Compilation of Critical Reflective Papers
- Write a twelve-page, double-spaced reflection paper
- Compiling and editing the three reflection papers in the form of a final paper that engages key learning from the retreat, the assigned readings, and personal experience taking into consideration the learning outcomes listed below.
- Course Key learning:
1. Learn to respectfully engage the teachings of Indigenous elders and their spiritual practices.
2. Reflect on learning experience at the Kendaasawin retreat and spiritual journey.
A. I learned that there are some similarities between the Indigenous spiritual practice or ceremony and what we call voodoo practice, (e.g. praying facing the four directions in the beginning of a spiritual ceremony.
B. When I think of tobacco, the fist thing that comes to mind is Cuban cigar. However, at the retreat I learned that tobacco is a sacred plant as a gift from God or Creator used for healing rituals and purification, ceremonial uses, and connecting to the ancestors.
C. By far, the most significant part of the retreat was the Water Bundle ceremony in honor of water sacredness. The part where each of us incorporated a few pebbles representing the number of deceased loved ones was profoundly spiritual. I reflect a lot about my deceased loved ones, but I have never experienced such closeness. I felt like I was hugging them as we passed the bundle from one person to the next until we reached the riverbank. Water, indeed, is sacred and a life sustainer.
3. Deepen understanding of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
4. Build a community of learning and reconciliation with other course participants.
- Should include In-text citation
- Should include headings
- References
- No AI (Artificial Intelligence) work is accepted.