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

Seed money for the Chair came from a donation from the Basilian Fathers, founders of St. Thomas More College(STM). Fully funding the chair is an ongoing project of the College, but will be accomplished in the future with the generosity of our supporters.

The Chair's purpose is to encourage and foster awareness and appreciation of Indigenous spirituality and reconciliation by facilitating dialogue within the academic community and the broader society, and through exemplary teaching and reputable research. 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 Aboriginal Spirituality and Reconciliation. The Advisory Circle members currently include:

  • Elder A.J. Felix, Sturgeon Lake First Nation
  • Elder Patricia Felix, Sturgeon Lake First Nation
  • Jennifer Briere, STM Faculty Member
  • 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

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 to be 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