Pankwa’las (Ruby Peterson) is Namgis, from Alert Bay BC, where she works as a counsellor. Ruby has a Masters of Education in Aboriginal Community Counselling. She has over 17 years experience working with community impacts of Residential school, and colonization in Aboriginal communities, which is also a part of her own healing story. Her counselling focus is largely on trauma, grief and abuse, with special interest in the legacy of intergenerational trauma, abuse suicides and addiction.
Her research interests include community participatory research; connecting culture, health practices and awareness in community. Currently she is developing a more Indigenous Centred counselling and healing practices research project, which includes and honours Kwakwaka’wakw teaching and healing practices as well as western counselling practice.
