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Anglican Diocese of Ottawa Media Release

Albert Dumont, a well-known and respected Algonquin poet, artist, activist and spiritual guide, has been appointed by the Very Reverend Shane Parker, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa, to be Algonquin Spiritual Teacher in Residence for a two-year term.

Mr. Dumont, whose spirit name is Oshki Nodin (South Wind), “has been deeply shaped by the spirituality of his ancestors throughout his life’s journey,” Dean Parker said.

Mr. Dumont said he is “truly humbled that my good friend has put his trust in me to share Indigenous ways of knowing with his community,” adding he hopes “we will learn from each other about the purpose of spirituality and of strong leadership.”

The residency is intended to help members of the Cathedral community and the Anglican Diocese, along with other faith leaders, to understand the distinctiveness of Indigenous spirituality. Dean Parker says he hopes this residency “will build a relationship between the Cathedral and the Algonquin Community as a whole, based on friendship and mutual respect, which Albert and I have come to enjoy and rely on.”

This is the first appointment of a non-Christian Indigenous teacher in residence in a cathedral of the Anglican Church of Canada and comes with the full support of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Chief Jean Guy Whiteduck, and Anglican Diocese of Ottawa Bishop John Chapman.