She got her start caring for the land, then she learned how to care for its people. Kristielyn Jones is from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories and now lives in Yellowknife. She is Dene from Yellowknife Dene First Nation and has been sober for six and a half years. She graduated from the professional counselling diploma program at Rhodes Wellness College, completing an Indigenous-specific program.  

Previously, Jones completed the Environment and Natural Resources Technology Diploma Program, but due to her addictions it took her five years to complete the two year program. Her teacher encouraged her to finish, something she struggled with due to shame at how long it was taking. He believed in her and she found her way to completing her credential at last. She went on to help create a land guardian program and do advocacy work. While at a conference, she had a moment of realization that she wanted to be serving people more directly and she started doing life coaching, alongside administrative and janitorial work. She did that work until she went back to school for her counselling diploma.

Jones was in the middle of a family crisis when she started the program but kept coming back. She found the program supportive despite her difficult personal circumstances. As she was studying, she learned different practices like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy and somatic therapy and had the chance to practice her skills with direct client hours.

If she could give advice to Indigenous students leaving their home communities looking for opportunities she would recommend getting your support system in order in advance, ensuring any recovery supports like 12 step programs or counselling are available, finding out what financial resources are available and being as fiscally responsible as possible. Time management is something she sees as important for avoiding burnout and also not underestimating oneself.

“We come from really strong bloodlines and so our ancestors are walking with us every step of the way. By making these life decisions and investing in our future, in our education, we are honouring them in a good, good way. It's truly a blessing to be able to move forward in this way towards education,” she affirms.

When it comes to obstacles, Jones grew up with a lot of dysfunction from intergenerational trauma that was normalized. She had to be kind and compassionate to herself as she went through the realization about the reality of the situation and about the impacts of her own addictions. She went through therapy and focused on her culture, spirituality and education. She participated in a 12-step program to improve boundaries, communication, relationships and gain perspective. Doing that inner work created big changes in her life which was ultimately for the better but came with their own challenges.

In moving away from family influences which were unhealthy, she ended up homeless and in a shelter until she could find housing, something that was hard on her and her son. She had to learn to trust her instinct and not be afraid while going through that experience. She also struggled with grief, financial issues and worry of risks she might encounter while unhoused as an Indigenous woman. Through self-advocacy, her faith and the support of others, she was able to find housing and get help. Now she can share about her experience and encourage kindness knowing firsthand that you never know what people are going through.

As far as inspiration goes, Jones looks to her North Star and guiding light: her son who she considers to be her “miracle baby”. Her dog is also important to her. She invests in both of them as her family through her education, work, and teachings. She is trying to be there for her son in hopes of influencing future generations. She wanted to be closer to him through her entrepreneurship, making sure she could be there when he needed her. The people in her community and Indigenous leaders inspire her, too. When she hears about people getting sober, she gets newly inspired. Elders sharing their teachings and their time with her give her hope as well.

After getting her start caring for the land, she learned how to care for its people. From Environment and Natural Resources Technology to life coaching to counselling, Kristielyn Jones’ career path has been winding but satisfying. Overcoming personal challenges to pursue her education at every turn, she has been determined to rise above and expand her capacity to help.  

“We come from really strong bloodlines and so our ancestors are walking with us every step of the way.”

Thank you to Alison Tedford Seaweed for writing this article!