Wisdom Holders in Practice: syilx and Métis Teachings for Ethical Animal-Assisted School Counselling
Wisdom Holders in Practice: syilx and Métis Teachings for Ethical Animal-Assisted School Counselling
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Issue Date
2025-12
Authors
Stewart, Nicole Renée
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Abstract
This capstone explores the integration of syilx and Métis teachings into ethical animal-assisted therapy in counselling (AAT-C) within school settings, emphasizing animals as wisdom holders and kin rather than tools. Drawing from nsyilxcən oral traditions, such as captikʷł stories of snk'lip (coyote) and tmixʷ (earth beings), and Métis wahkootowin (relational ethics), the project advocates for decolonial, reciprocal approaches to youth mental health support. Through a literature review of attachment theory, and human-animal bond research, alongside Indigenous epistemologies like Two-Eyed Seeing, the project addresses trauma, anxiety, and disconnection among youth. Practical lesson plans incorporating therapy dogs, like the author's companion Kona, are provided, with ethical guidelines aligned to standards from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (2024) and Human Research Standards Organization (2023), prioritizing animal welfare and cultural safety. The significance lies in fostering wholistic wellness by repositioning more-than-human relations as central to healing, offering school counsellors culturally responsive strategies that honour Indigenous worldviews while promoting mutual flourishing. Recommendations include ongoing collaboration with Knowledge Keepers to adapt AAT-C practices, ensuring reciprocity, and avoiding anthropocentrism. This work contributes to bridging Western and Indigenous paradigms in education, ultimately supporting resilient, relationally grounded youth.
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Keywords
animal-assisted therapy , Métis , sylix , school counselling , ethical , kin , Two-Eyed Seeing , more-than-human relations , youth
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States , openAccess