Indigenous Pastoral & Lay Leader Ministry Education Program (IPL)

IPL is led by teams of Indigenous and non-Indigenous instructors, modelling respectful and reconciling relationships.

The next online course will begin in Sept. 2026, held on Tuesday afternoon, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm SK time. SCHEDULE:

Introduction to Reconciliation – Sept. 15, 2026 to Nov. 10, 2026 ($200) – Click here to Register

There are eight different courses all together, offered in sets of four – they can be taken as single courses for enrichment, and can be completed in any order; it is not necessary to complete one course before taking another. The next course from the first series of courses will be:

No prerequisite is required. Each course is 18 hours including out-of-class time commitment to additional reading and course work. Participants can register for a single course or more – but those who complete all four courses will earn a certificate.

The fee is $200 for each course. Funding assistance and bursaries may be available for both clergy and laity – diocesan residents can apply for support through the diocesan Education of Laity Fund: LINK. (Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools may have funding assistance for teachers, please check with the school division.)

(Icon of the Sacred Heart written by Andre J Prevost in collaboration with Romeo Crow, Chief of Siksika Nation, copyright 2017, used with permission.)

Video: program overview and insights

This video was made possible thanks to a Pastoral Study Grant from the Louisville Institute.

Reflections from Participants - Click here to browse!

About the Indigenous Pastoral & Lay Leader program:

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, St. Thomas More College, and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools jointly launched Indigenous Pastoral & Lay Leader Ministry Education, a continuing education program for Catholic Indigenous and non-Indigenous clergy, lay ministers, educators and leaders, which is led by teams of Indigenous and non-Indigenous instructors, modelling respectful and reconciling relationships.

The Indigenous Pastoral & Lay Leader Ministry Education Program includes:

  • An overview of the features of Indigenous peoples in western Canada, with specific reference to the Saskatchewan context.
  • An overview of the history and features of contact and relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples with specific reference to the Roman Catholic Church experience.
  • Creation of a dialogue between Indigenous and Christian world views.
  • Insight into the history that has shaped the complex nature of the relationships in the present day.
  • Provide mutual sharing and hope for a respectful and harmonious future as children of God, who together seek beauty and good of all.

Why take the program?

  • To participate in a concerted effort to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action.
  • To learn about the history of the interaction between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples including the impact of Roman Catholic missionaries on Indigenous communities.
  • To discuss areas of culture convergence/divergence.
  • To further Catholic social and moral teachings.
  • ​To support the building of right relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Catholics in Western Canada.

Who should take this program?

  • Clergy
  • Lay ecclesial ministers
  • Catechists
  • Catholic school teachers
  • Youth
  • Family ministry leaders

IPL Graduation – May 31, 2025

Indigenous Pastoral and Lay Leader Ministry Education Program participants and leaders at a wind-up retreat day of reflection, prayer, and presentation of diplomas to those who completed all eight modules of the online program, including a field study.

Participants who completed eight modules of the diocesan online Indigenous Pastoral & Lay Leader Ministry Education Program (IPL) were presented with diplomas at a retreat day held May 31, 2025 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon.

IPL diplomas for completing all eight modules, including a field study, were presented to: Chandra Behrenz, Elaine Callow, Wendy Dale, Nicole Gursky, Margy Hitchcock, Marilyn Kotylak, Carmen Lopez Folan, Marcelle Marion, Pat Schiller, and Cheryl Unruh.

IPL program winds up with retreat day May 31, 2025 – LINK to Article / Photos

VIDEO – Retreat day excerpts: including field study reflections by IPL graduates: 

 

Certificate presentation to second cohort – Dec. 2, 2023

Second Cohort of IPL Program Presented with Certificates Dec. 2, 2023 – LINK to Article / Photos

Indigenous Pastoral and Lay Leader Ministry Education Program graduates and leaders: Cohort Two certificates were presented at an in-person conference day held Dec. 2, 2023 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Certificate presentation to first cohort – November 2021

First Group Completes IPL Certificate Program in November 2021 – LINK to Article/Photos

Indigenous Pastoral and Lay Leader (IPL) continuing education program graduates, leaders and fadilitators gathered in November 2021 to mark the presentation of certificates to the first group of graduates. (Catholic Saskatoon News photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski)

Image: Icon of the Sacred Heart 2017 in collaboration with Romeo Crow Chief of Siksika First Nation, written by Andre J. Prevost.