Professional Background: Devin Pollitt is a dedicated mental health service provider with over a decade of clinical experience, primarily serving communities in the Pacific Northwest. His professional expertise includes providing onsite mental health services, as well as delivering specialized workshops and training in professional quality of life to remote Indigenous communities. Devin has worked with a range of Indigenous Nations, including Lax Kw’alaams, Nisga’a Nation (Gingolx, Gitwinksihlwk, Laxgalts’ap, Gitlaxt’aamiks), Haisla Nation, Kitselas First Nation, Tahltan Nation, and Tsilhqot’in Nation. As a Registered Social Worker, Devin offers clinical counselling services, and is a registered provider for First Nations Health Authority, the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans Affairs Canada, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He also extends his expertise to organizational and research consulting, focusing on program development, management, and community needs assessments. Additionally, Devin is trained in various assessments, including section .211 Views of the Child court reports, Gladue assessments for the criminal courts, and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM).

Academic Background: Devin holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work, with a strong focus on clinical practice and research statistics. His past research explored the relationship between healthcare worker value differences and their experiences of burnout, compassion satisfaction, and secondary trauma. Devin’s Master’s thesis analyzed data from a national study of palliative care nurses, using structural equation modeling to examine how workplace values influence professional quality of life outcomes. He was mentored by notable scholars, including Dr. Bruce Bidgood, Dr. Jonathan Alschech, and Dr. David Hemsworth, and has lectured internationally on the subject. Currently pursuing his Doctorate at Memorial University under the supervision of Dr. Stephen Ellenbogen, Devin's research focuses on the disproportionate representation of Indigenous children in foster care in Canada. Although Indigenous children comprise only 7.7% of the population under 15, they account for 53.8% of those in foster care. This imbalance is tied to the legacy of colonialism and the residential school system, which continues to impact the cultural identity, mental health, and overall well-being of Indigenous children. Devin’s research aims to develop a community-specific tool to assess and strengthen cultural connections for Indigenous children in care. By collaborating with Indigenous communities, the goal is to provide a tailored approach to cultural connection, improving child welfare practices and supporting the identity and well-being of Indigenous children.

Personal Interests: Outside of his professional life, Devin is a single Dad who is an outdoor enthusiast. He has lived in the remote coastal regions of British Columbia’s pacific northwest for over 20 years.  He loves dual sport motorcycles, fly fishing, skiing, hunting and food harvesting wild game, and being on his jet boat on the wild rivers of the North. He is also passionate about music, often performing live as a guitarist and singer-songwriter at events throughout BC. On weekends, Devin spends time with his amazing 12-year-old daughter, Freya, and their Goldendoodle, Rosie. His leisure time is often spent tying flies, hunting/fishing, downhill skiing, playing hockey, or relaxing with friends for a BBQ and hot tub after a long day in the outdoors.

Email: dtpollitt@mun.ca
Website: www.taigahealth.ca