New VisionTV series follows young First Nations doctor as she explores the mysteries of traditional medicine

Long before the birth of modern medicine, ancient peoples around the world drew upon a vast knowledge of the natural world to create their own healing traditions.

Now, a young Canadian doctor is on quest to learn for herself these age-old secrets.

Medicine Woman, a new 13-part factual series premiering on VisionTV in September, follows Dr. Daniele Behn Smith on a journey around the world to meet the shamans, herbalists, mystics and others who preserve the centuries-old traditions and practices of natural healing.

The series airs on Mondays, starting Sept. 3, at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, and repeats on Saturdays, starting Sept. 8, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Medicine Woman was produced for VisionTV by Visionquest Entertainment of Australia and 4 Square Productions of Saskatchewan.

Dr. Behn Smith is a young First Nations woman just starting her career as a rural family physician. Though well versed in the sophisticated techniques of contemporary medicine, she believes that incorporating aspects of traditional healing into her practice will help her to deliver better care – especially to Aboriginal patients.

So begins her voyage of discovery – one that will take her from the fringes of the Arctic Circle to the lush jungles of South America, the rolling green hills of Wales and the arid deserts of southern Africa.

The highlights of the journey include: a visit to Dr. Behn Smith’s ancestral home, the Dene Reservation in Fort Nelson, B.C., guided by her father Richard; an encounter with the Welsh healers and scholars who preserve the knowledge of the medieval Physicians of Myddfai; an initiation into the healing traditions of the San Bushmen, the oldest inhabitants of southern Africa; and a meeting with one of New Zealand’s venerable Maori keepers of sacred knowledge.

Says Dr. Behn Smith: “To provide culturally sensitive care I need to incorporate traditional healing models and practices alongside conventional medicine, so that my people can take pride in their well being because they can take true ownership of it.”

For more information on the series, please visit www.medicinewoman.com.au.

Medicine Woman was created by Norm Wilkinson of Visionquest Entertainment, who co-produced with Gerry Sperling of 4 Square Productions. Joan Jenkinson is the Executive Producer for VisionTV.

The series was directed by award-winning Cree filmmaker Shirley Cheechoo.