BTDH Welcomes Registered Psychologist Wilma Spear Chief
The Blood Tribe Department of Health is pleased to welcome Ookakii – Wilma Spear Chief, Registered Psychologist, to our team as a Mental Health Counsellor at the Standoff Clinic.
Ookaki (Sleeping Woman) is a proud Kainaikii – Blood Tribe woman with more than 35 years of experience in mental health and addictions. Raised on the Blood Reserve and in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Wilma has dedicated her career to supporting Indigenous communities through compassionate, culturally informed care.
Wilma earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge in 1977 and later pursued a master’s degree in Transpersonal Psychology from John F. Kennedy University in California in 1985. She became a Registered Psychologist in 1988 and has over 35 years of experience in mental health and addiction, including roles with Alberta Health Services and various First Nations communities, such as the Blood Tribe, Siksika, and Piikani Nations.
In addition to her clinical work, Wilma has contributed to community initiatives and provided research both provincially and federally on mental health delivery for First Nations. She also co-authored “Breaking The Silence” released in 1994 by the Assembly of First Nations, one of the first quantitative studies on the impacts of the Indian Residential School system interviewing former students.
From 2018–2022, Wilma served on a joint task group with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) to advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action within the profession of psychology. The contributions resulting from this work are CAP establishing a Practice Standard Guideline to inform the practice with Indigenous peoples; CAP adding new content to the Law and Ethics for the Alberta Psychology Exam; and finally, adding a requirement of annual continued competence training on Indigenous issues.
Outside of her professional work, Wilma enjoys hiking, quilting, and traveling. She and her husband have two children, and three grandchildren.
Wilma is available for in-person appointments on Wednesdays at the Standoff Clinic.
To book an appointment, please call 403-737-8420.