Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre

Have you seen our August newsletter? Check your mailbox for stories like this one from Jamie Scott - about his gift in memory of Rev. Laverne Jacobs. It's good to be reminded of all our ancestors and elders who helped build Sandy-Saulteaux - and of all the caring individuals who continue to support Indigenous leaders and the work of reconciliation today!

"During my years as The United Church’s General Council Officer for Residential Schools, Laverne was my colleague, confidant, guide and support. He regularly reminded me that “it is all about relationship”. His gentle, wise and loving spirit invited me into deep relationship with him, as it did with so many others.

Working within the United and Anglican Churches, Laverne was devoted to supporting Indigenous leadership in congregations and nationally. He believed that authentic ministry required formation in a culturally appropriate context, steeped in Indigenous ways of knowing. He served on the Board of the Francis Sandy Theological Centre and assisted in the creation of the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre. His vision and dignified resolve increased Indigenous voice, presence, respect and self-determination across the church.

Laverne was a gift to the church, to his community and to me. I will miss him."

Image descriptions: 2 photos of Laverne and Jamie standing side by side.

We've got a lot of great Learning Circles planned for the coming year! And we're looking for a Keeper of the Learning Circle to walk alongside our students through them all. Think you might be right for the role, or know someone else who would be? Have a look at the job posting on our website: https://sandysaulteaux.ca/hiring/

We welcome the creation of the National Indigenous Council of the United Church of Canada at the National Indigenous Spiritual Gathering last week. Thanks and blessings to: Julia Walker, Morgan Ryder, Nathan Beardy, Craig Barlett, Jordan Spence, Elenor Thompson, Teresa Snow, Bruce Kakakaway, Samantha Miller, Alda Anderson, Rosalind Antone, Sandra Campbell, Rev. Shane Goldie and The Very Reverend Stan McKay (Alternate) and Dawn Antone (Alternate). (Not all council members are in this photo.)

Mino Biidaabin – Our New Day – On Kion Niserase, today we celebrate the covenanting of the National Indigenous Council and pray for their collective wisdom, leadership, and service as they journey to give shape to the autonomous Indigenous Church. May Christ walk with you – the Creator surround you. Blessings to Julia Walker, Morgan Ryder, Nathan Beardy, Craig Barlett, Jordan Spence, Elenore Thompson, Teresa Snow, Bruce Kakakaway, Samantha Miller, Alda Anderson, Rosalind Antone, Sandra Campbell, Rev. Shane Goldie and The Very Reverend Stan McKay (Alternate) and Dawn Antone (Alternate). Miigwech to all who guide our path. , not all NIC members were able to attend and are therefore not seen in the photo.

We add our gratitude for the members of the new National Indigenous Elders Council of the United Church of Canada. Lots of familiar faces, Sandy-Saulteaux grads and honoured elders shaping the present and future of the Indigenous Church.

We give thanks for NIEC, leaders, and knowledge keepers whose faithfulness shapes the present and future of the Indigenous Church. Agnes Spence, Alma Ransom, Brian George, Deb Anderson Pratt, Deborah Hill, Eileen Antone, Elenor Thompson, Grant Queskekapow, Lorraine Kakegamic, Robert Patten, Ronald Crawford Root.

We're hiring! Please share!

At Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre, we believe that learning begins in relationship—with Creator, the land, one another, and the communities we are called to serve. We believe wisdom is gathered in many ways: through lived experience, ceremony, the teachings of Elders, stories shared around the fire, and the lifelong journey of learning together.

As our ministry continues to grow, we are inviting two people to join our Ministry Formation Team:

Keeper of the Learning Circle: Walking alongside students through Learning Circles, nurturing spiritual formation, teaching, mentorship, and community.

Keeper of the Learning Pathway: Walking alongside students before, between, and beyond the Learning Circles, weaving relationships with Vision Keepers, Elders, graduates, communities, and theological partners while nurturing collaborative and online opportunities for lifelong learning.

These are more than employment opportunities. They are invitations to help nurture the next generation of Indigenous spiritual helpers and leaders, grounded in hope, healing, belonging, and good relationship.

If this speaks to your heart, we invite you to learn more.
- Full-Time at 70 hours bi-weekly
- Hybrid work, benefits, professional development, and time for ceremony and land-based learning.

https://sandysaulteaux.ca/hiring/

Can you help us get ready to welcome everyone who comes to sweat lodge ceremonies here?

Having extra skirts, shorts, shirts and towels available to borrow means no one will have to miss out because they don't have the right clothes. But right now, we don't have options in all sizes.

We don’t turn anyone away who comes to learn traditional teachings and participate in ceremonies like the sweat lodge.

And because of support from relatives like you over the years, our Centre has become a place where people seek out traditional teachings.

These teachings get passed on when we choose to make that possible. When we:
- stock the woodshed for sacred fires
- support our elders and knowledge keepers who carry these teachings
- have spare clothes available for the sweat lodge

Can you pitch in by making a donation? Give here https://sandysaulteaux.ca/give-learn/

If you can donate t-shirts, shorts, long skirts, or towels of any size, we’d love to hear from you too!

Traditional teachings point us toward right relationships with each other and all our relations. These teachings have so much to offer our hurting world in this moment.
There are more people making plans right now to come and hear teachings here this summer.

Will you help us be ready? Can you give to welcome everyone who comes with care?

We’re looking forward to sharing our unique strengths with the wider church through this initiative. We have leadership to offer in land- and circle-based learning that values Indigenous ways of knowing. This work flows from the vision established at Francis Sandy Theological Centre and Dr. Jessie Saulteaux Resource Centre.

Innovation and Collaboration Ignite “Reimagining Theological Education” Project A bold new chapter in theological education is underway—driven by collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to equipping leaders for a changing world

Thank you to everyone who came out for our tipi raising on National Indigenous Peoples Day this weekend!

A few years back we were raising money to buy a new tipi. We invited folks to share their memories and photos with the tipi here. Check out for some of the special moments that have happened in and around tipis here.

Your gifts of time and money continue to make this a place where people can gather on the land, in a circle, to learn traditional teachings. Miigwetch!

Planting these beans (and so much more!) in our garden is one of the ways we get ready to welcome everyone who comes here.  

We don’t turn anyone away who comes to learn traditional teachings.

And because of support from relatives like you over the years, our Centre has become a place where people seek out traditional teachings.

These teachings can’t just be learned from a book, or a screen. They need to be shared in person, on the land.

These teachings get passed on when we choose to make that possible.  When we:
- stock the woodshed for sacred fires
- support our elders and knowledge keepers who carry these teachings
- tend the garden that teaches and feeds us

It takes many hands and hearts. This garden isn’t fully planted yet and needs care all summer long!

Can you pitch in by making a donation? Give here https://sandysaulteaux.ca/give-learn/

If you’re nearby and can ever lend a hand in the garden, we’d love to hear from you too!

Traditional teachings point us toward right relationships with each other and all our relations. These teachings have so much to offer our hurting world in this moment.

There are more people making plans right now to come and hear teachings here this summer.

Will you help us be ready?

Can you make a gift to tend the garden, stock the woodshed, or support an elder?

Can you give to welcome everyone who comes with care?

How will you celebrate National Indigenous People’s day this year? If you’re nearby, join us on June 21, 1-5 PM for teachings, team work and time on the land as we put up our tipi. Please bring a dish of food to share in a potluck feast. All ages welcome (participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian or caregiver.)

Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre, 290 Zielke Dr, Beausejour.

Questions? Contact us at 204-268-3913, [email protected]