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Indigenous Healing Psychology Book Launch
On June 13, 2018, Cambridge College hosted the book signing of internationally renowned author Dr Richard Katz, who talked about his new book Indigenous Healing Psychology: Honoring the Wisdom of the First Peoples.
Drawing upon material from his new book, which was written under the direction of Indigenous elders he has worked with, Dr Katz discussed how connecting modern psychology to its Indigenous roots could enhance the healing process and psychology itself. He shared healing wisdom from Indigenous people, including the hunting-gathering Ju/’hoansi of the Kalahari Desert, the Fijians of the South Pacific, Sicangu Lakota people, and Cree and Anishnabe First Nations people. These Indigenous perspectives can help create a more effective model of best practices in psychology.
Dr Katz shared Indigenous teachings that could encourage contemporary psychology to be more respectful of diversity and more committed to social action. He also explored the vital role of spirituality in the practice of psychology and the shift of emphasis that occurs when one understands that all beings are interconnected.
The audience was enthusiastic, and posed fascinating questions, such as "How does spirituality enter into the counselling relationship?” and "Can teachings from Indigenous healers help make our mental health system more accessible, effective and equitable?"
Dr. Niti Seth, Dean of the School of Psychology and Counseling at Cambridge College, noted that “regard for Indigenous healers helps the self-empowerment of clients”.
The event took place at Cambridge College’s Town Commons and was attended by at least a hundred people, including Cambridge College alums, instructors and current students, Mental Health counselors as well as former students of Dr Katz.
Author royalties will be given back to the Indigenous elders whose teachings made the book possible.
About Dr. Richard Katz
Dr. Katz received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Harvard University and taught there for nearly 20 years. Over the past 50 years, he has spent time living and working with Indigenous elders and healers around the world; and has authored 5 books describing those experiences, including the Harvard Press classic, Boiling Energy: Community Healing Among the Kalahari Kung. Katz is currently Professor Emeritus at the First Nations University of Canada and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan.