About Us
Meet Elissa
Elissa is the heart and vision behind Authentically Rooted Wellness, a transformative equine-assisted learning (EAL) practice nestled just outside North Battleford, Saskatchewan. A proud Cree woman with ancestral roots in Piapot First Nation on Treaty 4 Territory, Elissa’s journey reflects a deep commitment to reclaiming her Indigenous identity and culture. Her heritage profoundly informs her approach to creating spaces of healing, connection, and growth.
Drawing from her personal journey and deep connection to nature, Elissa has created a space where individuals and groups can discover growth, resilience, and empowerment through the profound bond between humans and horses. With a diverse professional background in youth care, finance, and entrepreneurship, Elissa has dedicated her career to supporting vulnerable populations and fostering personal development. Her lived experience as a survivor of intergenerational trauma drives her mission to create a safe, inclusive space for healing and self-discovery.
A lifelong learner, Elissa has been certified by Cartier Farms as an Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator and is currently completing her Clinical Counselling Certification, further strengthening her ability to guide others on their path to wellness. Through innovative EAL programming, she empowers participants to overcome challenges, build life skills, and reconnect with their inner strength. Whether working with youth, families, or teams, Elissa’s compassionate approach encourages a deeper understanding of oneself and the world around them.
Under Elissa’s leadership, Authentically Rooted Wellness is more than a business—it’s a haven where people are seen, supported, and inspired to grow. Guided by the belief that healing happens in connection, not isolation, she is honored to walk alongside her clients as they embrace their journey toward balance and wholeness.
Certified EAL Facilitator, Horse Medicine Equine Assisted Wellness
About Authentically Rooted Wellness
At its core, Authentically Rooted means embracing the entirety of your journey – acknowledging the roots of your challenges, celebrating the growth they inspire, and finding strength in owning your truth. It’s about uncovering the origins of your struggles and honoring the value and resilience they bring, without shame or judgment.
True healing begins with radical acceptance—an honest, compassionate acknowledgment of who you are at your core. Here, we cultivate an environment where you can explore, accept, and thrive—empowering you to turn your challenges into a foundation for growth, and your authenticity into your greatest strength.
Mission & Vision
Our mission at Authentically Rooted Wellness is to foster holistic healing and personal growth through Equine Assisted Learning, empowering individuals to develop essential life skills and reconnect with their cultural roots in a supportive and transformative environment.
Our vision is to be a leading resource for Equine Assisted Learning in the Battleford region, recognized for our commitment to holistic and culturally integrated therapeutic practices, and to expand our reach to support diverse communities in their journey towards healing and personal development.
Values
Promoting mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing through the bond with horses, and encouraging ongoing personal and collective development.
Honoring Indigenous heritage and staying true to the company’s mission while fostering deep cultural connections.
Guiding individuals to discover their inner strength and overcome challenges through equine experiences.
Building meaningful relationships with horses and strengthening ties within the Battleford community.
Approaching each individual with empathy and valuing the dignity of every person and horse involved.
Maintaining honesty and transparency while providing a safe and nurturing space for healing.
Continuously adapting programs to meet evolving needs and ensuring responsible practices for the wellbeing of the horses and environment.The organization strives to maintain an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive.
Values
The Space
What is equine assisted learning (EAL)?
Equine-Assisted Learning is a powerful, professional and effective approach, proven to have a positive impact on individuals of all ages. How? By including horses in specially-designed experiential learning exercises, equine-assisted facilitators are able to observe non-verbal communication of the horses and be a translator as well as a guide to encourage the participant to attain the outcome of each exercise. This hands on approach to learning has proven to greatly multiply the participants retention and understanding of skills learned. Horses, as prey animals, are highly intuitive and can sense and react to the slightest changes in their environment. Their ability to detect human emotions, intentions, and behaviors makes them effective co-facilitators in healing and learning.
Horses can help individuals:
- Understand boundaries & leadership dynamics
- Develop self-awareness by responding to non-verbal communication
- Improve mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being through connection and interaction.
In EAL, horses naturally challenge participants to reflect and adjust their behavior, making the experience transformative for personal growth. Each session is client-centered and customized, using horses as facilitators to support participants on their journey. EAL is completed unmounted, with no riding involved.
Cartier Farms
Assistant Program Director, Cartier Farms
