Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaela Wabanimkee-Harris, LLMSW.
Kaela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Kaela Harris, also known as Kaela Wabanimkee-Harris is an Anishinaabe from Northern Michigan. She comes from a beautiful mixed lineage of Afro-Indigenous and European ancestors. Kaela graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI where she obtained a master’s degree in social work. She was in the Innovation in the Community, Policy, and Leadership (ICPL) program. Her areas of focus were community development/organizing, leadership, and policy. Ms. Harris is a trainer, facilitator, and speaker addressing various health and social advocacy issues in Indian Country on a micro, mezzo, and macro level. She is a strong advocate for Native wellness initiatives in tribal communities. Ms. Harris plans to engage in the community by creating empowerment programs for Native American and other minority women as well as youth. She also plans to practice policy advocacy on a local and national level. She has a passion for educating and empowering people and is grateful to be able to assist and support Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
Kaela enjoys drumming and singing in her language, Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe)). She enjoys experiencing traditional ceremonies, sewing, and spending time with her family and friends. Kaela is the proud mother of 2 daughters, Kateri and Kalyse. Her lifelong goal is to teach her daughters the beauty of connecting the present world with the past, and to live a well-rounded healthy life with the knowledge of our ancestral ways.
Kaela began her healing journey many years ago. She has been practicing and honoring Anishinaabe ways of being by learning her language, attending ceremonies, learning about and using traditional herbal medicines, and many other things. She is a birth worker/doula who supports birthing people in all phases whether it be loss, pregnancy release or bringing baby earth side. She began to study the practice of Reiki on her healing journey. Kaela is certified Childbirth Educator and Reiki I practitioner. She is board member on the Michigan Breastfeeding Network and a member of the MDHHS Doula Advisory Council. She is also the Co-Executive Director at Healing by Choice! Detroit and is a founding member of the Detroit Indigenous Peoples Alliance. Her full-time job consists of supporting Tribal Communities all across the country as a Task Lead and TTA Coordinator at the SAMHSA Tribal TTA Center.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think that there are many paths we take on on our journey. Some are easier than others but they all lead is to the path we are meant to be on. I wouldn’t be who I am without the bumps and smooth parts.
Through all my travels as a Army brat and than landing in Louisville, KY and then back in Northern Michigan, I always felt out of place up north. Schools thought I was trying to establish a gang etc. I remember them telling me, “I don’t know where you think you are. You are not going to do that here”. I literally was just making friends and building community with all the other Black and Brown kids there. As a mixed Native kid, I got called all the names. I was always fighting. When I came to Detroit almost 20yrs ago, I not only found a strong Native-Anishinaabe community but also a strong Black community, I felt whole. Detroit definitely made me, Detroit is home. Every time I leave and visit up north it’s like a culture shock to me and I’m just not comfortable. Or anywhere that’s more yt centered. Small piece of my story.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Healing by Choice! And my personal practice, Healing with Dbik Anakwad Kwe?
I am a mother, scholar, activist, healer, and proud Anishinaabe kwe.
Full spectrum Indigenous Doula (birthworker), Healer, Reiki Practitioner, Plant Medicine Worker/Practitioner and Cultural Support Specialist.
My practice is done from a Anishinaabe lense and world view and is rooted in Indigenous knowledge and ways of being.
Healing with Dbik Anakwad Kwe
-Plant Medicine Worker out of my home apothecary
-Birth Work – Full spectrum doula support
-Consulting, speaking engagements/teaching, cultural support specialist
Detroit Indigenous People’s Alliance
-Founding member
-community organizer
Healing by Choice! Detroit
-Co-Executive Director
In many ways I intertwine and weave the work I do across organizations.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
the love I have in community. My community, my people, my traditional knowledge and stories. My morals.
Contact Info:
