Experiential Learning Opportunities
Fieldwork in Indigenous and Cultural Healing Practices
Students will observe and participate in ceremonial practices involving sacred plant medicines and non-ordinary states of consciousness.
Modern psychedelic research is confirming age-old Indigenous knowledge about the centrality of spirituality in the healing process: human flourishing rests upon bio-psychosocial and transpersonal/spiritual dimensions.
Our program is committed to promoting research on the role of spirituality in healing, and to advancing Indigenous ways of knowing by introducing students to traditional holistic systems of healing, and inculcating in them a knowledge of, and respect for, traditional plant medicines. The most direct and effective way to achieve this goal is by offering students short term (8-10 days) fieldwork opportunities among traditional healers and/ or entheogenic religious communities where the spiritual and communal dimensions of healing are centre stage.
Students will have the opportunity to learn from traditional healers (shamans, curanderos, madrihnas, etc.), observe the ritual and ceremonial bases of healing, and examine the uses of non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOSC) in the process of healing and spiritual growth. We have established fieldwork opportunities among indigenous and traditional healers in Canada and internationally and are adding more.
Fieldwork in Jamaica
Psilocybin-Assisted Retreat in Jamaica
One Retreat is a prominent psychedelic retreat center situated in the resort town of Negril, Jamaica. It stands as one of Jamaica's premier centers due to the numerous wellness retreats it offers, and its involvement with psilocybin research, that includes academic partners in the USA and Canada (e.g., Johns Hopkins University, Guelph University). The retreat has garnered attention for its involvement in provision of psychedelic-assisted therapy for Navy SEAL veterans dealing with PTSD. Drs. Williams and Vallely have been working closely with program directors to craft a program uniquely suited to our students' needs, and recently returned from a site visit of this facility in Jamaica. Anyone receiving psilocybin mushrooms would first be medically cleared by a licenced medical provider, with a medical personal present for the duration of the psilocybin experience.
The cost of this is retreat is currently $4500 USD. Partial scholarships may be available for eligible students.
Drs. Monnica Williams and Anne Vallely at the One Jamaica Retreat in Negril with retreat directors Kevin Bourke (left), Vee Cardillo (right), and Taino Chief Kasike Nibonrix Kaiman of the Jamaica Council of Indigenous Leaders (center).
The retreat includes:
- 2x Psilocybin Experiences (Full Deep Dive Ceromony)
- All Meals Included (3 meals/day)
- 2x Excursion with transport
- Accomodations
- 1x Pre-Retreat Group Online Session
- 1x Pre-Retreat 1-on-1 Online Session
- 1x Post-Retreat Group Sessions
- 2 x Airport Transfers
For uOttawa students interested in attending this retreat from Oct 11-16, 2025 for credit, they should register for PSY 6148 Fieldwork in Indigenous and Cultural Healing Practices for the 2025 Fall semester.
Fieldwork in Montreal
Ayahuasca at Céu do Montréal Santo Daime Church
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic plant medicine indigenous to South America, is extensively utilized in various syncretic churches across North America. It serves as the sacrament of the Santo Daime, a spiritual tradition with origins in Brazil, that combines elements of Christianity, Indigenous Amazonian beliefs, and African spiritual practices. Since 1999, the Santo Daime community has had a church in Montreal known as Céu do Montréal, where they hold weekly gatherings serving ayahuasca with the goal of facilitating spiritual growth, personal insight, and healing. Ayahuasca is consumed as a tea in a communal setting with over 20 participants, overseen by the spiritual leader ("madrinha"), and trained facilitators. In Canada, Ayahuasca is legal for Santo Daime practitioners under the umbrella of religious freedom.
The directors of the uOttawa psychedelic programs have established a longstanding working relationship with Céu do Montréal founder, Rev. Dr. Jessica Rochester, who is a spiritual care provider and practicing psychotherapist. She will oversee student experiences to ensure there is significant attention and supervision maintained throughout the experience.
Ayahuasca is generally safe and non-addictive, and anyone receiving ayahuasca is medically cleared by church staff before being allowed to participate, along with trained church members present for the duration of the experience.
The Céu do Montréal, in partnership with the Canadian Association of Spiritual Care and University of Ottawa Psychedelic & Consciousness & Studies Graduate Program, are offering a 3-day event in the Fall of 2025.
Event details:
- October 24, 2025: First Santo Daime Work, gather at 4:00 pm, Work opens at 5:00 pm, finishes approximately 11 -12 pm. Post Work meal provided.
- October 25, 2025: Second Santo Daime Work, gather at 4:00 pm, Work opens at 5:00 pm, finishes approximately 11 - 12 pm. Post Work meal provided.
- October 26, 2025, Group in person meeting, with Rev Dr Jessica Rochester and Dr Stephen Stotland, for sharing, questions, integration guidelines. 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Light snacks provided.
- Approximately two weeks after the event there will be a Zoom meeting with Rev Dr Jessica Rochester and Dr Stephen Stotland, integration guidelines, sharing, questions.
Cost is $875 CAD per participant, not including accommodations. This includes all events as listed above and modest compensation for the senior team and those with added responsibilities. Applications to attend must be received with a $375 CAD deposit required to reserve a place.
For uOttawa students interested in attending this retreat from Oct 24-26, 2025 for credit, they should register for PSY 6148 Fieldwork in Indigenous and Cultural Healing Practices for the 2025 Fall semester.