KAZIA ARMSTRONG

REGISTERED MASTER SOCIAL WORKER

Tansi, My name is Kazia Armstrong (pronounced Kah-Jah). I am Métis with Cree and Scottish ancestry on my mother’s side, with roots in the Red River Valley of Manitoba, and later forced re-settlement near Lily Plain, Sask. I am of mixed European ancestry on my father’s side, though I am working to understand this history better as much of the stories on both sides of my family have been lost. I was born and raised in Saskatoon and have called Vancouver my home for almost a decade. I offer gratitude and acknowledge my privilege as an uninvited but grateful visitor on these unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Peoples.

I hold a Master of Social Work degree in Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Social Work with an Indigenous specialization from the University of Victoria. I bring over 15 years of community-based experience in frontline service provision alongside my academic credentials and have expertise in Indigenous child welfare and trauma-informed care.

Counselling can be a place to receive positive support and gain tools to create meaningful and sustainable growth, healing, and change in your life. I have spent my adulthood committed to learning who I am as a cultural person and seeing firsthand how reclaiming culture positively affects well-being individually and collectively. As your counsellor, I am committed to providing client-centered support tailored to your unique needs. My practice draws from my cultural teachings and formal education in trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and strength-based frameworks. My overarching goal is to provide culturally sensitive counselling while maintaining an environment where we can safely explore complex topics. It is my honour to hold your story and walk alongside you in this part of your healing journey.