Author Archives: siksiAdmin

• Meet Angie Sarsons, Siksika Health Services New CEO

  April 2, 2025 3:56 pm Leave a Comment

  Siksika Health Services’ new Chief Executive Officer: Angela (“Angie”) Sarsons!

  Angie is a member of Moose Cree First Nation, Moose Factory, Ontario, and is of Cree and French descent. She was born and raised in Northern Ontario, relocated to BC for the past fifteen years, and is now joining us in Alberta to lead our health & wellness services offered on Siksika Nation.

  Angie has dedicated her career to serving Indigenous communities and organizations, bringing more than 20 years of senior-level management experience. In addition to her leadership roles, she has provided consulting and training in governance, strategic planning, management, health planning, education, and economic development. Angie has held senior roles with the Shuswap Indian Band, was the Band Manager for Wei Wai Kum First Nation, and Executive Director of Misiway Community Health Centre. As Director of Health for Moose Cree First Nation, she successfully led the community through the Health Transfer Process with the Federal Government.

  We are confident that our incoming CEO brings the right blend of experience, vision, and leadership to guide our organization successfully through its next chapter of growth and impact. Please join us in welcoming Angie to Siksika Nation, and to Siksika Health Services!

• Safe Sleep Week 2025

  March 13, 2025 4:03 pm Leave a Comment

  Mar. 10-14 is Safe Sleep Week! Here are some tips to create a safer sleep environment for your baby, helping reduce the risk of sleep-related incidents and promote healthy rest.

  The only products your baby needs for a safe sleep are:

  • a crib, cradle or bassinet that meets Canada safety regulations 
  • a firm, flat mattress with a tightly fitted sheet 
  • simple, fitted sleepwear, like a sleeper

  As a general rule, avoid products:

  • Some products that you may find in stores or online that might not be safe for sleep include:
    • baby nests, pods, loungers and other soft products like bedding sets, pillows, bumper pads, crib mattress pads and nursing pillows 
    • crib wedges, sleep positioners, inclined sleepers, baby hammocks 
    • bed-side sleepers and in-bed sleepers 
    • crib tents 

  Before you buy, check for product recalls and advisories, and ask yourself if:

  • the product is safe for your baby 
  • it’s safe for you baby to fall asleep in the product
  • you know how to use this product safely 

  For those who bed-share with your baby, here are some tips for safer bedsharing:

  • Refrain from smoking
  • Sober adults only
  • Breastfeeding is encouraged because breastfed babies wake up more easily from deep sleep
  • Safest when done with healthy, full-term babies
  • Lay baby on back, face up
  • Light clothing, no swaddling to prevent overheating
  • Safe surface – no soft mattress, no pillows, no clutter, and ensure any gaps are firmly filled

• March is Nutrition Month!

  March 6, 2025 2:35 pm Leave a Comment

  Our Koo-koosinooniiks (Our Children) Nutrition program will be helping us provide essential nutrition tips for mothers. This isn’t possible without our amazing prenatal nurses. We’d love to introduce them to you!

  Yassamin Erickson

  

  
  “My name is Yassamin Erickson, I am registered nurse and I have been working in Siksika for the past 7 years. I am the mom of two wonderful and busy girls. I enjoy spending time in nature and hiking with my family. I’ve always loved caring for and educating others, and a career in nursing seemed to best fit this passion. I love connecting with moms and supporting them as they navigate their postpartum period.
  I especially enjoy accompanying moms on their breastfeeding journeys . Being able to breastfeed your baby is such a rewarding experience and beautiful gift for your baby, but it can at times be a challenging new skill to learn. That is why I decided to become a certified lactation consultant in order to best assist moms as they take on this new endeavour.
  Our team will do its best to support you however you need, through at home and in clinic visits, phone calls and texts. We’ll try our best to answer any questions or concerns you may have prenatally or postpartum, and we will connect you to any resources you need to ensure you and your family are healthy.“

  
  Kit Livingston

  

