2024 Fall Foundations

Lydia Schildt, a proud member of the Amskapi Pikuni (Southern Blackfeet) tribe from Blackfeet Nation, MT, currently resides in Missoula. Holding a psychology degree from Salish Kootenai College, she's pursuing a master's with a General Psychology focus.  Presently a Training Specialist at the Montana State Office of Public Defender, Lydia is also an online Adjunct Instructor at her alma mater. She educates on subjects including Historical Trauma, Health Stress and Trauma in Indian Country, Abnormal Psychology, Indigenous Research, and Social Psychology.
Lydia's career has been defined by her dedication to justice and awareness. She's addressed housing injustices for low-income youth, spotlighted racial biases within organizations, and confronted the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in foster care. She's orchestrated healing events, workshops, and retreats, all while advocating for equity and understanding in the face of discrimination. Her driving force remains the acknowledgment of historical trauma's impact and the fight against racism, all for a better future, especially for her children.