Trainers and Consultants

Kelley is Néhiyaw from the Sturgeon Lake and Montreal Lake communities in Saskatchewan. He holds a master’s degree in Indigenous Social Work, and currently works as a mental health therapist, trainer, researcher, and international guest lecturer for several universities. Kelley has been part of a number of university and community-based research teams applying Indigenous methodological teachings. In his work, he draws from lessons learned through ceremonial practices and knowledge systems such as talking/healing circles, the Medicine Wheel, and land, as well as the sweat lodge, fasting, and the Sundance.

Kelley is a Sixties Scoop survivor. He was unjustly scooped from his family and community as a toddler, depriving him of his cultural roots and Indigeneity. Kelley was raised in Ontario with an English name and no connection to his roots, along with all the trauma and emotional displacement this causes. As a young adult, he made a life-changing decision one night that he continues to regret and heal from. His actions changed his life, and sadly ended another person’s. Kelley took ownership of his actions and served more than a decade in prison. Through connections with other Indigenous men and Indigenous healing programs he found hope and began his journey to becoming the man he is today.

Through a radical second change, Kelley has been given the unique opportunity to give back to his community in various ways that have included working with homeless populations, HIV/AIDS projects, and youth projects. He speaks passionately on restorative justice issues and supporting cultural revitalization and healing. Kelley draws on his own history and experiences when training to bring a unique lens to grief, trauma, lateral violence, and restorative justice to support communities as he works alongside excellent Spirits.