  
  “Oki! My name is Kit Livingston. I grew up on a ranch on the Matzhiwin Creek, north of Brooks. My family were immigrants from the US & Europe and include a Swedish midwife who lived down by Kainai. I raised my 5 kids in the Kootenays, where I became a doula, a childbirth educator, and a breastfeeding advocate. When my youngest baby started kindergarten, I enrolled in the UVic/Selkirk College nursing program. I also completed the BCIT post-graduate perinatal nursing program. Living in a rural community, I had the opportunity to work in a variety of nursing areas, including HomeCare, acute mental health, med/surg, and maternity care. In 2014, I returned to Blackfoot territory with my children, to support my elderly father. Being on the Land again sparked an intense desire to understand the true history of my community, a desire which eventually led to employment as a Community Health Nurse at Siksika. My focus at SHS is supporting families in providing the best possible care for their babies, before and after birth. My time here is the highlight of my career. Thank you to the Niitsitapi who have been so kind and welcoming to this Naapiikoan.“
  

  Kelly Culp

  

  
  “My name is Kelly Culp, I am registered nurse of 22 yrs, and I have been working in Community Health @ Siksika for over a year. Prior to this I worked for Siksika Home Care for many years, Bassano Hospital, Palliative Care Calgary, Home Care Strathmore and Labour and Delivery @ PLC. I have also became a doula and assisted Midwives at Home Births. I am the mom of four kids ages 17, 15, 13 and 4. I enjoy spending time on my acreage in my garden and with my animals. In the winter you can usually find me at an arena cheering on one of my kids. I became a nurse because it seemed like a good fit for my rural farming background and came as a natural transition to be able to help others and my community. I love my work at Siksika and am honoured to support the moms and young families through some of the most exciting and vulnerable chapters of their lives. I am very passionate about empowering/supporting women to help them grow healthy and happy families.
  Our team will do its best to support you however you need, through at home and in clinic visits, phone calls and texts. We’ll try our best to answer any questions or concerns you may have prenatally or postpartum, as well as during the early childhood years and we will connect you to any resources you need to ensure you and your family are healthy.“

  Koo-koosinooniiks – Prenatal Nutrition Program Info

  Similar to the former CPNP program, the goal is to support the health of women throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period.

  Women part of this program have access to prenatal & postnatal education, classes, food hampers, resources and nutrition support. The maternal child program is also available for young families needing additional support in the early childhood years.

  1 on 1 Nursing Support

  Once a month each client has direct access to the prenatal nurse for 1 on 1 support. During the visit the nurse provides teaching on the client’s current stage of pregnancy including:

  • Changes for mom and baby during the prenatal period.
  • Upcoming prenatal tests and community events
  • Common discomforts and at home remedies
  • Any questions the client has related to her pregnancy, her baby, or what to expect in the future

  During these visits clients will receive a nutrition voucher to support healthy eating for the family.

  How to get involved?

  An Intake Appointment is the initial meeting between you and our nurses. This initial appointment lasts about 45 minutes and allows for the client and nurse to get to know each other.

  Each client will receive a resource package that includes a pregnancy and early childhood book set, nutrition resources, breastfeeding information package, and their first Nutrition Voucher.

  You can contact the community health nurse to set up an appointment or your prenatal primary care provider can refer you directly.

• Successful Hearing Health Check Day at Siksika Elders Lodge

  February 5, 2025 2:26 pm Leave a Comment

  In partnership with Siksika Elders Services, Siksika Elders Lodge hosted the Ears to You – hearing health check day for our Siksika Gahsiinooniiks (Elders) on January 24^th, 2025 where the day turned out to be very successful, as we had spots for 10 people and all appointments were filled.

  

  It is known that at times, especially in the wintertime that transportation or travelling distances can be an issue.  So, after some research, Siksika Elders Lodge Team Leader connected with Ears to You representative – Christa Cloherty to arrange this first test pilot date on-site at the Siksika Elders Lodge, so our Elders did not have to travel too far from Siksika to get a hearing health test.

  Hearing health is so important for a person’s health, wellbeing and safety and as a preventative measure we are encouraging our Elders or those soon to be 65 years old to have their hearing checked.

  Our next scheduled dates are February 25^th. 2025 at the Siksika Elders Lodge, if you are an Elder or are caring for an Elder in Community and are interested in booking an appointment, please contact Siksika Elders Lodge at 403-734-5730 or Siksika Elders Services at 403-734-5747.

  The appointments on-site are about 1 hour each and we encourage arrival of at least 15-20 mins prior to prepare or fill out any paperwork, most details are obtained a week or two prior.

