Faculty > Profile
Sheila Smith
Assistant Professor
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Profile
Sheila Smith is Assistant Professor of Theology in the area of the Churches and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. She is a practical theologian who studies Christian ethics in the context of Indigenous – Settler relations. Her research on reconciliation and mutuality occurs at the intersection of settler colonialism and Christian ethics. Sheila grounds her life work in commitments to decolonization and relationships with Indigenous peoples, especially the Grandmothers Council, Nookimisuk Kii Ga Do Waak, in Ontario. She is a member of the international Society of the Sacred Heart, a women’s religious congregation in the Roman Catholic tradition.
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THO 4132 - The Church and Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous and non-Indigenous theological and pastoral voices. History of and process of reconciliation, theological and pastoral questions related to Indigenous Peoples, and current debates. The Indigenous resurgence and its implications for the churches and theology.
Ph.D. (Christian Ethics), Saint Paul University, 2016
MA Theology (Christian Ethics), Saint Paul University, 2009
BA Theology, Saint Paul University, 1999
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Resurgent Foundation(s) within Settler Colonial Walls? Indigenous-Led Inquiry of Mandatory Indigenous Courses
Contributing member to “Resurgent Foundation(s) within Settler Colonial Walls? Indigenous-Led Inquiry of Mandatory Indigenous Courses”. The purpose of the study is to understand how mandatory First Nations, Métis, and Inuit courses are achieving racial equity or movement towards achieving Indigenous-centered decolonial solidarity movements. The goal of the project is to bring together select educators and students in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit courses spanning a variety of faculties (teacher education, health/medicine/nursing, Indigenous studies, social work etc.) to provide this broad assessment of the field. Sheila Smith brings the settler lens of Christian ethics.
Contributions
Sheila Smith, Janice Cindy Gaudet, Trisha McGuire-Adams, Isabelle Meawasige, “Joint Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commission Call for Input on Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls”, January 2022.
Sheila Smith, Janice Cindy Gaudet, Isabelle Meawasige, “Nookimisak-Nangdowenjgewad: An Indigenous Grandmothers’ Initiative in Response to Sexual Exploitation of Young Aboriginal Women.” Decolonizing Futures,Collaborations for New Indigenous Horizons, Uppsala Multiethnic Papers, 57,edited by Hiroshi Maruyama et al, Uppsala University, 2022, 317-342.
Sheila Smith, “Mutuality at the Heart of Discernment for Mission.” Religious Life Asia, First Quarter, Institute for Religious Life Asia, 2019.
Sheila Smith, “Why Reconciliation Matters to Canadians.” Virtual Workshop, Barat Spirituality Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada, January 13, 2018.
Sheila Smith and Janice Cindy Gaudet, “A Community-Based Report on Findings, Learnings and Pathways Forward. Decolonizing and Indigenizing Learning at Saint Paul University.” Prepared for Saint Paul University, January 2015.
Experience
Committee Member, Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa, Healing and Learning Lodge: 2022-present
Board Member, Office of Religious for Integral Ecology (ORCIE): 2022-present
Member of the International Community of Practice for Indigenous Rights, Society of the Sacred Heart: 2020-present
Honorary Member of Kii-Ga-Do-Waak (Grandmother Council), Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada: 2014-present
