ISTAR Spotlight

A journey home to Yellowknife

Katie Hart shares her journey from ISTAR volunteer to student clinician, and now a speech-language pathologist in her hometown of Yellowknife.

By Marlo DeVouge  · October 2026

Katie Hart, speech-language pathologist

Katie, tell us about your journey from volunteer at ISTAR to student clinician to your new position as an SLP.

I was inspired to start volunteering with ISTAR in 2023 because I wanted to gain more experience working with people with communication needs, while also contributing to the community. Volunteering gave me an opportunity to learn from professionals, connect with clients and better understand the impact that SLPs can have on someone’s everyday life and the importance of individualized, client-centred care.

When I returned as a student clinician at ISTAR for May and June 2026, it was incredibly meaningful. It was a special experience to take on more responsibility and work directly with clients. One of the highlights of my placement was the opportunity to help run the May adult intensive. One of the biggest things I learned was the value of creating an open and supportive environment where clients feel comfortable sharing what matters to them. This experience gave me the opportunity to grow my counselling skills and become more confident in my role as a clinician. I learned so much from each of the clients I worked with, but I also learned a lot about myself and the kind of clinician I want to be. Being able to build genuine relationships with clients and work together toward their goals was very rewarding.

Why was the Client Final Speech event so meaningful in your placement?

I had seen how much hard work [the clients] had put in both inside and outside of the clinic, and it was so special to watch them share that journey with the people who supported them… It was a reminder of how rewarding it can be to support someone as they work toward a goal. Seeing their confidence grow and celebrating that accomplishment with them was easily my favourite memory from the placement.

I learned the importance of meeting clients where they are and recognizing their strengths, rather than focusing only on what they find challenging. I want to carry this client-centred approach with me throughout my career and continue creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment where clients feel heard, valued and empowered in their communication journey.

“Seeing their confidence grow and celebrating that accomplishment with them was easily my favourite memory from the placement.”

Katie Hart

Congratulations on graduating! What’s next for you?

I recently started working at the hospital in Yellowknife as an outpatient speech-language pathologist. I work with both adult and pediatric populations across a variety of areas. I am most looking forward to connecting with different clients and families, learning what is meaningful and helpful to them, and finding ways to support their individual communication goals and make meaningful gains.

I grew up in Yellowknife, so working in my hometown and giving back to the community was really important to me. With the current waitlist for SLP services being up to two years, I’m hoping this next chapter will allow me to help increase access to services and support more individuals and families across the North. I’m excited to build connections within the community and contribute to making SLP services more accessible to those who need them.