Written by Community Social Services student Amrit Butter
Over the span of two weeks this summer, an Indigenous field study course in psychology, taught by Dr. Allison Reeves, became one of the most transformative experiences of my life.
It wasn’t just a course – it was a journey through story, relationship, and the land. We didn’t sit in a lecture hall memorizing facts. Instead, we listened to Indigenous community members, mental health workers, and Healers. We walked. We shared food, laughter, silence, and ceremony. We were welcomed into spaces that held deep meaning, and we were trusted with stories that carried generations of wisdom, struggle, and love.
From the rooftop of Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital to the sacred Teaching Rocks in Petroglyphs Provincial Park in Woodview, each day was rooted in connection, with people, with place, and with self. I often found myself moved in unexpected ways, whether through the quiet power of ceremony, the generosity of shared stories, or the gentle reminder of how every gesture, big or small, carries meaning and connection. This course required me to be present – not just physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. It needed me to listen with more than just my ears.
In Toronto, we met incredible Indigenous community leaders and Knowledge Keepers. Each one offered something unique and unforgettable. Whether it was the power of love as a foundation for justice, or the importance of making space for people to share their full selves, I left with a profound respect for Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Spaces like the Aboriginal Legal Services courtroom and Anishnawbe Health Toronto were not just buildings – they were living examples of what happens when systems are designed with care, intention, and cultural grounding.
One of the moments that stayed with me most was our visit to Evergreen Brick Works with Michael White, a Ceremonialist. As we walked the land together, he spoke about ceremony – not just as formal ritual, but as a way of being, rooted in the seasons and in relationship. He explained how Indigenous psychology understands wellness as interconnectedness: between body, spirit, community, and land. The moon cycles, like the Flower Moon and Strawberry Moon, mirror internal cycles of growth and renewal. Michael encouraged us to reflect on the intelligence of the land, and how practices like gathering ramps or resting in winter teach us balance. He asked us to consider which parts of our thinking come from colonial systems and which emerge from the land itself.
By the time we reached Peterborough, I could feel how much the week had changed me. Our time there was quiet and grounding. The teachings by the river and the ancient Anishnawbe petroglyph carvings created space for deep reflection. Being on that land showed me how knowledge lives beyond classrooms – etched in stone, flowing in water, and carried in enduring voices. I felt the meaning of interconnection – not just as an idea, but as a living truth. Everything we touched and witnessed felt like it carried more than just history – it carried care, grief, and a kind of hope that felt both ancient and alive.
This course reminded me that healing is not linear, that relationships are everything, and that humility, love, and respect are powerful teachings. I carry these lessons with me now, not as distant memories, but as seeds planted in my spirit. I know they’ll continue to grow.
I hope this experience inspires more students to get involved in their own communities, to learn from Indigenous voices, and to approach their work and lives with a greater sense of care and accountability. If you have the opportunity to take this course, take it! It will open your eyes to a new way of seeing the world: one rooted in connection, responsibility, and heart.
Interested in learning about psychology? Explore our Psychology program here.
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Written by Community Social Services student Amrit Butter