GLENDA GIBBON
HEALTH DIRECTOR, SQUAMISH NATION
AT
the core of Glenda Gibbon's academic
and career journey is a deep commit-
ment to offering Indigenous communi-
ties culturally safe care.
After earning a bachelor's degree from Vancou-
ver Island University, where she specialized in First
Nations studies and psychology, Gibbon felt her
passion for advocacy become ignited by a desire to
delve deeper into the history of her own heritage
and that of Indigenous peoples across Canada and
the United States.
"My parents and grandparents had told me a
bit about Indigenous history, but I think they were
trying to shelter me from the information and
not instil fear in me as I moved into adulthood,"
explains Gibbon. "When I started to learn the
history of my family and other Indigenous people, I
wanted to be an advocate in any way possible."
Born in the Wet'suwet'en Nation located out-
side of Burns Lake, B.C., and raised on Vancouver
Island, Gibbon carries a profound sense of responsi-
bility toward her community.
After a decade-long stint at an Indigenous
health organization in Nanaimo, during which she
worked up to a managerial role, Gibbon transitioned
to a position as an advisor at the University of
Victoria. However, she missed being able to directly
engage with Indigenous communities. She decided
to pursue an
MBA at Simon Fraser University, ulti-
mately leading to her current role as health director
at Squamish Nation.
W I N N E R
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B C B U S I N E S S . C A
M AY
2 0 24 Ta n y a G o e h r i n g
CHANGE MAKER
WOTY
"When I started to
learn the history of
my family and other
Indigenous people,
I wanted to be
an advocate in any
way possible."
