STM formally inaugurated an endowed Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation on May 17, 2016, with a ceremony held at the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre.

On October 4, 2025 at the Annual Fall Gathering, STM announced that the religious congregation Les Filles de la Providence gave a gift of $5 million to the Providence kanaweyihtâkosowin: Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation and Engaged Learning.  STM is profoundly grateful to Les Filles de la Providence (FDLP). Over 95% of the funds STM received toward the Indigenous Chair were given by religious congregations of women and men, including: 

• the Congregation of St. Basil or Basilians Fathers, who founded this college; 
• the Ursuline Sisters of Prelate, and 
• the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambéry. 

We thank Deacon Harry Lafond, STM’s Scholar on Indigenous Education, for his stewardship of protocols and for seeking inspiration in a good way for a new name for the Chair, through ceremony. Kanaweyihtâkosowin translates as The Divine Care of God or Providence.

This transformational $5 million donation from the FDLP Sisters will allow STM to hire its first Providence kanaweyihtâkosowin Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation, a dynamic scholar who will conduct research and teaching activities to advance a cross-disciplinary and multi-cultural study of Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, and being.  The Chair’s activities will align with the FDLP’s respect for Indigenous peoples and their education, establishing STM as a leader within Canada for Indigenous spirituality and reconciliation, making a significant contribution on the journey towards right relationships. The Chair is to be a source of intellectual leadership both inside and outside the academy.

The work of the Chair is guided by the Advisory Circle for the Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation. The Advisory Circle members currently include:

  • Jennifer Briere, STM Faculty Member, Duck Lake, Métis Nation Saskatchewan
  • Harry Lafond, Muskeg Lake First Nation; STM Scholar on Indigenous Education
  • Gordon Martell, Waterhen Lake First Nation, USask College of Education Faculty Member
  • Gertrude Rompré, STM Director of Mission and Ministry
  • Rhonda Smallchild, Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation Director of Education
  • Carl Still, STM President
  • Senos Timon, The People Bridge Advocacy, Saskatoon
  • Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth, Associate Director of Education, Prince Albert Grand Council

Currently, the Chair sponsors various activities such as hosting ceremonies; awarding a teaching fellowship to an Indigenous graduate student; enabling the regular presence of an Elder at STM; inviting guest lecturers; organizing conferences; supporting curriculum development; or, enabling a part-time Indigenous faculty appointment. All activities are focused on Indigenous spirituality and reconciliation through the study of one or more of history, culture, traditions, language, and understandings of formal or informal religious and/or spiritual practices.

For many Cree people, oskâpêwis refers to an Elder’s helper or servant, one who brokers relationships; the Chair is to be oskâpêwis between Indigenous traditions and the academic community.

Please take a look at the Case for Support for the Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation at STM. Please contact Connie Andersen, Director of Advancement, for more information on how you can support this important initiative.

 

 

To contribute toward the funding of the Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation, please contact:

Connie Andersen
Director of Advancement
candersen@stmcollege.ca 
306-966-8203