  The Ears to You Team follows up with NIHB or other benefits providers to obtain coverage for any recommended hearing aids and will follow up with you or your family member if needed.  However, please continue to seek the guidance of your regular physician if needed, as there can be other causes of hearing loss.

  Siksika Elders Lodge in partnership with Elders Services will continue to seek partners to help provide preventative solutions for our Elderly or those aged 55 and older to help them to age gracefully and safely in our community.

  In the near future, we will also be working on a new strategy to launch in this new year that will provide Caregivers at home caring for the Elderly, practical advice and educational techniques to help them help their loved ones safely, announcements to come soon.

  Special thank you to Siksika Elders Services – Larry and Cultural Liaison Floria who helped with this special day with transportation or translation and to Christa, Justin and Trish of Ears to You.

  What can hearing loss cause?

  Hearing loss can significantly impact daily life by making communication difficult, leading to social isolation, frustration, and decreased quality of life, as people may struggle to understand conversations, miss important information, and feel left out of social situations, especially in noisy environments; this can affect relationships, work performance, and overall well-being. 

  Key ways hearing loss affects daily life:

  Communication difficulties:

  • Difficulty following conversations, especially in groups or with background noise 
  • Needing to ask people to repeat themselves frequently 
  • Misunderstanding information due to inability to hear subtle sounds 
  • Challenges with phone calls

  Social isolation:

  • Avoiding social gatherings due to fear of not being able to hear 
  • Feeling left out of conversations and unable to fully participate 
  • Reduced social interaction and potential loneliness 

  Emotional impact:

  • Frustration and annoyance at not being able to hear 
  • Embarrassment or self-consciousness about asking for repetition 
  • Decreased self-esteem and confidence 
  • Potential for depression and anxiety 

  Safety concerns:

  • Difficulty hearing important sounds like car horns, smoke alarms, or doorbells 
  • Increased risk of accidents due to reduced situational awareness 

  Work implications:

  • Challenges in meetings and collaborating with colleagues 
  • Difficulty following instructions or receiving important information 
  • Potential limitations in career advancement 

  

  Important points to consider:

  Severity of hearing loss: The impact of hearing loss varies depending on the degree of hearing loss. 

  Age and lifestyle: Older adults may experience greater social isolation due to hearing loss. 

  Treatment options: Hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive technologies can significantly improve quality of life for people with hearing loss. 

• 2024 Run As One Youth Award Submissions

  July 30, 2024 11:42 am Leave a Comment

  The 2024 Run As One Youth Awareness Week is coming up and Siksika Health Services is excited to connect youth with meaningful information about life and careers.

  TRANSPORTATION INFO (Updated August 6th)

  Transportation will be provided for youth and families that would like to attend the Run As One Youth Gala Night at the Strathmore Civic Centre at 6:00pm.

  Busses will provide transportation from 3 designated Siksika locations; Cluny, Deerfoot Sportplex and M&R Gas Station, to Strathmore, and back. Busses will be leaving by 5:00pm and will return approximately by 9:30pm.

  For more information and/or if you like to sign up for a spot, please call 403-901-6580.

  An important highlight for the organization is to showcase amazing young people in Siksika in their successes and achievement.

  This year’s iteration of the event will include the youth conference, a unity ride, sports day, and a youth gala.

  Below is the form to nominate a youth in one of 7 categories:

  • Athletics/Sports – athletes, coaches, etc. achievements in this area from the last year.
  • Careers – youth in careers of health, administration, social services, housing, public works, human resources/services, armed forces, veterans, media, journalism, business, commerce, entrepreneurs, law, justice, technology, etc.
  • Culture, Heritage, Spirituality – spiritual leaders, traditional language speakers, or practice their culture, etc.
  • Education/Academics – students, graduates, college/university graduates, teachers, educational assistants, researchers, etc.
  • Youth Leadership – youth who possess characteristics of a positive role model within the community and instill community pride
  • Honouring Life – youth, youth workers, social workers, teacher, etc.; the award recognizes an individual who has contributed in a significant way to prevent issues surrounding mental health and suicide.
  • Humanitarian “Star” Award – an individual with a disability that displays efforts that enhance accessibility, independence, and inclusion for people with disabilities and disability issues and/or work that improves the lives of a person or people with disabilities.

