Saint Paul University receives $800,000 leadership gift to support its new capacity in Counselling and Spirituality by/for Indigenous peoples
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Saint Paul University receives $800,000 leadership gift to support its new capacity in Counselling and Spirituality by/for Indigenous peoples
Ottawa, October 5, 2017 – Saint Paul University (SPU) held a very special celebration to thank and recognize the Sisters of Saint Ann, St. Joseph’s Province, for their leadership gift of $800,000 to establish a new capacity in Counselling and Spirituality by/for Indigenous peoples.
A first for Ontario and Canada, this initiative is being developed in collaboration with First Nations University of Canada, Nipissing University and St. Mark’s College/University of British Columbia. The objective is to train psychotherapists who will benefit from the full clinical rigour of current program offerings, while respecting and incorporating Indigenous cultural knowledge, values and spiritual teachings on a regional scale through community partnerships. Saint Paul University has been training psychotherapists at the masters and doctoral levels for 43 years.
“In light of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples and the report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it is more important than ever that universities engage in dialogue with Indigenous peoples, as we have much to learn and do,” said Dr. Chantal Beauvais, Saint Paul University Rector. “This exceptional gift from the Sisters of Saint Ann, St. Joseph’s Province, will help to establish a new capacity in our initiatives to serve the needs of Indigenous peoples.”
“The Sisters of Saint Ann are especially pleased to support Saint Paul University as it establishes new partnerships with Indigenous organizations in developing healing programs that will benefit their communities,” said Sister Marie Zarowny, Province Co-Leader of The Sisters of Saint-Ann. “We are committed to working towards reconciliation and view this initiative as a step forward on that journey.”
“Saint Paul University’s vision statement, Guiding Transformation Together, is based on our values of being spiritual, human, open and engaged. We believe that the interconnected balance of the mental, physical, spiritual and community aspects of life are important not only for individual well-being, but for achieving a more compassionate and inclusive society,” said Dr. Manal Guirguis-Younger, Dean of the Faculties of Human Sciences and Philosophy.
Saint Paul University (1848) is the founding college of the University of Ottawa, with which it has been federated since 1965. Bilingual and on a human scale, it offers programs in canon law, conflict studies, counselling and psychotherapy, human relations, philosophy, public ethics, social communication, social innovation, and theology.
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Rafaëlle Devine
Communications officer
Recruitment and Communications Services
rdevine@ustpaul.ca
613-222-7345
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