Josh Doumani
Trauma Informed Cultural Support
My name is Josh Doumani. I am Anishinaabe Ojibwe from my mother’s side and a proud member of the Anishnaabeg of Naongashiing (Big Island First Nation), part of Treaty 3 in Morson, Ontario. I also carry French and Irish ancestry from my father. I was born and raised in Surrey, BC, and today I live and work on the unceded and ancestral territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples.
My family history is a big part of who I am and why I do this work. My grandfather was a survivor of the Indian Residential School system and attended St. Mary’s Residential School in Kenora, Ontario. I never had the chance to meet him, but his story lives on through our family. I have seen the impacts of intergenerational trauma up close, and that lived experience through my own struggles with mental health and learning about my culture continues to guide how I show up for others - with care, patience, and respect.
I bring over ten years of experience working in social services and mental health. I take a strength-based, holistic approach to my work and am guided by Two-Eyed Seeing—honouring both Indigenous and Western ways of knowing. My work has taken me into a variety of roles supporting Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members. Some of my experience includes working at Coast Mental Health as a Mental Health Worker, with Métis Nation BC as a Youth Employment Coordinator, and with the MCFD as an Indigenous Liaison Worker on the Indigenous Child and Youth Mental Health team. Across these roles, I have gained valuable experience supporting individuals, families, and systems while centering on relationships, culture, and wellness.
Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Indigenous youth, families, and Elders, and I’m deeply grateful for the teachings that have been shared with me. I know I’m always learning, and I try to walk this path with humility, and an open heart.
At the core of my work is a commitment to supporting Indigenous youth, strengthening families, and advocating for wellness rooted in culture and connection. I believe in meeting people where they’re at, listening to their stories, and recognizing the strengths they already carry. Building trust and genuine relationships is what matters most to me.
My education includes Diplomas in Social Service Work and Recreation Leadership from Langara College, along with a Career Development Practitioner Certificate from Simon Fraser University. I’m also a Certified Mental Health First Aid Facilitator through the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Currently, I working towards my Bachelor of Social Development Studies at the University of Waterloo.
Outside of work, I do my best to stay grounded through mindfulness, breathing, smudging, and getting outside whenever I can. I’m also a bit of a nerd—I enjoy watching Star Wars, collecting action figures and playing board games. Many of the youth I’ve worked with in the past loved playing Uno, so I usually have a deck of cards on me, just in case.
