About Arlene Lehto
Facilitator, author, knowledge keeper, and Traditional Drum Carrier — grounded in lived experience and more than three decades of service.
Arlene Lehto is a member of Couchiching First Nation, born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario. A Traditional Drum Carrier, Sweatlodge Conductor, and Spiritual Guide — storyteller, knowledge keeper, Ojibwe singer, and hand drum teacher — she has devoted more than three decades to service, healing, and cultural renewal.
Arlene's path is shaped by her own lived experience of hardship and transformation — a journey that informs the depth of empathy and authenticity she brings to all of her work. She has served as the National Indigenous Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Advisor with the Canadian Red Cross, deploying across Canada to support Indigenous communities in times of crisis and recovery.
Across decades of frontline and provincial work — with organizations including the Canadian Red Cross, the Ontario Native Women's Association, and the John Howard Society of Thunder Bay — she has walked with people through crisis, grief, trauma, and end-of-life care.
She is the founder of Circle Bound Strategies, an Indigenous-rooted practice offering culturally grounded workshops, crisis response support, land-based teachings, and story-based healing programs for individuals, communities, and organizations across Canada.
Arlene is the author of Wounded Spirits, Healing Hearts, a memoir that weaves together truth, humour, and the enduring power of spirit. She also shares her teachings through her Maemae children's stories and a growing suite of Indigenous teaching and reflection tools, including Medicine Wheel reflection decks.
Experience & Training
Cultural & Ceremonial Roles
Traditional Drum Carrier · Sweatlodge Conductor · Spiritual Guide and community helper · Traditional Storyteller · Ojibwe singer and hand drum teacher · Cultural resource teacher in ceremonies, teachings, and circle work.
Professional Background
National Indigenous MHPSS Advisor, Canadian Red Cross · Traditional teacher, storyteller, and facilitator through Dragonfly Training & Consulting · Healing circles and reintegration support with the John Howard Society of Thunder Bay · Provincial program leadership with the Ontario Native Women's Association and across Ontario.
Training & Credentials
Certified Life Skills Coach · Suicide prevention, conflict resolution, and de-escalation · Grief, trauma, and end-of-life support · Standard First Aid & CPR.
Mission
To support healing, clarity, and emotional balance through culturally grounded teachings, meaningful tools, and story-based learning.
Vision
A world where people rise together with courage, truth, and connection, guided by the teachings carried from those who came before us.
Values
Culturally grounded · Trauma-informed · Story-led · Community-centred · Accessible and welcoming to all.
What makes this work unique
Circle Bound Strategies blends Indigenous knowledge, storytelling, and trauma-informed methods. This work meets people where they are, guiding communities and facilitators toward connection, reflection, and balance.
Who this work serves
Educators, community leaders, organizations, and frontline workers seeking tools that honour Indigenous teachings and foster healing and learning environments.
Our Team
Megan
Youth Program Consultant
Megan is a creative and community-minded young person who brings an important youth perspective to Circle Bound Strategies. At 14 years old, she is already a talented seamstress and creative designer who enjoys using her skills to help others and contribute to her community.
As Youth Program Consultant, Megan provides feedback and input on resources, activities, and programming being developed for children and youth. She helps Circle Bound consider how materials may be understood, experienced, and received by young people, offering thoughtful suggestions from a youth perspective.
Megan’s creativity, attention to detail, and willingness to speak honestly about what works — and what does not — help strengthen the development of engaging and age-appropriate resources. Her involvement reflects Circle Bound Strategies’ belief that when we create programs for young people, their voices and perspectives should be part of the process.
Angela Sofea
Social Field Advocate & Community Member
Angela Sofea is a member of Webequie First Nation, originally from Lac Seul First Nation, and now lives in Thunder Bay with her husband. She has three adult children and six grandchildren.
She enjoys reading, working out, attending ceremonies, watching hockey, learning the Ojibwe language, and taking walks. She graduated from Lakehead University in 2022 with a degree in Psychology, and more recently completed the Addictions and Mental Health program at Confederation College.
Angela is passionate about helping and advocating for people, and has worked in the social field for more than ten years.
She believes deeply in the importance of nature, and how reciprocal and connected we all are to one another. She prays and gives thanks to the Creator every day.
Meegwech for reading — Ozaaweh Meegwen Ikwe, Mekanak Dodem.
Invite Arlene to share stories, teachings, and tools with your organization, school, or gathering.
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