A key part of healing in the Indigenous community involves education, according to the creators of a new diploma in Indigenous Spiritual and Pastoral Care offered at The University of Winnipeg’s Faculty of Theology, beginning this Fall, 2011.
Through this program, students will learn about Indigenous history and the barriers to spiritual, mental, and physical health, and will be engaged in a practicum.
Graduates of the Diploma may find work as spiritual care providers in chaplaincy settings such as hospitals and correction centres, or in missions and churches. While the Diploma is open to anyone, the spiritual leadership team is hoping to attract Indigenous students.
“This Diploma represents an opportunity for Indigenous people to heal and offer healing that is holistic, particularly in the aftermath of colonization and the Residential Schools,” said the Rev. Canon Dr. Murray Still.
Still started work on this program over five years ago as Director of Rupert’s Land Wechetowin, a non-profit organization that provides spiritual care on a volunteer basis in the Aboriginal community. Since then, a leadership team comprised of faculty members from Theology, along with church leaders and government representatives, worked together to create the degree program which was passed by The University of Winnipeg Senate in March of this year.
A spiritual leadership team of United Church, Anglican, Roman Catholic and Presbyterian representatives met regularly over the past three years at the Faculty of Theology.
Some bursary assistance is available for students for travel and tuition. For additional information about the Diploma, please contact Professor Chris Wells, Director of Studies. ch.wells@uwinnipeg.ca or call 204. 786.9857.
