Before becoming Sacred Pathways Integrative Services Inc, our organization consisted of two separate companies, Sohkastwâw Lodge and Kahkike Homes. Sohkastwâw Lodge provided reunification supports to Indigenous families with child in care of government agencies, and Kahkike Homes provided care to at-risk youth, high-risk youth, and youth with complex needs. We came together as one agency in February 2025 to take advantage of the expertise of staff from both agencies in providing optimal care to persons placed in our homes and reduce administrative costs related to running two separate agencies. 

Sohkastwâw Lodge History 

The idea for this lodge emerged from many discussions between Shelley and other social work colleagues throughout her years of practice as social workers. From these discussions, it was clearly noted that there a gap in service for Indigenous families involved with child welfare agencies where children are in the care where there are few intensive programs focused on healing trauma using evidence-based methodology and incorporation of cultural engagement. Many Indigenous children remain in the care of child welfare agencies throughout much of their childhood, and when they turn 18, return to their family and home community as they have little sense of connection to their family and natural supports. Many of these children return to their families who continue to struggle with many of the issues that resulted in the children being removed from their care in the first place. Many Indigenous children in care are not raised with the knowledge or cultural aspect of what it means to be a warrior or Indigenous person. Commonly, children in care have no connection to who they are or where they come from, and often their spirit is lost. The young people carry the stigma of being an Indigenous person and intergenerational trauma of their ancestors, which can hinder their ability to follow the Red Road.  

Kahkike Homes History 

The idea for Kahkike Homes emerged from many discussions between Shelley, Lisa and other colleagues throughout their years of practice as social workers.  Both Shelley and Lisa noted a gap in service for persons served, particularly high-risk persons served, that focused on healing trauma using evidence-based methodologies, cultural engagement, and a holistic approach to healing.   

Within Alberta, there are few residential programs focused on supporting at-risk or high-risk persons served. There are many agencies that work to support persons served in the community, but only a few that persons served call home. In many instances, these agencies do not have the capacity to provide the intense support needed, which perpetuates the cycle of persons served homelessness. At Sacred Pathways Integrative Services Inc., we believe that persons served can heal from trauma and move forward with their lives in a healthy manner. From our perspective, healing for persons served can start once a relationship is built.  The ability to build relationships will be possible at Sacred Pathways Integrative Services Inc. as they will have a place to call home.