
Kelly Hawreliak
Kelly Hawreliak is a member of the Bigstone Cree Nation and a passionate advocate for culturally supported care for Indigenous peoples. Her own re-connection with her Indigenous roots has been a vital part of her personal healing journey. This process deeply informs her compassionate and culturally grounded approach to supporting others. With a Master’s degree in Counselling, Kelly specializes in trauma and violence-informed care. Her practice integrates traditional knowledge, culturally safe practices, and a deep respect for Indigenous ways of knowing and being. As a mental health and wellness therapist, she works alongside children, youth and families to reclaim wellness through connection, ceremony, and healing-centred engagement.
Kelly also brings her expertise as a skilled facilitator, leading workshops in Indigenous Awareness, Traditional Parenting, and as a circle keeper. Through this work, she helps create spaces for dialogue, reflection, and cultural revitalization, helping others reconnect to community and identity. Along with her colleagues, Kelly has witnessed the profound disconnect that exists between mainstream mental health services and the unique needs of Indigenous clients. She is committed to addressing barriers such as financial constraints and limited access to culturally relevant care, advocating for more equitable, inclusive, and empowering supports. Her work is driven by the belief that healing is not only possible, but deeply transformative when rooted in culture, community, and connection.
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Kelly is an Indigenous Counsellor from Bigstone Cree Nation with an undergrad in Child and Youth Care from Vancouver Island University (Delivered at MacEwan University), and a Masters of Counselling at City University of Seattle