I am of Stó:lō and mixed settler ancestry. I was raised in my home community, Soowahlie First Nation (near Chilliwack, BC) and have ties to Cowichan, Snuneymuxw, and Sumas First Nations. I proudly carry the ancestral name, Tilyen. I have enjoyed living on the beautiful unceded, ancestral lands of Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Peoples since 2009. I am a wife and mother to two young children. My pronouns are she/her.

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I have worked for fifteen years in Indigenous Peoples’ health leadership, planning, policy, education, and research. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology, and a Master of Public Health Degree. I am passionate about Indigenous Peoples reclaiming our authority as decision-makers in our own health and well-being. My career goal is to create a better world for our children and grandchildren through principles of Indigenous wellness and decolonizing approaches.

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My love for supporting Indigenous women and families grew from my own experience of becoming a parent. After the birth of my second child, I was called to birth work. I proudly joined the ekw’í7tl Indigenous Doula Collective as a full spectrum doula in 2018. Along with other members of the collective, I co-created and facilitated Indigenous doula training and prenatal curriculum targeted toward Indigenous families.

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It is my honour to walk alongside Indigenous families, and to collaborate with partners and allies to dismantle anti-Indigenous racism in health care and support new and old ways of health and healing for Indigenous people.