  Eligibility Requirements

  • Nominees must be individuals who:
    • are of First Nations heritage; and are a member or connection to the Siksika community
    • demonstrate outstanding achievement;
    • are youth ages 29 years and under and/or a student  

  Deadline

  The deadline to nominate individuals for the 2024 Run As Youth Awards is Monday, August 5, 2024 at 11:59pm.

  Nomination forms and accompanying support letters must be received by the deadline date.

  Please note, successful recipients will be asked to attend the Run As One Youth Gala Night on the evening of August 7, 2024.    

  If you have any questions, please contact:
  Hannah Breaker | hannahb@siksikahealth.com | 403.901.6580

• Matrix Graduates Shine: Empowering Success Stories

  May 17, 2024 12:18 pm Leave a Comment

  Vanessa Doore, B.HSc. – Addictions Team Leader

  The Addictions program has been undergoing the restructuring of our service deliveries; the new framework includes evidence-based practices that prioritizes the needs of the clients by incorporating an evidence based model for recovery; “Stages of Change”. Rather than focusing on the immediate addiction, this model focuses on changing the behavioral of the individual to address the addiction.

  Substance abuse and addiction is an individualized disease; therefore, the treatment programs are designed specifically to address each clients’ needs. The focus is to establish a relationship with the client and providing them with one-on-one support throughout their recovery journey. This program was designed utilizing evidence-based interventions and traditional models to provide a comprehensive holistic treatment- a mind, body, and spirit focus. The 16-week outpatient Matrix program is one of the recovery programs that our services implemented to support the preparation & maintenance stage of recovery.  The Matrix Model combines a variety of behavioral therapies to promote positive and healthy changes to an individual’s thoughts and behaviors that lead to substance abuse. The Matrix program incorporates cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), contingency management, 12-step support groups, motivational interviewing, and family therapy.

  We are pleased to announce that we had 16 clients complete the first 16-week Matrix Outreach program. To register the for the fall Matrix session please call the Addictions team at (403) 734-5687.

• Meet the therapists of Siksika Mental Health Services: Continued

  May 16, 2024 3:43 pm Leave a Comment

  The role of a therapist is to jump into the client’s world, and support them in walking out towards healing.

  Therapists don’t give advice, because this would require them to base their input on their own experience. Their role is to support a person through their experience, and journey with them towards healing

  Meet some of our Siksika Mental Health Therapists! We have many as part of our wonderful team.

  Andrea Horwath – Registered Psychologist

  

  Andrea has been working in mental health care for over 10 years. She is a Registered Psychologist who specializes in trauma therapy for PTSD, CPTSD, Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), Anxiety, and Emotional Regulation including anger management,

  Andrea became a psychologist after she worked through years of personal trauma and realized the positive impact it had on her life. She truly loves seeing how mental health therapy can improve the lives of others who take that brave step to ask for support.

  Working with Siksika Nation members is multifaceted due to the intergenerational trauma many have experienced. Each client receives a personal approach to their circumstances. There’s not one specific method that fits every member’s needs. Andrea takes the time to get to know each client as an individual in order to create a plan, with their input, so their healing journey is successful.

  Malvern Nyamande, Clinical Social Worker

  

  My name is Malvern, Melvin, Malv…as long as there is something like a “Mal” or a “Vern” in there. :)  I am a Clinical Social Worker and have been working on Siksika Nation with children, teenagers, families, and parents. 

  I never imagined being a Clinical Social Worker in the beginning. I wanted to be an Accountant because of my parents. My parents thought a career in Accounting would be a ticket out of poverty. Nah!!! I did not want to sit behind a desk the rest of my life therefore I quit. Then I embarked on a journey of truck driving for FedEx Ground, worked at Chicken On the Way, and Home Depot. While working in all these places people always came to me for counselling. From there I decided to pursue Clinical counselling. I guess you can say my love for people brought me to where I am today.

  People who work for Siksika Mental Health are very caring, compassionate, non-judgemental and passionate about what they do. Siksika Mental Health teams are so motivated to see Siksika Nation thrive spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally. We are working hard to reducing and eliminating the stigma around seeking help.  

  Adriana Sorbo – Registered Psychologist and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor

  

  My name is Adriana Sorbo. I am a registered psychologist and a registered play therapist-supervisor. I use play as therapy in my work I with children and families. I live in Calgary with my family, our cat, dog and fish.

