ABOUT US
Bonafide Wellness & Consulting is an Indigenous-owned collective of mental health therapists offering culturally grounded support to individuals, families, and communities.
We honour traditional knowledge, lived experience, and modern therapeutic practices to support healing in all forms
Kelly Reader, MSW, RSW
AB #14328 SK #5718
780-870-4142
Kelly Reader is an Indigenous mental health therapist and the founder of Bonafide Wellness & Consulting. She brings over 20 years of frontline and leadership experience in mental health, child welfare, and community wellness. Her approach is grounded in traditional knowledge, strength-based practice, and trauma-informed care.
Kelly works with individuals, families and organizations through a culturally responsive lens, helping clients reconnect to their spirit, story, and strength. She is passionate about creating space for healing that is safe, relational and empowering.
Kelly has completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) through the University of Calgary with a clinical specialization in working with individuals, families, and groups. She is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with licenses in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. She completed her BSW through the University of Calgary and has pursued additional training through Athabasca University, Red Deer Polytechnic University, the University of Alberta, and Lakeland College in Lloydminster, AB.
She is also a certified Gladue Report Writer, having received training through the Indigenous Perspectives Society (IPS) in Victoria, BC, under Dr. Jane Dickson (PhD), and is available to provide Gladue Reports for Saskatchewan.
In 2022, she obtained EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) certification in Halifax, NS through Leading Edge Seminars under Roy Keissling (LCSW).
Kelly is currently completing her clinical post-master’s supervision with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) to be listed on the Clinical Registry of Alberta. She will also be applying for a PhD in the fall to begin in 2026.
At Bonafide Wellness, Kelly provides culturally grounded mental health therapy, specializing in support for Indigenous individuals, Elders, and families.
She offers personal development workshops, grief and loss support, and creates wellness resources such as e-books and bundles.
Kelly also delivers community-based initiatives such as anti-bullying presentations with Plains Cree teachings and family retreats.
In addition, Bonafide Wellness offers strategic planning, audits, and management consulting for child welfare and Indigenous organizations—supporting everything from multi-year strategic plans to emergency program development and post-majority services for youth aging out of care.
As a Reiki Master Level 3, Kelly also offers energy healing sessions to support holistic well-being.
Each service is delivered with a deep commitment to cultural safety, community engagement, and Indigenous values.
Caroline Feser
BSW, RSW SK #5951
780-870-2277
Caroline Feser is a dedicated child welfare expert extensive frontline and leadership experience supporting Indigenous youth and families.
She is passionate about healing the whole family–not just advocating for children and youth, but walking alongside mothers and caregivers to support intergenerational healing and strengthen family systems.
Caroline’s approach is deeply relational, strengths-based, and community-rooted.
Her ability to connect with young people, create safe spaces, and elevate Indigenous voices makes her a powerful ally for children and youth and a respected leader in the child welfare field.
Caroline holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and brings years of experience in case management, crisis response, and frontline supervision.
She specializes in child welfare mgmt and audit, systems consultation, and post-majority support services.
Caroline is a trusted resource for youth navigating life transitions out of care and excels in advocacy, relational practice, and culturally grounded approaches.
She is currently in her Master of Social Work (MSW) through the University of Calgary with an expected completion of April 2026.
Caroline is a dedicated mental health therapist with extensive experience supporting Indigenous individuals, youth, and families through culturally safe and trauma-informed care.
At Bonafide Wellness, she provides one-on-one therapy, facilitates wellness workshops, and contributes to community-based programs that promote healing and resilience.
With a strong background in management and a deep understanding of child welfare systems, Caroline plays a key leadership role in strategic planning, organizational consulting, and the development of post-majority programs for youth aging out of care.
Her expertise ensures that every initiative is grounded in Indigenous values, community collaboration, and a commitment to long-term systemic change.
Dakota Sexsmith
CISW, BISW, RSW SK #5410
306-262-1125
Dakota is a Saulteaux man originally from Yellow Quill First Nation located in Treaty Four territory, who first moved to Lloydminster in 1997 and remained until 2011. For the past decade, Dakota has been living, working, and studying in Saskatoon, SK, graduating from the First Nations University of Canada in 2020 with a certificate and bachelor's degree of Indigenous Social Work. He is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work with clinical specialization through the University of Calgary.
Dakota is a trained grief & loss Edu-Specialist and has specialized training in mediation and de-escalation. He has worked in the human service field for many years and has been registered with the SASW (Saskatchewan College of Social Workers) for the past four years, all of which have been with Indigenous community-based programs throughout Saskatchewan.
Dakota specializes with the LGBTQ2+, youth and Elder demographic. He shares his expertise with grief & loss, anxiety, depression, addiction, and Indian Residential School (IRS) trauma by practicing narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and solution focused therapy along with anti-oppressive, strength-based and traditional Indigenous healing modalities.
Patricia Pahtayken
BISW, RSW SK #7018
780-870-1605
Patricia Pahtayken is a passionate Indigenous mental health therapist with a focus on supporting children and youth through play therapy and culturally informed care.
Patricia is committed to empowering children and youth through creative, relational, and land-connected approaches that foster resilience and holistic growth.
Patricia holds a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work (BISW) from the First Nations University (FNU) of Canada and also has a diploma in Early Childhood Development.
Patricia has completed advanced training in both Play Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for children. She brings a grounded, trauma-informed presence to her sessions, helping young clients express emotions, develop coping strategies, and process difficult experiences through developmentally appropriate methods.
Patricia is a gifted mental health therapist at Bonafide Wellness, known for her natural connection with children and her gentle, intuitive approach—truly a “child whisperer.”
Specializing in play therapy, she creates safe, nurturing spaces where children can express themselves, heal, and grow. Patricia brings deep cultural awareness and compassion to her work with Indigenous families, supporting both children and caregivers through trauma-informed care.
She also facilitates workshops, delivers engaging school presentations, and plays an active role in post-majority support services for youth transitioning out of care. With experience in child and family services, Patricia contributes meaningfully to community wellness programming, family retreats, and the development of culturally grounded initiatives that prioritize the well-being of Indigenous children and their communities.
