A man wearing sunglasses, a black hoodie with a red and black logo, and a black cap, stands on a rocky beach near a lake with mountains and a blue sky in the background. He appears to be enjoying the outdoors and smiling.

Meet the Founder

Bill is from Treaty 8 territory, Driftpile Cree First Nation. For much of his early life, however, he had little connection to Indigenous people or culture. Family fragmentation, parental addiction, and mental health challenges left him distanced from his roots. In his youth, he entered a long-term relationship and became the proud father of three beautiful daughters. For many years he worked steadily, providing for his family, until his entrepreneurial spirit inspired him to establish his own construction firm — a venture that quickly grew into a thriving family business
However, the weight of intergenerational trauma began to surface, and addiction soon took hold of his life. The once honest, responsible, and savvy businessman gradually transformed into someone consumed by secrecy and manipulation, hiding his struggles from those closest to him. Before long, he stopped returning home, and piece by piece, his company slipped away. In the wake of this decline, his family was forced to leave behind the home and life they had built together.
For years he was just getting by, chasing material gains, hiding his addiction, caught up in the spiritual malady, and living without true purpose. Then one day, a simple conversation with an Indigenous worker he had hired changed everything. Bill casually asked the young man what his plans were for the future. The reply was profound: “I don’t need plans for the future. I just know I’m going to go fishing with my son and pick berries with my daughter so my kokum can make us something good. After that, it’s in the Creator's hands.”
At that moment, Bill realized he had been living his life all wrong. Instead of seeking spirituality and connection, he had been driven by greed, status, and possessions — and it left him empty. Shortly after, he joined the 12‑step community, sought guidance from Elders and Indigenous knowledge keepers, and began walking a new path. He has never looked back. Today, Bill lives with gratitude, purpose, and a renewed commitment to healing — guided by Creator, grounded in his Cree roots, and dedicated to helping others find the same light he discovered
In 2020, Bill founded BILLWARDLIFE with a single, powerful mission:"Help as many of Creator’s kids as possible." His unwavering dedication and transformative approach quickly established him as a sought-after figure in the addictions recovery field. 
Recognizing the strength of unity in healing, Bill collaborates with Elders, Knowledge keepers, trusted partners, organizations, and community leaders who share his vision. Together, they expand access to recovery support, enhance educational initiatives, and build lasting solutions that empower individuals, families, and communities. Through these partnerships, BillWardLife continues to inspire change, offering a network of guidance, mentorship, and wholistic care for those on their journey to sobriety and fulfillment.
Together with his hand-picked staff, he helps nations and service organizations develop decolonized healing programs to address the addiction crisis—programs rooted in cultural resurgence, lived experience, and community empowerment, offering pathways to recovery that honor Indigenous worldviews and restore balance to individuals, families, and Nations alike.

Work With Us

We are a small, steady team who lead with love, compassion and kindness—walking alongside people from a place of shared experience and deep respect. Our own journeys through addiction and intergenerational trauma are not stories of shame but of guidance; they shape how we listen, how we hold space, and how we walk with others toward healing. We blend ceremony, practical support, and day-to-day care so that recovery becomes a path lived together, not a path walked alone. Above all, we show up as people first—gentle, honest, and committed to each other’s dignity and long-term wellness.

Meet the Team

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Group of five people outdoors in front of a mountain landscape, wearing hoodies and jackets with a logo, smiling at the camera.

Our Team

  • A man with long braided hair and colorful earrings smiling, sitting at a wooden table in front of a windowed background.

    Bill Ward

    Founder and President
    As the founder and president of BillWardLife, Bill is a devoted and passionate recovery advocate and keynote speaker. His roots are from the DriftPile First Nation and it was reclaiming his culture that helped save his life when he was in the throes of active addiction. Known for his ability to clearly articulate the complexities of addiction, he inspires hope and motivates change. He helps others create a seamless blending of Recovery and Culture in the way that only he can. His personal motto, “One person, One family, One community at a time” drives the values and mission of the organization.

