Indigenous Christianity Course
Kateri Native Ministry
Indigenous Christianity – Winter 2026
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Wednesdays, 5 to 8 p.m. ET
Starting January 14 and ending April 8
Syllabus
Course description
Historically, the experiences of Indigenous Christians in the churches have not been honored or valued. At best, they were marginalized, and this is still the case today. Using Indigenous methodologies of teaching and learning and a storytelling approach, Indigenous Christian elders and teachers offer in this course a different view of Indigenous Christian experiences and highlight their theological, spiritual, and ecclesial contribution to the churches. Learning to honor Indigenous Christian experiences is a gift to the transformation of the churches and an important step on the journey towards reconciliation.
The course is offered online simultaneously by five sponsoring schools of theology and universities as well as other Indigenous organizations. (See list below)
Course learning objectives
Students will
• Acquire a deep understanding of Indigenous Christian experience in its diversity.
• Be introduced to Indigenous methodologies in knowledge gathering, teaching, and learning that privilege storytelling, practice, and lived experience. Students will also practice reflection on their learning experience in the course as part of the methodology.
• Learn to appreciate the gift of Indigenous Christian experiences to Christianity, their potential for the transformation of the churches, and contribution to reconciliation.
• Practice how to enter in respectful dialogue that honours Indigenous Christian experiences and Indigenous spiritualities.
Participating schools and organizations
Theology Department, Concordia University, Montreal
Contact Instructor: Christine Jamieson
Toronto School of Theology
Contact Instructor: Darren Dias
Faculty of Theology, Saint Paul University, Ottawa
Contact instructor: Michel Andraos
Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa
Contact Elder: Donna Naughton
St. Thomas More College, Saskatoon
Contact Elder: Harry Lafond
Vancouver School of Theology
Contact Instructor: Ray Aldred
Course schedule
Session 1: January 14
Course Introductions.
Topic: How do we learn: introducing Indigenous epistemologies and pedagogies and circle teaching and learning.
Facilitators: Harry Lafond, Christine Jamieson, and Michel Andraos.
Session 2: January 21
Topic: The Indigenous-Christian Story: Establishing the context.
Facilitator: Christine Jamieson.
Lead presenter: Brian McDonough.
Session 3: January 28
Topic: Black Elk: Indigenous and Christian.
Facilitator: Harry Lafond.
Lead presenter: to be confirmed soon.
Session 4: February 4
Topics: Indigenous and Christianity and the Land. Land as the main teacher. Indigenous-settler relations to the land.
Facilitator: Donna Naughton.
Lead presenter: Mary Lee.
Session 5: February 11
Topic: Ceremony and Connection to the Land.
Facilitator: Christine Jamieson.
Lead presenter: A. J. Felix.
Reading week: February 16–20
No Class
Session 6: February 25
Topic: Indigenous Expressions of Christianity.
Facilitator: Tom Dearhouse.
Lead presenter: to be confirmed soon.
Session 7: March 4
Topic: Indigenous Ecclesiology.
Facilitator: Michel Andraos.
Lead presenter: Ray Aldred (to be confirmed).
Session 8: March 11
Topic: Indigenous Worldviews.
Facilitator: Donna Naughton.
Lead presenter: John Rice.
Session 9: March 18
Topic: Indigenous Christianity and Settler Views of the Church.
Lead facilitator: Michel Andraos.
Presenter: Darren Dias.
Session 10: March 25
Topic: Relationship Building: Renewed Relations between Indigenous Peoples and the Christian World.
Case Study of the Catholic Church: Pope Francis’ visit to Canada; Synodal approach to the church.
Facilitator: Harry Lafond.
Lead presenter: Michel Andraos.
Session 11: April 1
Open topic.
Facilitator: to be confirmed.
Lead presenter: to be confirmed.
Session 12: April 8
Topic: Concluding Session: What have we learned?
Facilitators: Christine Jamieson, Harry Lafond, and Michel Andraos.
Published on the Kateri Native Ministry website
