Hollyhock Presenters

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Our presenters are curated for their quality, depth, integrity, and alignment with our educational purpose. Since 1982, a distinguished faculty of authors, educators, activists, artists, performers, and practitioners have shared their work at our Cortes Island campus and in Vancouver.

People smiling at Activate 2023 Hollyhock Leadership Institute

Zhiish McKenzie

Dr. Zhiish McKenzie, M.D. (she/her) is a community member of the Teme-Augama Anishnabai, the Deep Water Peoples. Her path integrates clinical medicine with Indigenous ways of knowing and healing. She is also trained as a psychedelic therapist with the Roots To Thrive Program. She feels connected to the spiritual aspect inherent in psychedelic medicine. She trusts that we all have inside of us, the way to heal. Through her presence in this sacred space, she has learned about the importance of intentionally creating safe spaces for others to learn about themselves and practice new ways of being.

Zhiish brings twenty five years of experience as a culturally-centered wilderness guide. She connects with the profound power of land-based traditions. Zhiish is a life-long learner of her traditional Anishnabai ways of healing and ceremonies. She is committed to creating vibrant and safe spaces for BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+ and other marginalized communities. She is an enthusiastic (and amateur) musician, backcountry devotee and parent to two capable, creative and radiant daughters. She loves spending time on her reserve with her family on her traditional territory, N’Daki Menan. Zhiish is well known for being good company to those on deep journeys of healing, learning and transformation.