Iona Pacific Inter-religious Centre Iona Pacific Inter-Religious Centre is the inter-religious and multi-cultural context for Vancouver School of Theology’s core work of preparing leaders for tomorrow’s world. The Centre researches and implements new ways of facing critical local and global challenges to the well-being of the next generation of our shared communities. It draws upon the world’s wisdom traditions in order to foster a common sense of purpose, respect for differences, and socially engaged learning with academic and lay leaders, elders and youth, from North America and beyond. Iona Pacific addresses how religious traditions illuminate and enhance productive responses to complex social problems of this era, such as trans-generational urban and rural poverty, climate change and environmental degradation, alienation and despair among youth. Iona Pacific partners with First Nations and other ethno-religious, cultural, and secular communities, leaders, scholars, and institutions keen to pursue inter-religious social action and research. Iona Pacific models dialogical, constructive, and innovative research, learning and social engagement. Iona Pacific is an inter-religious centre where education and praxis meet. Our research and teaching informs our social action projects, and our social action projects inform our research and teaching. Our goals encompass education and advocacy, social action, dialogue, and leadership development. The Iona Pacific Inter-religious Centre in conjunction with the Indigenous Studies Centre offers: • •
The Master of Arts in Indigenous and Inter-religious Studies Master of Theology degrees in Indigenous and Inter-religious Studies
The Indigenous Studies Center The Indigenous Studies Center at Vancouver School of Theology continues over twenty-five years of collaboration with Aboriginal partners across North America to navigate through the shoals of colonization into a post-colonial spiritual harbor. By providing both academic and communal opportunities for Aboriginal traditional religious leaders and Aboriginal Christians to meet, teach and learn together, the Center’s goal is a transformed religious and educational context that takes Aboriginal culture and spirituality seriously. Yuuhadaax, the Center’s steering committee, is a partnership among Vancouver School of Theology, Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a Institute, the Native Ministries Consortium and the Center for Indian Scholars. This group both epitomizes and provides a consultative, cross-cultural focus for program planning and training between its Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal institutions in order to: •
provide an environment for Aboriginal religious leaders, including Christians, to take counsel about issues facing their nations and communities
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foster, develop and encourage Aboriginal peoples to carry forward their traditions into the future so tribal nations and societies can survive and flourish.
The Native Ministries Consortium Summer School provides a two-week training opportunity each July in Vancouver so students can learn practical skills for dealing with rural and urban Aboriginal contexts. Courses cover contemporary issues such as sovereignty and governance as well as spirituality, healthy community methods, youth ministry training and academic subjects. The Indigenous Studies Centre, with the Native Ministries Program at VST offers: •
Master of Divinity Degree by Extension
The Indigenous Studies Centre in conjunction with the Iona Pacific Inter-Religious Centre offers: • • 6
The Master of Arts in Indigenous and Inter-religious Studies Master of Theology (Th.M) Concentration in Indigenous and Inter-religious Studies