Lieutenant-Colonel the Reverend Canon Catherine Askew, CD

Education

1989 – Nanaimo District Senior Secondary School
1993 – Carleton University     Bachelor of Arts (English Literature)
1995 – Toronto Institute for Pastoral Education, Clinical Pastoral Education (Basic Unit)
1996 – Trinity College – University of Toronto, Master of Divinity
2017 – St Paul University, Master of Arts (Counselling and Spirituality)

Major Research Paper – The integration of traditional healing and psychotherapy for Canadian Aboriginal veterans with Operational Stress Injuries

Ordinations and Appointments

31 October 1999 – Deacon, Diocese of Cariboo
2 May 2000 – Priest, Diocese of Cariboo
October 2018 – Canon Advisor Diversity and Inclusion, Anglican Military Ordinariate

Ministry Experience

1996 – 1997 – Coordinator for Sacred Circle, General Synod, (Part time)
1996 – 1999 – Indigenous Justice Coordinator, General Synod (Part time until August 1997. Full time until November 1999)
1999 – 2002 – Rector, Lytton Indigenous Parishes, Diocese of Cariboo
• Member of Provincial Synod
• Regional Dean
2002 – Present – Chaplain, Canadian Armed Forces
• 2002 – 2007 – Chaplain, 8 Wing Trenton, ON; Deployment, Op Athena Roto 0, July 2003 – January 2004
• 2007 – 2009 – Instructor and Standards Officer, Canadian Forces Chaplain School and Centre, Borden, ON
• 2009 – 2010 – Chaplain, Canadian Forces Support Unit Ottawa; Deployed September 2009 – November 2009, Task Force Afghanistan
• 2010 – 2013 – Assistant Army Chaplain, Canadian Army HQ
• 2013 – 2015 – Chaplain Recruiting, Office of the Chaplain General
• 2017 – 2018 – Chaplain, Canadian Forces Support Unit Ottawa; Special assignment, Gabarone, Botswana. January 2018 – Instructor – Military Chaplaincy training progra
• 2018 – 2022 – Chaplain, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, Ottawa
• 2022 – 2023 – Formation Chaplain, MARPAC, Canadian Navy
• 2023 – 2025 – Chaplain, Chief Professional Conduct and Culture
• 2025 – Present – Chaplain, Royal Canadian Air Force

Other Work Experience

1989 – 1993    Canadian Forces Army Reserves – Administration Clerk – Corporal
Approximately half completed part time while in studies and half through full time contracts.

Military and Ecclesiastical Committee Work

1997 – 1999 – Chair – Aboriginal Rights Coalition (ecumenical coalition)
2001 – 2004 – Urban Rural Mission – Subcommittee of Faith and Order, World Council of Churches, Theological Reflector
2002 – 2007 – Local Chair, Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group, 8 Wing Trenton
2007 – 2011 – Regional Chair, Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group, Ontario Region
2011 – 2013 – National Chair, Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group
2018 – Present – Member of Bishop’s Council, Anglican Military Ordinariate
2023 – Present – Principal Chaplain – Emergent Traditions in The Royal Canadian Chaplain Service – Supporting the needs of Humanist, Buddhist, Unitarian Universalist, Indigenous Traditional, and Sikh Chaplains
2024 – Present – Indigenous Advisor to the Chaplain General
2024 – Present – Member, Assembly of Defence Team Indigenous Advisors
2024 – 2025 – Co-Chair Apology Working Group, CAF Systemic Racism Class Action
2025 August – Committee member – Public Service Pride Week Planning Committee. Planned first Defence Team national level Two Spirit/Indigiqueer Event
2025 October – Led committee planning a celebration ceremony for new permission for the wearing of Indigenous crafted poppies while in uniform
2025 – Present – Co-Chair – Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples

Honours and Awards

2004 – General Service Medal
2020 – Canadian Forces Decoration with clasp
2025 – King’s Coronation Medal

Personal Information

I am a member of Moose Cree First Nation and am canonically resident in the Diocese of Ontario. I have always loved creative arts and take great joy in sewing clothes and traditional Cree beadwork. I teach beadwork workshops for allies and Indigenous people wishing to regain their culture. I began beginner Moose Cree lessons last year, to both learn the language and to understand more of my father’s culture.

I am married to Stewart, an Air Combat Systems Officer, and we have a teenage daughter Sarah. As a family we love our Friday movie night, building Lego, and listening to classic vinyl on our record player.