The Foundations of Aboriginal Spirituality and Healing from the Perspective of Rogier Vandersteene

In the light of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and the often troubling rush to judgment towards the missionaries by many today, it is well to pause and consider those individuals, flawed as they were, who saw deeper truths in Aboriginal culture than was acknowledged in their day. Con...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Studies in religion
Subtitles:Indigenous Spirituality
Main Author: Waugh, Earle H. 1936- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage [2016]
In: Studies in religion
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
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Summary:In the light of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and the often troubling rush to judgment towards the missionaries by many today, it is well to pause and consider those individuals, flawed as they were, who saw deeper truths in Aboriginal culture than was acknowledged in their day. Consider one known as “Steentje, Little Stone,” in Belgium, and eventually as “Ka Miyohtwat - the good man” among his parishioners. Few Canadian missionaries have had the kind of impact that Roger Vandersteene had upon the Cree of Northern Alberta: he was accorded an extraordinary place in the religious terrain at a time when antagonism towards the role of the Church in residential schools was beginning to swell. This article summarizes some of the key points of his achievement, focusing purposely on his perceptions of his mission and the ramifications for understanding traditional Aboriginal spiritual values. He saw these values expressed most effectively in the close relationship between the spiritual world and the potential for wellness and healing.
ISSN:2042-0587
Contains:Enthalten in: Studies in religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0008429816657248