A Narrative Study of Counsellors’ Understandings of Inuit Spirituality

Eight non-Indigenous counsellors who temporarily lived in Nunavut to serve Inuit clients were interviewed regarding what they learned about Inuit spirituality during their cultural immersion experience. They were also asked about how they applied their understandings of the Inuit spiritual worldview...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wihak, Christine, Merali, Noorfarah
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association 2007
Subjects:
Online Access:https://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/article/view/58765
Description
Summary:Eight non-Indigenous counsellors who temporarily lived in Nunavut to serve Inuit clients were interviewed regarding what they learned about Inuit spirituality during their cultural immersion experience. They were also asked about how they applied their understandings of the Inuit spiritual worldview in their professional practice. Counsellors’ narratives of their experiences in Nunavut revealed an understanding of the unity of humans and the natural environment in Inuit spirituality, alternate versions of reality, and diverse religious beliefs and rituals. Counsellors’ reflective practice facilitated a search for culturally meaningful explanations of clients’ presenting problems, as well as the use of culturally appropriate healing methods. Huit conseillers non autochtones ayant temporairement vécu dans le Nunavut pour servir des clients inuits ont été interviewés à propos de ce qu’ils ont appris de la spiritualité inuite au cours de leur immersion. On leur a aussi demandé comment ils ont appliqué leurs compréhensions de la vision spirituelle du monde inuit dans leur pratique professionnelle. Les narrations qu’ont faites les conseillers de leurs expériences au Nunavut ont révélé une compréhension de l’unité des humains et du milieu naturel dans la spiritualité inuite, des versions différentes de la réalité et de diverses croyances et rituels religieux. La pratique réflective des conseillers a facilité une recherche d’explications significatives au plan culturel chez les clients présentant des problèmes, de même que l’utilisation de méthodes de guérison adaptées à la culture.