They came from around the world to learn first hand how First Nation health care in northeastern Ontario works.

During their visit to the Shkagamik- Kwe Health Centre on Applegrove Street Saturday afternoon, the 30 mostly young health-care professionals and students from countries such as India, Australia, South Africa, the Philippines, and Nepal checked out a traditional medicine room where numerous plants such as sage and wild dandelion were stored or being dried for later processing, and were told that the centre uses the best Western health practises in combination with traditional medicines and healers.

In her address, to the group, Angela Recollet, the centre’s executive director, pointed out the four sacred plants — tobacco, sage, sweet grass and cedar — as well as the fact that bear fat is a key ingredient in a lot of Ojibwey medicines.