Richard Wolff

Resolution Health Support Worker / Elder & Cultural

I am Yuuhlimgath K'aylimksit (counsellor of young men), and my English name is Richard Wolff. I am from the house of Skagtiin and of Gisk'ansnaat and Laxgibuu Tribes.    

I hold a Wellness Counselling Diploma from Rhodes Wellness College. I work as an RHSW with IRSSS, providing emotional and mental health support to Indian Residential School Survivors, Intergenerational Survivors, and their families.   

I also get called out to provide one-to-one crisis support. Our team gets asked to support mental health and wellness initiatives and First Nation crisis response at the community level. Working with elders and survivors has given me great validation in my healing journey and, as a result, has allowed me to express and share my experiences and promote Indigenous ways of knowing.   

Because of our Indigenous survivors and community, I have found the courage to look at myself, learn to sit with my own story in a safe way, and, as a result, figure out my role in colonization and take on the leadership opportunities highlighted and do that work with willingness. My experiential knowledge from my interpersonal work has created a deep understanding of the people I serve. It allows me to hold the validation given to me, see our people with great enthusiasm, and recognize those whose stories have yet to be listened to.   

I get to empower people to advocate for themselves or support them as they change their lives. I am honoured to witness people on their healing journey. I assist with validating their emotions. I watch their progress, help them unpack their trauma, understand their feelings, and hear what happened to them in one-to-one sessions. The feedback that I am getting shows me that I am on the right path; I get to see all the communities, and it inspires me to go down the path of self-betterment and, as a result, teaches me the true meaning and importance of self-determination.