Quebec Eastern Townships man opens private forest to others, in spirit of reconciliation

Terry Louckshas spent years roaming the two-and-a-half hectares of land he ownsinStansteadTownship, a sparsely populated communityon the eastern shore of Lake Memphremagog in Quebec's Eastern Townships.

"This forest has always healed me, through the many problems of life that I've encountered over the last 38 years so I'm sure it can heal others," said Loucks.

Loucks is opening up his land to the public, making itthe first property in Quebec to be includedin theNational Healing Forests movement, a country-wideinitiative that stemmed from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Thenetwork of healing forests were imagined as spaces where Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike could reflect andconnect with nature and honour residential school victims and survivors.

When Loucksheard about the movement, it appealed to him immediately.

"An individual, a community or an organization can plant a tree, can have a garden, have a memorial rock or have a forest," said Loucks.

"I just happened to have the forest."

Over the years, he's created eight different theme gardens in his forestthat people can discover.

He's noticed that as people walk through the trails, they aredrawn to different placesfor different reasons.

"Awalk in a forest is experienced very differently by everyone. That's what's fascinating."

Abenaki territory

Loucks asked his friendPaul Conrad Carignan, who is Mtis, for input on the project. Carignanhas spent the last 25 yearslearning more about his Abenaki heritage.

Abenakipeople, including elders from thecommunity ofOdanak, nearDrummondville, have already shown interest and provided input into Loucks's project.

"I've made good friends from this contact here," said Carignan, who is hoping to see families connect with the space.

Access to the property isfree of charge, but Loucks is still looking at the projectlike a business venture, which he hopes to see flourish over the long term.

"This is my own legacy, if you will I did not have any children.I don't want to give [the property]to the government," said Loucks.

Heis looking to set up a fund to make sure the land remains accessible to all once he is gone.

- With files from Spencer Van Dyk