  From a young age I knew I wanted to help young people overcome difficult experiences in their lives so they could grow to be intentional contributing community members.

  We each come to our roles as therapists with our own perspectives and life experiences and this gives the team so much depth. What connects us is our commitment to meeting the community’s needs in any way we can.

  Angela Grier – Registered Provisional Psychologist

  

  Oki, my name is Piiohksoopanskii (Singing Loudly Far Away)/ Angela Grier (Piikani/Blackfoot). I am a mother to four incredible human beings and a grandmother to my Meadow. I am extremely honoured to be a part of the Siksika Mental Health Clinic and the Siksika community. I am a Registered Provisional Psychologist and Siksika’s first mental health intern and extremely grateful to Dr. Quintina for this incredible opportunity.

  Throughout my career I have been afforded opportunities to advocate for our people and communities, including providing youth and adult education related to decolonization. As a practitioner, my priority is to support our people, communities, and uplift our youth.  I have had the privilege of working with Siksika Outreach for nearly three years and it is a highlight of my work; while also supporting all ages at our clinic.

  By using combined approaches of Psychotherapy (traditional talk therapy) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, we support clients to gain meaning and control of their lives. As a trained Accelerated Resolution Therapist (ART), we can support clients within a single session. You can learn more about ART at https://acceleratedresolutiontherapy.com.

  As a practicing Blackfoot citizen, I integrate Blackfoot philosophies to integrate cultural and holistic approaches of the Mind, Body and Spirit alongside modern interventions to address our complex and intergenerational trauma. Through Telehealth and video sessions, and in-person, I work to accommodate my clients when faced with transportation barriers.

• Meet the therapists of Siksika Mental Health Services: Conclusion

  3:42 pm Leave a Comment

  The role of a therapist is to jump into the client’s world, and support them in walking out towards healing.

  Therapists don’t give advice, because this would require them to base their input on their own experience. Their role is to support a person through their experience, and journey with them towards healing

  Meet some of our Siksika Mental Health Therapists!

  

  Sally Acquah – Registered Clinical Therapist

  My name is Sally Acquah. I was born in Ghana (West Africa), grew up in France, and have lived in Calgary for 15 years. I love the ocean, and I am a foodie😊 

  My educational background is in Social Work with a Clinical specialization. I pursued this career because I genuinely believe life’s trauma, complex losses and challenges can alter our perception and stories as people. My hope has always been to support individuals and families to acknowledge, process and see beyond the pain as they create healing stories that last for generations.  

  The work done by our mental health therapists can sometimes be unseen, but it vital to the care of Siksika Health Services’ clients and Siksika Nation members.

  Siksika Mental Health is a safe space for everyone. We use various therapeutic modalities to support individuals based on their needs. We integrate traditional practice should an individual request an Elder. Furthermore, we will assist individuals in acquiring the support they need should our service not meet their needs. There is never a better day to start the journey than today- take the step; we are here to support you- what is your story?

  

  Samuel Acquah – Registered Psychologist

  Samuel is a Provisional School Psychologist who is dedicated to serving and contributing to the mental well-being of children, adolescents, and their families. Throughout his career and educational journey, Samuel has been involved in programs that support children’s behavior development. His role has been to assist many children and youth in achieving their behavior and academic goals through therapeutic relationships, role modeling, and mentorship. Samuel is passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of children, and this is evident in his work.

  Samuel holds a Master’s degree in Applied Developmental Psychology and a Master’s degree in School Psychology and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. With his expertise in psychoeducational assessments, Samuel is skilled in assessing learning disorders, ADHD, ASD, and other conditions. Moreover, he provides individual and group counseling to children and adolescents who are dealing with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and behavioral difficulties, among other related challenges.

  Samuel’s commitment to his profession is evident in his work, and his credentials speak for themselves. He is equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to support children and adolescents in achieving their full potential.

  

  Sue Humphrey – Registered Psychology

  I live in Calgary with my husband and have three grown children and a delightful grandson. My passion is spending time with my family and being outdoors, engaged in many activities as well as just sitting quiet in nature.  