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    Daniel Petros

    CEO
    Daniel brings strong leadership and practical management skills to BillWardLife. He oversees the strategic and operational direction of our organization, guiding the development and delivery of our programs across Alberta and Western Canada

    With nineteen years in recovery and a spiritual practice rooted in Indigenous teachings, Daniel carries a deep understanding of addiction and the spiritually based solutions at the core of our mission. He stepped into this role with a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to helping people make meaningful changes in their lives, especially within Indigenous families and communities.

  • A woman with shoulder-length wavy hair, wearing a black blazer and olive green turtleneck, sitting at a wooden table in a modern room with large window panes behind her.

    Brenda Muddle

    Executive Director
    Brenda honors her Métis roots through over 35 years of work in reintegration, self‑help, and addiction recovery programs. She brings a client‑centered approach that blends holistic and traditional healing.

    As Executive Director, she strengthens communication, builds staff capacity, and forges partnerships with First Nation communities, businesses, and urban organizations—advancing recovery through an Indigenous lens. Her guiding belief: “When we lead with love, compassion and kindness, the soul feels it’s worth.”

  • A woman with long black hair styled in loose waves, wearing a dark blazer and accessorized with earrings, rings, a watch, and tattoos on her hands, sitting at a wooden table in front of a black cushioned bench in a room with large, grid-like windows in the background.

    Lauren Garand

    Supervisor: Indigenous Recovery Navigators
    As Supervisor of Indigenous Recovery Navigators, Lauren helps hire and trains BillWardLife staff to engage clients in trauma‑informed ways that foster safety and trust. She sets high standards, believing our people deserve strong, respectful advocates on their healing journeys. She is the liaison with Tsuut’ina CFS and Outreach departments. Her mission: “To be a source of hope and healing, championing the power of culture, connection, and resilience for every person I serve.”

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    Tamara Llewellyn

    Podcast Media Coordinator / Outreach Support
    Tamara coordinates the BillWardLife podcast and serves as a key contact for outreach. Most days, she leads the downtown dayspace at Central United Church—the “Central Outreach Hub”—where she shares stories of hope and healing. Guided by her motto, “Show up real, stay grateful, and do the next right thing,” she is a steady light for those finding their way back to themselves

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    Jillian Ward

    Indigenous Recovery Navigator
    Jill’s life has been shaped by her father’s journey through addiction and recovery, giving her firsthand insight into its impact on families. Guided by Creator and strengthened through ceremony, teachings and community, she sees recovery work as a sacred calling. As a navigator, Jill walks alongside clients with compassion, understanding and love helping them build life skills and meet challenges with resilience. She believes every story holds value and is grateful to support others on their healing journeys.

  • A woman with long wavy blonde hair, wearing a black top and colorful jewelry, sitting at a wooden table in front of a windowed wall with a grid pattern, smiling at the camera.

    Shannon Kellock

    Merchandiser/Promotions
    Shannon is the BillWardLife representative you will most likely meet at Pow Wows, conferences and trade shows. She promotes and sells our merchandise and recently began helping in the outreach department where she spreads her kindness and compassion to all she works with. She is Bill’s ex-wife and the mother of his children whose philosophy is “Accept, acknowledge , and own your past; it is not your now or your future”.

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    Lacey Kwok

    Marketing Manager & Brand Strategist
    Lacey brings heart, vision, and intention to every story she helps shape at BillWardLife. With a vast background in marketing and brand development, she leads with creativity and purpose- weaving strategy and storytelling into everything the organization shares with the world.

    Guided by a belief that meaningful connection is the foundation of any great brand, Lacey’s approach blends intuition with insight. She’s passionate about bringing ideas to life in ways that feel authentic, human, and aligned with the deeper mission of helping people heal and grow , “One person, one family, one community at a time.”