SupportIng Indigenous people achieve more of their potential without compromising their values.
Biography
Dr. Cynthia Stirbys has over 15 years experience in individual, group and community work in the following areas: Mental Health and Addictions; Social Determinants of Health; Indian Residential School; Governance; Gender-based Analysis; Research Ethics; Trauma and Transpersonal Counseling. Over her career, Dr. Stirbys has provided context and advice to identify policy gaps in services, an
10/01/2022
Main THIS FREE ONLINE EVENT STARTS ON OCTOBER 17TH!enter YOUR NAME AND EMAIL BELOWYES, I'M IN! SIGN ME UP!FEATURED ExpertsSandy BoucherSpeaker, Author & Reconciliation ExpertLisa SniderAward-Winning Songwriter Aoede, Playwright, Author & FilmmakerLisa Pahllicensed clinical social worker &...
09/14/2022
Praying mantis: wisdom from the creatures includes female warrior energy, understanding the cycle of nature and the sacred cycle of life and time. it is said to have the ability to move between moments and to manipulate time to their benefit. ...indicates calmness, patience, The power of stillness, meditation, sleep and dreaming, of prophecy, use of healing or creative energy by manipulating surroundings... (by Moon Toadie). Pic by Cynthia Stirbys September 14, 2021.
12/04/2021
I absolutely agree Bruce Lipton! Who out there wants to learn more about ways that can enhance your life?
11/30/2021
When you are ready for change, it fascinates me what support comes your way! I was recently gifted a beautiful book by Tim Yearington called, “Quest for the Thunderbird Nest”. Since my spirit name of Niioo-bineh-seh-Kwe translates to “Four Thunderbirds Woman” I am super excited about this read! What unexpected gifts have come your way?
11/04/2021
The flip side of trauma is strength. - Dr. Cynthia Stirbys
11/01/2021
Trauma accounts can ‘flip the paradigm’ to reveal a person’s strong spirit for the mere fact they survived! - Dr. Cynthia Stirbys
10/29/2021
I need to say something about trauma narratives, which can be more about strength, hope, and coping strategies(not weakness). When looking at my family history on Treaty 4, I learned how my family became know as the “Wild Redwood’s” who would defy the priests, nuns, RCMP, and Indian agents! 😱 My great Aunt Maggie told me the authorities could not make the Redwoods “do” what they demanded. I feel such pride knowing this!! If this post resonated with you, I’d love to know where your family is from and where your family pride starts! 
10/28/2021
TRAUMA NARRATIVES
Trauma narratives can also “transmit strength, optimism and coping strategies” and need not be deficit focused (Denham, 2008)
10/25/2021
MULTI-GENERATIONAL TRAUMA
Multi-generational Trauma are the many traumas that originate from outside Indigenous communities but that manifest inside Indigenous communities and get recycled, generation after generation (Lane et al., 2002 cited in Linklater, 2014, p.23).
10/22/2021
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as,
“The person has been exposed to a traumatic event in which both of the following have been present: (1) The person experienced, witnessed, or was confronted with an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others (2) the person’s response involved intense fear, helplessness, or horror” (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).
10/19/2021
Trauma is what happened to you; it’s not you. Though others do not know how to respond to trauma – that’s not on you either. - Dr. Cynthia Stirbys
10/15/2021
Intergenerational Trauma "is the cumulative, emotional, and pyschological wounding over time that is transmitted from one generation to the next" (Rakoff et al., 1996 cited in Linklater, 2014, p.23)