Michael Bourke RSW (832436)

Registered Social Worker Mikisew Cree First Nation

Licensing: Ontario, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon

Languages: English

Education: Social Service Worker Native Specialization Diploma, Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology Honors of Bachelors Social Work Degree, Laurentian University

Client base: Children, Adolescents

Born and raised in the NWT and Nunavut. I am of Cree descendent of the Mikisew Cree First Nation located in Alberta. My reserve sits in the Treaty 8 territory.

The principles that guide my practice include: The Seven Grandfather Teachings are central to my work and personal life, guiding me to foster growth, connection, and understanding: Wisdom – Embracing knowledge and life experience to make thoughtful, informed decisions. Love – Approaching every interaction with kindness, compassion, and empathy. Respect – Valuing the dignity and worth of each person, honoring their unique perspectives and experiences. Bravery – Facing challenges with courage and standing up for what is right, even in difficult situations. Honesty – Being truthful and transparent, fostering trust and integrity in relationships. Humility – Acknowledging limitations and being open to learning from others and my own experiences. Truth – Upholding honesty and authenticity in relationships and self-reflection.

My approach to helping might include I aim to walk alongside individuals on their healing journey, building strong therapeutic relationships rooted in trust, safety, and mutual respect. I use humor and transparency to create a comfortable environment where clients feel heard, valued, and supported. My approach is client-centered, incorporating evidence-based techniques such as:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Brief Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) skills
• Harm Reduction strategies
• Motivational Interviewing

I work collaboratively with clients to navigate challenges, explore emotions, and achieve personal goals in a way that respects their unique journey. Some gifts I carry in my wholistic healing practices are I bring compassion, cultural knowledge, and a deep commitment to helping individuals uncover their potential and move toward healing. My ability to integrate humor, transparency, and empathy into my practice helps create a safe and open space for exploration and growth. My understanding of the interconnectedness of emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being allows me to support clients in a way that honors their whole self.

I have experience working with Indigenous people in the following areas:

• Youth corrections
• Indigenous children’s aid societies
• Working in Nunavut, which deepened my understanding of diverse Indigenous cultures and enriched my cultural knowledge
• Supporting children, youth, and families dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, and other emotional or psychological challenges

Areas of counselling support:

Abuse: Emotional, Anger Management, Anxiety, Child/Youth, Depression, Panic Attacks, Self-Esteem/Confidence, Self-Harm or Self-Injury, Stress, Trauma-Informed Care.

Michael Bourke RSW (832436) Registered Social Worker Mikisew Cree First Nat... Read More

Samaria Nancy Cardinal MSW. BSW RSW (AB 18180, BC 17723, SK 7750)

Registered Social Worker I am a Citizen of the Otipemisiwak Nation of Alberta (MNA), District 6.

Licensing: Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Northwest Territories

Languages: English, tiny bit of michif and cree.

Education: Master of Social Work Clinical Practice (April 2024) University of Calgary Bachelor of Social Work - University of Calgary Diploma of Social Work - Mount Royal University

Client base: Teenagers (16+), adults, seniors, groups.

The principles that guide my practice are: traditional ways of knowing and walking in balance using a holistic framework based on the medicine wheel.

My approach to helping includes: Indigenous Focused Therapy where all therapy is done ceremonially. I use trauma-informed practices that are client-centered. The therapeutic techniques I use are narrative and dialectical behaviour therapy.

Some gifts I carry in my holistic healing practices are: meditation, dance therapy, healing with energy and connecting to the land and its medicine.

I have experience working with Indigenous people in the following areas: disability, addiction, homelessness, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, trauma, lateral and physical violence, oppression and racism.

Areas of Counselling Support:

Abuse: Emotional, Abuse: Physical, Addictions, Anger Management, Anxiety, Depression, Loss and Grief, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), Panic Attacks, Self-Esteem / Confidence, Self-Harm or Self-Injury, Sixties Scoop, Stress, Traumatic loss, Two-Spirit, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Witnessing Violence.

Samaria Nancy Cardinal MSW. BSW RSW (AB 18180, BC 17723, SK 7750) Registered Soci... Read More

**Johnny Ongahak RTCc (839863) CIWAW (202511)** Registered Therapeutic Counsellor Candidate/Certified Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Worker

Licensing: Northwest Territories

Languages: English

Education: Professional Counselling Diploma - Certified Life Coach, Rhodes Wellness College Foundations Certification 1&2 (on-going), Vancouver School of Narrative Therapy

Client base: Young Adults, Adults, Seniors, Groups

I am Inuit and Dene, born and raised in Yellowknife. My approach is guided by Inuit and Dene laws, combined with a professional, client-centred, do-no-harm ethic. These values ground every part of my work.

I am one of the few Indigenous counsellors who has worked in the addictions sector in the Northwest Territories. Mainly Yellowknife, NT.

The gifts I bring into session include: lived experience, non-judgement, and a deep understanding of addiction and childhood trauma. Coming from both lived experience and modern training, my approach is rooted in a holistic model of healing—mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional. I believe these quadrants are deeply connected and shaped by both traditional teachings and Western knowledge.

My continued training includes Narrative Therapy (Letter Therapy / You’re the Author of Your Story), DBT-based self-regulation practices (containment, grounding, emotional regulation), and somatic approaches that help clients understand where trauma and emotions are held in the body.

Areas of Expertise

Addictions & Recovery, Anger Management, Anxiety, Depression, Developing Healthy Emotional Expression for Men, Domestic Violence Gendered violence, Identity, Incarceration/ Jail / Prison - healing programs, Loss and Grief, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls/ MMIWG Awareness and Prevention, Panic Attacks, Self-Esteem / Confidence, Sharing Circles, Stress, Trauma-Informed Care, Witnessing Violence.

**Johnny Ongahak RTCc (839863) CIWAW (202511)** Reg... Read More