  I pursued a career in psychology because of my endless curiosity to listen, learn and find solutions that can enable others to thrive. While in university I worked summers in a mental health setting, which gave me awareness and inspired me to become a psychologist. 

  Siksika Mental Health recognizes the strengths that all individuals bring and how to build self-awareness from a growth mindset. Distress and daily challenges are seen as something to overcome with strategies and determination. 

  

  Brittany Travis – Registered Psychologist

  Brittany is a Registered Psychologist who has been practicing with Indigenous clients since 2011. Brittany started her career working in isolated First Nation communities in northern Alberta and has been working in Siksika since 2020, she predominantly works with school-age populations, at Chief Old Sun School and Siksika Nation High School. Brittany is a compassionate, creative, client-focused psychologist who enjoys collaborating with her clients while blending evidence-based therapeutic principles and strategies that meet her client’s needs. Brittany draws techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and play therapy. Her areas of interest include depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief with children, adolescents and adults.

  Brittany chose a career in counselling psychology in order to positively impact the lives of youth by assisting them in overcoming various obstacles, including mental health concerns, familial disputes, school difficulties, and societal pressures. By offering encouragement, direction, and techniques for coping, Brittany aims to foster resilience and empower young people to achieve their maximum potential. Brittany strongly believes in supporting young people as they navigate their challenges, recognizing that they are the future and deserve the opportunity to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. 

  Cultural sensitivity and trust are vital aspects of Siksika Mental Health Services. Mental health therapists prioritize cultural competence, respecting and understanding the unique cultural context of the Siksika Nation members, and incorporating traditional healing methods and practices when requested. Our team of mental health therapists is committed to maintaining confidentiality and building trust with clients by establishing a secure environment in which individuals feel at ease seeking assistance and discussing their concerns. Our goal is to create a non-judgmental and accepting atmosphere that enables anyone seeking counselling services to access the support they need without fear of stigma. 

  

  Katrina Hewton-Backfat

  Oki, my name is Katrina, and I am a registered Psychologist. My Blackfoot name is Ni’tainahmahakii (One Gun Woman) and it was passed down to me by my late aunt, Esther, who was named by Mark Wolfleg. My grandparents are Philip and Jean Backfat, I have 4 sisters and I have Irish and Scottish heritage on my dad’s side. I was born and raised in Calgary, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Counselling degree at City University of Seattle. 

  I pursued a career in counselling because I have lived and witnessed the impacts of trauma within our communities. I have always had an interest in mental health and believe that one of my gifts is to walk alongside individuals in their healing journey. I believe that it is important for there to be representation of Indigenous psychologists, especially working with the youth. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to witness the strengths and immense gifts that our people have through my work.

  

  Dr. Quintina Bearchief-Adolpho

  Oki, nisto’akoaka Naatoyaimoniisaakii, also known as Dr. Quintina Bearchief-Adolpho, PhD. My parents are the late Clement and Theresa Bear-Chief. I’ve been married to Robert Kaanoiakapuuwai Adolpho for twenty-eight years, and together, we have six children and six grandchildren.

  My bachelor’s degree is in Human Development. My first master’s degree is in School Counseling and the other is in School Psychology. My PhD is in Counseling Psychology. I have worked in the profession of counselling and psychology for over twenty years. I also served my nation as a council member for Siksika Nation Chief and Council. I’m currently the Mental Health and Wellness Clinical Team Leader for Siksika Health Services. As the Clinical Team Leader, I am responsible for developing the Mental Health Counselling Services for the Nation. 

  I grew up hearing Blackfoot stories and have utilized the lessons taught in these stories to guide my life personally and professionally. One story I consistently use in my life is about the sun and the moon. Essentially, the story teaches that the Father, represented by the Sun, rises every day on the horizon in the east and sets every evening on the horizon on the west, unvarying in His course from day to day and year to year. He is stable, unchangeable, reliable, and predictable. The Mother, represented by the Moon, changes each day. She waxes and wanes. She does not just move from east to west, but the moonrise also constantly moves in the opposite direction from west to east. Every day She reappears further to the east before beginning Her movement to the west. The sun and moon work together for us to exist on earth.  We learn from the sun and moon that we each have a vital role to play, making it important for all of us to work together. When we work together, harmony takes place.

