Browsing by Author "Stevens, Nancy"

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From the Inside Out: Spirituality as the Heart of Aboriginal Helping in [spite of ?] Western Systems
(2010-11) Stevens, Nancy
The degree of reclamation of culturally-based spiritual practices varies by and within communities and families, but appears to be gathering momentum. From the anecdotes provided by clients it appears that healing takes its firmest roots when the spiritual aspects of the individual’s life are attended to. More clients and helpers are recognizing the need to look inward, to recognize the strength of their spirit and the role spirituality plays in fostering resiliency. Working as a helper, particularly within western systems, however, the challenges can be daunting and frustrating with respect to incorporating spirituality into the helping process. Although many helpers have begun the dialogue, spirituality – and more particularly Aboriginal spirituality – remains on the margins, raising questions and concerns that have no simple solutions. This paper is a beginning in my personal and professional consideration of how to more fully explore and integrate spirituality with individuals, families and communities.
"Using the gifts of the Trickster: Balancing "Self" in the helping field"
(School of Native Human Services, 2003-11) Stevens, Nancy; St. Germain, Janice
As helpers in an Aboriginal mental health program, we are faced with a number of challenges that constantly reinforce the need for balance in our professional and personal lives. These challenges occur within the helping relationships, within the larger agency and between the other services and service providers that we encounter in our daily work. In order to demonstrate this ongoing struggle for balance, we will share some of the history of B'saanibamaadsiwin and the context in which we work.