Tianna Guilbault

Trauma Informed Cultural Support

My name is Tia Guilbault, my ancestry is Gitxsan, French, Irish and Scottish. As a Gitxsan woman I am rooted in Wilps (House) Haiwas, Lax Seel (Frog Clan). I was raised on the traditional territory of Lheidli T’enneh by my mother and father, as well as in my home territory, Anspayaxw (Kispiox) by my Tsi’its (grandmother). I am an intergeneration survivor of Indian Day School as my mother attended the Kispiox Day School.

I relocated to the unceded land and waters of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil Waututh) and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Coast Salish Peoples in 2017. During my time here I continue to experience beautiful growth by reconnecting to culture and the Indigenous community.

I bring with me a combined wealth of knowledge through lived experience in my own mental health and cultural wellbeing, as well as through my career and studies in Cultural and Trauma informed practices. My work background is in Construction Safety which I transitioned over to not-for-profit sector to walk alongside our Indigenous Community in their healing journeys. I have worked as a front-line worker at the UNYA (Urban Native Youth Association), CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind), and Atira Women’s Resource Society. My training is ongoing with my Ba Pyschology Program through Thompson Rivers University. My main support for others is within creating a safe space for them to openly speak within their own comfortability, cedar brushing, smudging, and Gitxsan Medicines that I have learned from my aunts, uncles, mother and grandmother.

Outside of work you can find me camping with my husband and two dogs. Being out on the land or in the water is how I rebalance and reset my spirit. I also spend time in my patio garden where I have transplanted huckleberries and tobacco from my hydroponic garden to be able to bring traditional medicine and food into my home.

My values are deeply rooted in culture for all aspects of life to heal, enjoy delicious food, and nurture relationships.