Muskox Circles
Our circles are an opportunity to connect over common ground and share how we continue moving forward.
Community Support Through Shared Experience
Mountain Muskox Circles are monthly, peer-supported gatherings that offer a space to connect with others navigating the impacts of trauma or loss in mountain communities.
Whether the reason that brings you here is recent, long ago, an accumulation of events, or the impact of being close to trauma, our circles are here to support you. These gatherings are not a replacement for personal therapy—but a meaningful complement that builds connection and resiliency.
If you’re looking for a place to feel less alone, to understand your experiences more deeply, and to be part of something rooted in hope and belonging—you're in the right place.
Testimonials
“I'm back in the mountains and feeling really good about it. The self-doubt and conflicted emotions are much easier to deal with now and I think the Muskox program is a major reason why. I can't thank you all enough. Even after a week in the backcountry I'm feeling balanced, regulated and I'm enjoying it. Thank you all!"
— Kevin H.
“The Mountain Muskox Mentorship has taught me how to help, and be helped. Our meetings have graced me with much of the best that humans are capable of and I've looked forward to each and every time we've gotten together with excitement and anticipation.”
— Barry
“I found immeasurable comfort in sharing with people who have felt similar depths of lows in dealing with loss. I now know that surviving trauma provides a toolkit that enables one to become a sounding board, a safe space from which others can springboard into a kinder, gentler place of acceptance and understanding. Mountain Muskox is making great strides in creating a model that effectively fills the void between initial one-on-one counseling and thriving as a human!”
— Aline
Ready to Join a Circle?
Our communities are open to anyone impacted by trauma or loss in mountain environments.
thanks to fundraising efforts and generous donations, our professionally facilitated circles are free of charge.
Curious to attend a circle?
While every Chapter has its own unique way of connecting and sharing, the underlying format and structure for Circles is the same. Below you will find the outline of the general structure of our Circles, along with some helpful Q&A.
Time:
Circles are up to 3 hours long. This gives us the time to settle, check in, and connect in a meaningful way. Facilitators will provide a short break partway through the circle.
Group Size and Composition:
The size of each Circle may vary from month to month, and can be anywhere from a small group of 3-5 or a larger group of 5-10, sometimes even more! There are a variety of people who attend from different walks of life, and who may be at different stages of their healing journey.
Facilitators:
All Circles are professionally facilitated by a certified therapist. While this is not group therapy, having a professional facilitate gives circles structure and safety and allows all participants to be present.
Opening Circle:
Circles may start with a land acknowledgment, a grounding exercise, and a review of group norms. Prior to or following this, there will be time set aside for a check-in, which may include member introductions, reflections on the past month or how one may be showing up to circle, and any other information that the individual may want to share.
Psychoeducation:
Typically, there is a unique theme for each circle. This might be a psycho-education piece or some questions or thinking points around experiences people have after trauma and how it relates to their journey. There is often large group discussion as well as opportunities for smaller breakout groups. Often this is where there are rich discussions and nuggets of wisdom from other members of the Circle about shared experiences of trauma, grief, and loss.
Closing Circle:
Circles may close out in various ways, including grounding exercises to return to the outside world, checking out around learnings from the circle, or the state someone might be leaving the circle in.
Questions & Answers:
Are Muskox Circles only for guides or Professionals?
Muskox Circles are for everyone to recreates or enjoys the mountains, rivers and land, , not just guides. Our circles may be comprised of guides, ski patrol, hikers, climbers, skiers, bikers, paddlers, weekend warriors, professional athletes and search and rescue (just to name a few). Everyone is welcome.
Are Muskox Circles only for people who have lost loved ones or personally experienced a tragedy in the mountains?
Loss can mean many things, not only the passing of a loved one. Loss can be seen as a loss of innocence, belonging, trust, and joy from a near miss. Trauma doesn’t have to be an accident; it can also be microtraumas from years of close calls or just time spent in the mountains. People come to circles for all the reasons above, including loss of loved ones, personal experiences in the mountains, and loss of personal joy.
Is the intention of Muskox Circles to get people back into the mountains?
The goal of Muskox is not centred around a return to the mountains or activities that may have been a source of grief, trauma, or loss. It can be a topic of conversation amongst members in terms of the challenges of doing so and the decision whether to return.
Are Muskox Circles sad?
Muskox circles usually involve as much laughter, smiles, and collective sighs as they do tears and sadness. Of course, people’s journeys and experiences are difficult, and everyone respects and honors when emotions surface and people need time to feel them, but there are also many joyful and happy moments when people are able to express growth in their journey.
Do I have to talk about my incident or trauma in Circle?
Circles are centred around emotions, feelings, and thoughts surrounding personal loss, trauma or grief, not the incident or accident itself. You will never be asked to speak about or discuss your personal experiences or why you have joined Circle. Some individuals may freely choose to discuss components of their experience as it relates to them, however, it is always asked that individuals check in with the group prior to sharing to ensure that no one feels uncomfortable or activated by the information that may be shared.
Do Muskox Circles try to analyze accidents or prevent them through learning?
This is not the point of Muskox circles, and the details of personal accidents are not discussed or analyzed. The goal for Circles is to be a source of support for people after an accident, near miss or loss, to relate to others who have also experienced similar challenges.
Can I join to support others?
Of course, you can. If you would like to be part of a compassionate, caring, and supportive community that understands mountain trauma and loss, we would love to see you in the next circle.
Do I need to participate in every circle?
While attending every month is optional, we encourage everyone to come as much as possible. If not for yourself, then for the strength and support of the community. Your presence makes a difference, and by showing up, you contribute to the shared energy and connection the circle builds together.
There is no expectation to actively participate while in Circle, and some individuals may choose to show up as a listener and pass on any or all components of sharing during Circle.
Is Muskox Circle a form of group therapy?
Although Circles are facilitated by a Registered Counsellor, they are not group therapy circles. For this reason, we strongly encourage members to either have access to one-on-one therapy or have prior therapy experience related to the reasons they are seeking support through Mountain Muskox. This ensures that our circles act as a supplemental support system rather than a primary one.