Nipissing First Nation Anishinaabekwe brings compassionate knowledge and healing in a pandemic world

NIPISSING FIRST NATION — Michèle J. Chrétien, Shawanoong Noongoose Kwe (Southern Star Woman), attended an in-person graduation ceremony on Oct. 27 and was honoured as an Indigenous Graduate of the Thanatology Certificate Program – with Honours at Durham College in Oshawa, Ont.

Thanatology is also known as grief or compassionate counselling and is the scientific study of how people cope with tragedies, death and dying. Thanatology aims to promote understanding of death and how it affects individuals, whether the death is a result of a long-standing chronic illness an acute condition, or a traumatic event.

Chrétien is an Anishinaabekwe resident and member of Nipissing First Nation. Chrétien’s goal is to launch a private practice in compassionate counselling infusing holistic practical, psychosocial, therapeutic, cultural, and theoretical knowledge in the near future. Chrétien said she has been fascinated about emotional and metaphysical growth her entire life and has consistently obtained roles of oshkabewis kwe (helper) walking with those in various stages of life issues, grief, trauma, healing, health, and spiritual wellness.

Thanatology was a natural calling for this mature student.

“Studying unique and individual complex issues such as death and dying, trauma, and loss, which are universal human experiences makes you unpack everything learned and re-examine deep-seated emotions and limitations,” Chrétien said.

To successfully complete the course, she said she needed to face personal issues including inter-generational trauma, losses, and self-compassion. Chrétien added that earning her credentials through a global pandemic came with challenges, compounding any ‘typical’ process, or understanding of grief, loss, or bereavement.

After working over 30 years as a Traditional/Classical Hatha Yoga Instructor, Special Constable, Certified Infinite Possibilities Life Coach, Horticulturist, and Grief Facilitator volunteer with Near North Palliative Care Network (NNPCN), Chrétien said completing the Thanatology program was a critical step in understanding the complexities of the human journey while connecting personal, spiritual, and cultural values and belief systems. Alongside of completing the theoretical course, Chrétien continued to volunteer with the Near North Palliative Care Network (NNPCN), which assisted in growing practical skills required to assist those requiring or requesting compassionate care.

Chrétien began her grief training as a volunteer facilitator with the Near North Palliative Care Network in North Bay, Ont., in 2017, which she said planted the seed to continue deeper studies into Thanatology. As a volunteer, Chrétien provides one-on-one grief support (telephone and in-person) for anticipatory grief, trauma, sudden death, palliative care, and comfort, hospice as well as complex grief (inner child work) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She is also an experienced volunteer navigator (Nav-CARE) and able to assist with Advanced Care Planning (ACP) upon request to those affected by declining health and their families. Volunteering is important to Chrétien; to facilitate community connections, self-advocacy and to provide tools to empower those affected by end-of-life with a positive and reflective quality of life is fulfilling. Chrétien said she will continue to be a lifelong volunteer to the groups that help so many others.

Chrétien is grateful to Nipissing First Nation Education and Training Department, Dr. Norma-Jean Neilson, Monica DoCoutto – NNPCN Executive Director, the magnificent team at NNPCN, Durham College Thanatology Program staff, and for the immense support of family and friends. Chrétien is perpetually grateful for the honour to walk side-by-side with individuals and their families in need of grief support. Through their unique stories and life experiences, they exemplify bravery, love, wisdom, respect, truth, honesty, and humility as they journey through the many facets of living and dying.

To view more information on Near North Palliative Care Network, visit: nnpcn.com

For professional inquiries, Michéle Chrétien can be reached at: chretienmichele02@gmail.com