Kayla Ironstar

Kayla is currently residing on Treaty Six Territory and Homeland of the Métis in Saskatoon. She currently works as the Social Worker for Oskayak High School and actively participates in ceremonies and volunteers her time within the school to assist students in regalia making, ribbon skirts/shirts, sweat lodges, and cultural advisors. She also actively volunteers in the community with Elders and knowledge keepers, and is a pipe carrier. She holds a woman's pipe for her family and only uses it on occasion. She is a mental health therapist and actively contributes mental health strategies and Indigenous ways of knowing within her practice based on the clientele and need of the individual.

Kayla believes that she would be a beneficial asset with SaskCulture based on her background and experience as an Indigenous woman and living with intergenerational trauma and breaking cycles in the community within her practice, work and daily life. She currently sits on the board of SASW and has been in leadership roles in university. In her career, she has supervised and done group therapy circles, sharing circles, and been involved in sweatlodges actively and Sundances.

Kayla was raised as a parentified child. She had her oldest daughter at 15, which taught her early life experiences such as independent living and renting at an early age. She raises her children in ceremony and teach them the western way of living and traditional way of living and how to walk in both worlds.

Kayla’s mother graduated from Lebret Residential School and her father escaped the Sixties Scoop, both parents have been through addiction and currently reside in Saskatoon. She has learned and been taught, through faith and prayer, both belief systems of Christianity and Spirituality. This resiliency in has taught her to obtain an educational background, and she now holds a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work degree and is currently studying a Masters of Indigenous Education, pertaining to her interest and study with the educational systems for Indigenous and Westernized ideologies for students.

Kayla currently lives in Saskatoon, and has five children, which makes for an interesting livelihood and busy life. However, she believes it is the best interest of the community and children to continue to work and advocate in our communities to the best of our ability. Her oldest son is autistic and has taught her family patience, and kindness.

Kayla believes in working to make this world a better place for our youth, in culture, community and wellness.