The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) deeply appreciates the Indigenous leaders who share their wisdom, time, and energy to enhance the practice and understanding of Indigenous counselling and psychotherapy. Their dedication plays a vital role in promoting mental wellness within Indigenous peoples and communities, fostering culturally safe mental health practices, and providing meaningful support.

Although these are not all the individuals involved in the CCPA’s Indigenous initiatives, both the Indigenous Initiatives Team and the Indigenous Circle Chapter play key roles in this work. For over 20 years, the Indigenous Circle Chapter has been dedicated to raising awareness of issues affecting Indigenous counsellors, clients, families, and communities, while creating opportunities for learning, collaboration, and professional growth. The Indigenous Initiatives Team, a newer addition, continues to build on this work, supporting advocacy, outreach, and engagement efforts.

To learn more about the Indigenous Initiatives Team and the Indigenous Circle Chapter, please see below.

About the Indigenous Initiatives Team

The Indigenous Initiatives Team at the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) plays a key role in advancing Indigenous mental health, advocacy, and reconciliation efforts. This team works to ensure Indigenous perspectives are meaningfully integrated into CCPA’s policies, programs, and strategic initiatives, while also fostering relationships with Indigenous communities, professionals, and stakeholders.

The Indigenous Director on CCPA’s national Board of Directors provides critical leadership in advocating for the inclusion of Indigenous mental health and wellness within the Association’s priorities. This role ensures Indigenous perspectives are represented at the highest level of decision-making, shaping policies and programs that support the unique needs of Indigenous peoples.

The Indigenous Advocacy Lead is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by Indigenous counsellors, therapists, and the communities they serve. This role focuses on advocacy, policy development, and research to enhance access to culturally informed mental health services, while also strengthening relationships with key stakeholders.

The Indigenous Relations Lead is responsible for guiding CCPA’s Indigenous relations and reconciliation efforts. This role provides insight on the systemic and institutional challenges that impact Indigenous communities in the context of counselling and psychotherapy, ensuring that Indigenous voices and priorities are centered in the Association’s work.

Together, the Indigenous Initiatives Team is committed to fostering culturally safe, equitable, and accessible mental health supports for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples across Canada.

To learn more about the team members, check out their bios below.

Barbara Milmine

Indigenous Advocacy Lead

Tânisi / Hello,

My name is Barbara Milmine, and I am honoured to introduce myself as the Indigenous Advocacy Lead with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. I am a Cree-Métis clinician, researcher, and policy advocate, and my work is rooted in relationship, community, and a deep respect for the lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples across these lands.

In Indigenous contexts, who we are is shaped by where we come from and who we are accountable to. My background spans clinical practice in both public health and private settings, as well as over two decades of relationship-based work with Indigenous community leaders, organizations, partners, and system leaders to advance Indigenous-led policy and advocacy. This work has continually reinforced for me that meaningful change happens through listening, trust, and sustained relationships.

In my role at CCPA, I am here to support Indigenous advocacy priorities, amplify Indigenous voices within the counselling and psychotherapy professions, and help identify systemic barriers that affect Indigenous practitioners, students, and the communities they serve. I invite members to connect with me – whether you are navigating an issue, seeking guidance, wanting to share concerns, or simply hoping to build relationship.

I look forward to learning from you and walking this work together.

[email protected]

Lindsay Ashmore

Indigenous Relations Lead

Lindsay Ashmore (she/her) MPS-AT, CT, CCC-S, RCAT-S, SEP, SMT. Lindsay is a Métis, Cree woman residing in Amiskwaciwâskahikan, Treaty 6 Territory. Her roots include Indigenous and European settler origins, with Métis and Cree ancestry, as well as Celtic, Scottish, French, English, and Ukrainian heritage. As such, walking in two worlds has been an instrumental part of her life path. Lindsay is a body-centred, expressive-arts counselling therapist, clinical supervisor, educator, wayfinder, and Auntie. She is a Wellness Auntie and Counselling Therapist who works in community and private practice, and liaises with the local health and education systems, including as an adjunct teaching faculty member at St. Stephen’s College/University of Alberta and the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute. She is the newly appointed Indigenous Relations Lead with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and is thrilled to collaboratively carry forward the good work of those whose dedication and care created the space for Indigenous initiatives at the CCPA.

Lindsay’s professional practice lies at the intersection of transformational learning, embodiment, creativity, and personal development. She has a passion for creating transformative learning experiences that decenter settler colonialism and recenter curiosity, fostering multiple perspectives alongside dialogue. She has a particular interest in supporting wellness and mental health holistically, as well as helping professionals in the health and learning systems cultivate self-awareness and therapeutic presence through reflective and reflexive practice, which can serve as a means to enhanced ethical practice and wellbeing.

Learning from elders and those who have walked before is important to Lindsay’s well-being and her practice. Engaging in oral traditions, mentorship, and ceremony ever deepens her spirit and purpose. It is her heartfelt intent to offer others a safe and sacred space to connect with and discover or recover their inherent purpose and gifts, too. She is currently an Auntie with Kihew Awsis Wakamik Cultural Society and is grateful to be connected with this growing community that supports and uplifts Indigenous resilience and sovereignty as pathways to awakening and reclaiming our traditions and lifeways.

[email protected]

About the Indigenous Circle Chapter

CCPA’s Indigenous Circle Chapter (ICC) provides a dedicated space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous counsellors to connect, collaborate, and advocate for Indigenous mental health. As one of several CCPA Chapters, the ICC functions as a professional network where members can engage in meaningful discussions, share knowledge, and advance practices that support Indigenous clients, families, and communities.

The ICC plays a vital role in raising awareness and strengthening Indigenous representation within the Association. It fosters opportunities for members to exchange effective practices, access resources, and contribute to the evolution of Indigenous-centred mental health approaches. Through webinars and professional development activities, the ICC promotes the integration of Indigenous healing methods with Western-based therapeutic approaches, supporting culturally safe and responsive mental health care.

To learn more about the Indigenous Circle Chapter, click here.