• Meet the therapists of Siksika Mental Health Services

  May 14, 2024 1:10 pm Leave a Comment

  The role of a therapist is to jump into the client’s world, and support them in walking out towards healing.

  Therapists don’t give advice, because this would require them to base their input on their own experience. Their role is to support a person through their experience, and journey with them towards healing

  Meet some of our Siksika Mental Health Therapists!

  Maria Red Gun – Registered Provisional Psychologist/Mental Health Intern

  

  My name is Maria Red Gun, I am married to Preston Red Gun for 14 years and have one son. I graduated with my BA in Psychology and double majored in Native American Studies at the University of Montana in July 2015. I graduated with my Master of Counselling in Psychology May 2022 at Yorkville University, New Brunswick.

  My experiences include working at Henry Three Suns Child and Youth Society as a child and youth support worker, worked with Addiction as an addiction case worker and Matrix Facilitator. Now, I am a registered Provisional Psychologist working as a Mental Health Intern as a therapist. 

  I pursued a career in psychology because human behavior had always been an interest of mine and at first, I just wanted to focus on Native American Studies, however mostly picked psychology classes in my undergrad and the advisor talked me into applying to their Psychology program. I also have family members who also pursued the direction of Psychology, and it just became a great interest to me.

  I have worked here at Siksika Health since January 2020 as an addictions case worker and now as a therapist.  We have an amazing team that will go above and beyond to support each other. I believe to have a healthy team it goes a long way because if we’re supportive of each other it makes a huge difference when working with the community, especially when it comes to our own mental health and the mental health of the community.

  Dr. Michele Fercho – Registered Psychologist

  

  I have been a psychologist for 21 years. I have worked at many places, but working at Siksika is my favourite by far. I have two children who are currently in University in Victoria, and when they are away, it is just me and my dog, but he is very good company! I love to hike, ski in the winter, and be active outside. I am currently taking hip hop lessons and love to do yoga.

  I have always been curious about people and what makes them tick. Luckily, I was able to translate that into a career that I love. Plus, it is always a bonus to witness people healing. and feeling better, that is one of the best things about psychology.  Siksika Mental Health is safe space, we work hard to protect privacy and confidentiality. And we are trained to help people manage anxiety, depression, to heal and resolve trauma. Reach out, we are here!

  Dr. Bob Pogue – Registered Psychology

  

  Oki my name is Dr. Bob Pogue and I have been a practicing psychotherapist and counsellor for 25 years.  I have a private practice in Calgary and have also been working at Siksika Nation for close to 8 years. In my position at Siksika, I primarily work with adults and couples and I am drawn to working with trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, and anger management.  I am married and have two adult children.  In my spare time I enjoy woodworking, renovating my house, and going for walks and hikes with my wife. 

  For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with the way our minds work and how at times our minds fool us into patterns of thinking and behaving that are unhealthy or even harmful, and yet we take the unhealthy direction over a healthy one. For equally as long, I have also been fascinated by carpentry, welding, electrical and pretty much everything related to building construction.  Because of this interest I pursued a degree in Engineering and then worked as a petroleum and pipeline engineer for 10 years. After dealing with a difficult divorce and a personal battle with anxiety and depression, I left my engineering career and pursued a Masters degree and Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology.  Eight years ago the Siksika Mental Health team consisted of three therapists and a waiting list that was at least two to four months long.  Now we are a team of 12 clinicians, all with different skills, backgrounds and training and we now have the ability to treat all ages and pretty much all problem areas. 

  Deb Nunziata – Registered Psychologist

  

  I do provide counseling in my private practice but for Siksika I conduct psychoeducational assessments. My primary role is the Student Services Coordinator for Golden Hills School Division. I am a teacher and a registered psychologist with over 30 years of experience.

  As a special education teacher I realized that many children have mental health problems that are barriers to their learning which is why I returned to university and completed a Masters in Educational Psychology. For the past 3 years, I have worked with Alberta Health Services as part of the creative team to develop a Mental Health Literacy resource for elementary-age children.

  I feel it is important that everyone understands that we all have mental health and that there is a difference between mental distress, a mental health problem, and a mental disorder and that using the right language to talk about mental health is critical. Mental health literacy can help reduce stigma and encourages help-seeking behavior. What is good for our body is good for our brain so sleep, exercise, nutrition, and social connection are essential to good mental health.