Katie Petry joined Inclusive Communities in August 2022. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she double-majored in Psychology and American Indian & Indigenous Studies, and minored in Education. Following university, Katie worked with Sicangu Lakota youth for 7 years as a high school teacher, coach, and advisor in Rosebud, South Dakota. It was actually during this time that she first became involved with our IncluCity youth program, annually attending camp as an Advisor for her own high school’s delegation!
A big proponent of lifelong learning and supporting others through trauma and hardship, Katie is also certified as a social-emotional learning facilitator, trauma-informed yoga instructor, crisis counselor, and sexual assault survivor advocate (specializing in providing care for Indigenous communities). She is excited to continue working towards her certification as an integrative holistic and energy healing practitioner, as well.
Some of Katie’s biggest areas of passion include: ending the MMIW/R (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/Relatives) epidemic; fighting for reproductive justice and holistic sexual wellness; promoting accurate, accessible, and stigma-free mental health services; advocating for gender-affirming care and other LGBTQIA2S+ rights; and establishing educational equity for all youth.
In her free time, Katie enjoys any opportunity to be active outside hiking, running, playing soccer and rugby, swimming, or otherwise celebrating nature with her dog, Lucy. She also loves reading a good mystery, completing puzzles, and rewatching her favorite TV series Avatar: The Last Airbender.