Tia Guilbault

Trauma Informed Cultural Support

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

In 2017, I relocated to the unceded lands and waters of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nations. Since then, I have continued to deepen my connection to culture, community, and Indigenous ways of healing while building meaningful relationships within the urban Indigenous community.

I bring a combination of lived experience, professional practice, and ongoing education to my work. My background includes both personal experience with mental health and cultural wellness, as well as formal training in trauma-informed and culturally safe approaches. I began my career in Construction Safety before transitioning into the non-profit sector, where I found my purpose in walking alongside Indigenous individuals and communities on their healing journeys.

I have worked in frontline roles with the Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA), the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), and Atira Women’s Resource Society. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Psychology through Thompson Rivers University, further strengthening my understanding of trauma, resilience, and mental wellness.

My approach is grounded in creating a safe, respectful, and non-judgmental space where people can share at their own pace. I incorporate culturally rooted practices such as cedar brushing, smudging, and the respectful use of Gitxsan traditional medicines and teachings that have been passed down to me by my grandmother, mother, aunts, and uncles.

Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending time on the land and on the water with my two dogs. These moments help me restore balance, reconnect with myself, and strengthen my relationship with the natural world and my culture.

My values are grounded in the belief that healing is strengthened through culture, connection, community, and relationships. I strive to honour these teachings in both my personal life and my work, walking alongside others with humility, compassion, and respect.