Edgar French, spiritual care co-ordinator for the university, said the goal since UM’s spiritual care office opened in 2017 has been to establish multi-faith centres on both campuses, but it took some time to find the right space on Bannatyne.
French hosted the dedication ceremony, which was held in the Buhler Atrium and included greetings and prayers from several university and student groups representing Indigenous, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, Christian and Sikh faiths.
“One might say that we walk our spirituality, or that we are on a pilgrimage,” French said. “Many traditions might speak of journeying to a sacred place or destination. They would also agree that the journey ultimately leads to finding ourselves – the cultivation and rediscovery of our true selves.
“My hope is that this centre will serve as a means to help Bannatyne members carry on this history.”
Among the speakers were Margaret Lavallee, Elder-in-residence at Ongomiizwin – Education, UM Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy and Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis, dean of the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, who spoke on behalf of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.
“As educators of future health professionals, we have increasingly come to understand that health-care providers must take care of their own health and well-being in order to be of service to others,” Kelekis-Cholakis said.
By recognizing all faith traditions and affirming religious pluralism, she said, the centre sets an important example of upholding equity, diversity and inclusion for those entering health-care fields.
“All future health-care providers must be aware that patients come from a wide variety of religious and cultural backgrounds. It is vital that every patient is treated with respect.”
Following the event, guests were invited to tour the centre. The open space has generous storage for sacred texts and prayer mats, as well as ablution spaces, which allow Muslim members to wash before they pray or engage in ceremony.
French said the room, including furnishings and artwork, is designed to be neutral and welcoming for all.
Tim Rozovsky, first-year medical student and co-founder of the Jewish Medical Students Association, said the space is welcoming and will enhance the multiculturalism experience on campus.
“The creation of this space allows for students with shared or different belief systems to connect with one another and feel safe to practise their faith in a judgment-free zone,” he said.
Greg Junghans, who spoke on behalf of the Christian Medical and Dental Association of Canada, said the centre shows that spiritual care is a priority at UM.
“A lot of mental-health concerns are addressed in spiritual care, so I think it’s great for students, and I think it’s a great place to provide them a compass on the complexities of life and a sense of grounding.”
Prabhnoor Singh, president of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union, said he is grateful that the space has opened.
“Whenever I come to the Bannatyne campus, I feel this would be the place where I can come in for a moment of reflection, mindfulness or to meditate,” Singh said.
“There is always something happening in life, and sometimes you just really need to pause and reflect on your own actions, as well as give yourself space, time and energy.”
The Bannatyne Multi-faith Centre is available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To find out more about guided mindfulness meditation gatherings, monthly Monday mass or to book privately, visit the Spiritual Care and Multi-faith Centre or email spiritualcare[at]umanitoba[dot]ca.
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