Shayla Oulette Stonechild: Indigenous Yoga & Healing Journey

From Skepticism to Spiritual Awakening

Shayla Oulette Stonechild, a Nehiyaw Iskwew (Plains Cree woman) from Muscowpetung Saulteaux First Nation, reluctantly attended her first yoga class at 19. Expecting complex poses, she instead faced an emotional reckoning with her identity.

"That was the first time I couldn’t run away from any part of myself," she recalls.

Reconnecting With Indigenous Roots

Oulette Stonechild grew up in a predominantly white community in Alberta. Her journey back to her heritage began at 16 after her father’s tragic death. Kevin Stonechild, a residential school survivor, faced systemic racism that disproportionately impacts Indigenous communities.

Key turning points in her life:
- Questioned her roots and purpose
- Discovered mindfulness as a universal practice
- Realized yoga extends beyond the mat into daily life

Indigenous Mindfulness & Social Justice

Today, Oulette Stonechild is:
- A certified yoga teacher
- Indigenous rights activist
- TV host of APTN’s Red Earth Uncovered
- Member of Lululemon’s Diversity and Inclusion committee

She emphasizes:

*"We’re still advocating for clean water, MMIWG2S, and basic human rights in Canada. Healing must happen for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities."

A Call for Collective Healing

Oulette Stonechild’s work bridges:
- Traditional Indigenous wisdom
- Modern mindfulness practices
- Social justice advocacy

Her message resonates post-pandemic: "How can we support each other and see one another as we are?"

Related Indigenous Mindfulness Resources:

• 10 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement
• Indigenous Lessons on Mindfulness
• Movement Practices for Courage