers of Canada, representing the Condor people of the Southern hemisphere.www.tsakaruna.ca/
