Years of learning with Aboriginal communities have led Dr. Mary Hampton, a professor of psychology at Luther College at the University of Regina, to believe that "culture" becomes very important at the end of life suggesting that honouring cultural traditions as we face our own death or the dying of a loved one is essential for a peaceful passing.

Hampton will deliver the latest Coffee House Controversies lecture, presented by the Faculty of Arts, on October 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Chapters bookstore behind the Southland Mall (2625 Gordon Road). The lecture is titled, "End of Life Care with Aboriginal Families: Reflections on Research with Aboriginal Families." Participants at the Coffee House Controversies lecture will be asked to reflect on their own cultures and think of ways culture has influenced their experiences with death and dying. Hampton will also discuss the learning she has gained in her research with Aboriginal families and communities; Elders and community members have shared traditional beliefs and protocol with her research team over the past ten years. Some of these reflections are contained in videos produced by her research team ("Completing the Circle: End of Life Care with Aboriginal Families") and research publications.

Hampton is a registered doctoral clinical psychologist in Saskatchewan as well as a faculty researcher with SPHERU (Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit) and Saskatchewan Academic Coordinator of RESOLVE (Research and Education for Solutions to Violence and Abuse).

Coffee House Controversies speakers give an informal 20-minute talk focusing on a topic of interest to the general public. The talks are intended to encourage the open exchange of ideas. Twenty minutes of discussion follows each talk, during which members of the general public can ask questions or raise issues with the speaker or other audience members.

The events are free and open to the public. Contact the Faculty of Arts at 585-4226 for more information.