Holding Circle and Indigenous Healing

I am Mi’kmaw, a proud member of the Acadia First Nation. My journey has been one of healing, resilience, and deep reconnection. I grew up as an urban Indigenous youth, often walking between two worlds. In school, I was labeled “smart but lazy”—a misunderstanding of my undiagnosed ADHD. That experience, combined with the weight of generational trauma, led me down the path of addiction at an early age. 

For many years, I carried the belief that I wasn’t enough. My family’s story is woven into my healing. My grandfather was a residential school survivor. In an effort to protect his children from that same fate, he moved his family across the country—a decision that kept them safe but also created a disconnection from our culture. That disconnection shaped my father’s generation, and it shaped mine. 

As an Indigenous woman who is mostly white-passing, I have often felt the tension of being “not Indigenous enough” to be accepted fully within my community, and yet “Indigenous enough” to face discrimination in other spaces. For years, I carried imposter syndrome, feeling undeserving of our traditional teachings. Now, I have come to believe that these teachings are not meant to be gate-kept. They are gifts for all of us—especially for those of us who are the “lost children” of assimilation.

One of the most transformative moments of my life was the loss of my first son. His passing brought me to my knees, and I relapsed deeply into addiction. But through that darkness, I was also opened to the spirit world and to my own healing path. His short life became a doorway for me, one that led me back to my curiosity, my spirit, and my community.

With the birth of my second son, I made the decision to transform my life. That path included healing, divorce, and learning to co-parent with someone still navigating addiction. It wasn’t easy, but what carried me through was community—family, friends, and the circles of support I have been blessed to build along the way.

Today, I am committed to breaking cycles of trauma, shame, silence, and disconnection. I believe deeply in the power of community and in the importance of making spiritual and cultural teachings accessible to all who are seeking. My work is about creating spaces of belonging, where we can heal together, connect with Spirit, and remember that we are all deserving of love and guidance.

I am not your typical healer. I don’t dance around the truth—I meet you in your darkness and walk beside you as you do the work. I hold a deep respect for Spirit and carry a sharp eye for what needs shifting. My purpose is to help release what no longer serves you, so you can step into your own healing. Above all, I will always do my best to offer a safe, grounded space for your journey.

My complex identity has enabled me to deeply understand the importance of honoring diverse experiences and fostering connections that transcend division. I have witnessed the transformative power of various healing modalities firsthand, guiding me from active substance use disorder to a fulfilling career and a path of continuous growth.

While the teachings resonate deeply with the Indigenous community, they are offered to all. I recognize that reconnecting with one's heritage and identity is a powerful catalyst for healing, regardless of background. Pain that is not transformed is transmitted. That is a universal truth regardless of cultural background.

My goal is to offer a new era of holistic healing, seamlessly integrating the wisdom of Indigenous traditions with contemporary therapeutic modalities, fostering a world where mind, body, and spirit are honored and restored. 

With love,

Toni Nicholas