More than Brick and Mortar: 17 Wing Spiritual Well-Being Centre Dedicated to Inclusion and Diversity

News Article / February 15, 2022

By: Captain Bettina McCulloch-Drake
Writing for 17 Wing Chaplain Services

Dedicated to being open to and inclusive of all members of the Defence community and their families, the once named 17 Wing Community Chapel was rededicated as the 17 Wing Spiritual Well-Being Centre on Monday, the 22 November, 2021.

“Words matter as do actions,” stressed Major Hope Winfield, the 17 Wing Chaplain and team lead for 17 Wing Chaplain Services. “The terms ‘chapel’ and ‘chapel annex’ is no longer an accurate depiction of the activities that take place here. Nor are they terms that communicate inclusion to our increasingly diverse community,” continued Maj. Winfield who later confirmed that the renaming is just one part of a larger journey towards Truth and Reconciliation.

The original building, which makes up part of the Centre, was built in 1956 as Our Lady of the Airways. Forty-one years later the former Community Chapel became the gathering place of the Ste. Marguerite Bourgeoys Roman Catholic faith community and The Good Shepherd Protestant faith community.

More recently, in 2017, an Indigenous Sweat Lodge (the Lodge) was introduced by the 17 Wing Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group (DAAG). Located on sacred ground to the west side of the Centre, the Lodge is a space of healing and teaching. Kept by Devin Beaudry, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) veteran also known by his Indigenous spiritual name Walking Grey Wolf, the Lodge has specific, cultural meaning for Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.

“All are welcome around the Sacred Fire and in the Lodge,” emphasized the Lodge Keeper and DAAG Elder on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation commemorated for the first time on 30 September of this year. “You do not need to belong to the DAAG or be part of an Indigenous community to ask for healing or to go on a personal spiritual journey.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic the existence of the large meeting room with adjacent kitchen enabled 17 Wing Chaplain Services to expand their offerings in the areas of spiritual resiliency, mental health, and whole-of-person well-being.

“While we seek to be respectful of the sacred spaces of the spiritual and faith communities, it is our hope that this multi-purpose space will once again play host to events such as the Model Seder meal previously organized by former team member Rabbi Glogauer. It is also our hope to start running training courses for Sentinels again as well as lunch-and-learn workshops and seminars on topics such as whole-hearted living and the Indigenous Seven Sacred Teachings.”

Committed to supporting the well-being of the Defence Team at CFB Winnipeg, 17 Wing Colonel David Proteau stressed the importance of the occasion. “Creating a more welcoming, inclusive community goes far beyond the renaming of a brick and mortar building,” began Col. Proteau. “It means listening to our people, especially those who are under-represented, and finding out what can be done to encourage greater cohesion.”

Colonel Proteau went on to acknowledge the hard work of the Defence Advisory Groups (DAGs) and reinforced the Canadian Armed Forces’ commitment to eliminating employment barriers for Women, Visible Minorities, Indigenous Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, and members from the LGBTQ2+ communities. “Lasting change starts at the grassroots level and this is where the work being done by the DAGs comes in,” emphasized Col. Proteau.

“Up until about two years ago the DAGs would communicate up to the national level within their own silos, but we discovered that issues, especially those the groups had in common, needed to be addressed in a more cohesive manner. Thus we created a steering committee, chaired by myself, where all groups and their Champions can come together once a month to discuss issues and identify potential solutions. In some instances we discover that an issue first thought to impact only one group also impacts one or more of the other groups.”

“Another idea that has come out of these and other meetings about inclusion is the creation of a ‘unity space’ where anyone may gather for the purposes of building greater understanding between all peoples,” revealed Col. Proteau. “The initial thought is to include a visual representation of the five advisory groups in a green space on the base. I do not want to divulge too much because discussions are still taking place and a final plan has not yet been approved.”

Closing out his remarks, Col Proteau added: “I think it’s important that we take time to pause and recognize that changing the name of a building is significant. By changing the label on the outside, we are changing what happens on the inside. As partners in change, we are moving the earth in the right direction and building a more diverse, more unified world.”

Counted on for their compassion and active care of individuals and their families, Canadian Armed Forces chaplains provide support to anyone that needs it regardless of faith or belief. “With the challenges that come with life, it is important that people feel supported while they pursue their own inner journeys,” Royal Canadian Air Force Chaplain Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Sébastien Morin reminded those in attendance. “Spirituality is something that can be expressed inside or outside of an organized faith tradition.”

Following Lt.-Col Morin’s remarks, Corporal (retired) Melvin Swan, also known by his spiritual name Lone Thunderbird, was invited to speak. Drawing upon the traditions and language of his Indigenous ancestors, he first offered a prayer to the Creator. He then went on to speak about Reconciliation and healing journeys. “Healing, like life, is personal. To help others I have to be a warrior and that’s hard sometimes because I am only human.”

To close the ceremony, the Warriors of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, led by Warrant Officer Robert-Falcon Ouellette and including Corporals Errol McKay, Chayton Bearshield, and Kaylan Pawulski, performed a song on the hand drums relating to the spirit of the bear.