Meet Trevia

Educator, Community Builder,
& Truth Story-Teller

Our Best Classroom is Each Other!

Hi, I’m Trevia [TREE-va] (she/her)

 

I’m a multi-racial woman with Indigenous ancestors who has two decades of experience in bodywork, education and community-building. I support people in unpacking cultural appropriation, community building, as well as helping Culture Makers gift the world with their knowledge, lived experience and wisdom so not only they, but their clients can thrive.

I also partner with Kelly Diels in co-facilitating We Are The Culture Makers. Together we are creating connections and support in these volatile times.

Here’s How I Got Ready to Work with You:

  • Masters in Teaching. I’m an experienced teacher and a life-long learner. My superpower is turning theory into practice so you can take everyday steps towards your goals. I have taught many students from many different cultures helping them feel pride in their own heritage in a multi-cultural classroom.

  • Bodyworker and Massage Therapist For nearly two decades, I have helped people heal and support their bodies at every stage of life. That means I am deeply experienced in the realities of bodies and the practice of embodiment.

  • Non US-centric training and lived experience.  I have lived and studied for long periods of time in North America, Asia and the Middle East. I was privileged to have traveled and trained extensively in Europe. I also work in collaboration with multi-national people to support, give and receive. 

  • Anti-racist. I am multi-racial, women with indigenous ancestors. I am committed to racial justice and had training from Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock, Foundations in Somatic Abolitionism and was in a year-long guided study group through Rooted. Tending a brave community space grounded in anti-racism principles + practices is deeply important to me. This work takes time + space + action. Creating a culture that is grounded in Justice is lifetimes of work.

  • Emerging Herbalist. I’ve completed a 1000 hour Foraging course and enrolled in an Immersion Herbal course at the Chestnut School or Herbal Medicine. It’s important to me that we remember and reclaim our lost cultural and wise-women knowledge traditions. Women and other marginalized people have always been healers.

  • Community builder. I helped organize food CO-OPs in China and Saudi Arabia to delivery organic food to our school community teachers. Founded and contributed to many different kinds of women’s circles from Red Tents, Co-leadership, and full moon circles. Helped organize seed sharing events, beach clean-ups, large Earth Day events etc. I have managed my own online community and program and support others in their Mighty Networks online communities including Kelly Diels’ The Gathering Space. I’m a skilled and committed facilitator who believes in cultivating brave, nourishing spaces where people most harmed by misogyny can thrive.

Hear More…

Justice centered parenting

Cultural Appropriation for families.

I was invited to be a guest on my first podcast by Rachel Alva from the Justice-Centered Parenting Podcast. We did a 3 short podcasts on handling cultural appropriation and appreciation with families. We talk about the inquiry method I do to figure out if something is cultural appropriation.

57. Good Boundaries—Avoiding Appropriation

58. Teaching Kids to Appreciate, Not Appropriate

59. Deepening our Holiday Traditions

Heritage story of Trevia

My Heritage Story.

This is a deeply personal story in which I honor my Grandma Shirley and my family’s maternal line. This was a really hard for me to do, but the amazing hosts of Beyond Picket Fences were amazing at holding space for me to try. We also did an impromptu podcast on Cultural Appropriation so they could learn more. We dived right in… and then they surprised me with a follow up episode about what they learned.

Episode #39: Honoring My Indigenous Heritage and Living Authentically

Episode #40: Cultural Appropriation Versus Cultural Appreciation w/ Trevia Woods

Episode #42: What We Learned About Cultural Appropriation w/ Brion Curran and Marci French

Here’s many podcasts I have been a guest on.

I am sorry for anyone who has learned the Catawba name incorrectly because of me and to the Catawba people for mispronouncing their name in my first land acknowledgements. Here is a link to the pronunciation of the Catawba people. Thank you for growing with me. I am always open to feedback.

Feel Better. Do Better. Book

Read My Essay

in Feel Better. Do Better by Dr. Deb Shine Valentine


When Deb approached me to contribute an essay for her book, I was thrilled! Considering the audience for this book on equity, I wrote an essay on how we can have a positive racial identity no matter who our ancestors are. The book is an easy read and affordable. You can pick up a copy here.

Special Thanks to Larissa Parson for editing my essay.

My influencers & thought lineage…

People

Oprah for giving me a strong role model when I was growing up (even though looking back I see valid critiques of her influence), Kelly Diels for teaching me more than I knew possible about feminism and being sovereign. The countless people in the feminist eco-system bought together by Kelly Diels in We Are The Culture Makers. Y’all got me through 2020 and continue to be a source of inspiration and support I can’t do without. Thank you! Andrea Brailsford as a friend, mentor and body worker. Nicky and Shannon who introduced me to the love and freedom of SUPing,  Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock for educating me to be a better anti-racist. Emily and Larissa for helping me grow roots in NC soil by helping this place and my body be a comfortable home. Iman for your friendship and wonderful logo.  The Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine for embodying anti-racism in the healing arts. I had the pleasure working with Eva doing storytelling copywriting magic. Marybeth Bonfiglio for supporting me in my curiosity of my European lineage & Gretchen Sechrist Kehan for holding such exquisite space. Thank you Natalie Koussa for helping me lean in to my love of teaching and story telling on podcasts. To my grandma Shirley, I know she is looking down proud that I broke the cycle.

 Books

Pleasure Activism & Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown,
Playing Big by Tara Mohr,
Sacred Circles by Robin Deen Carnes & Sally Craig,
The Body is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor,
Wild Feminine by Tami Lynn Kent,
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer,
Change Here. Now by Adam Brock.
If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
My Grandmother’s Hands & Quaking of America by Resmaa Menakem
How We Show Up by Mia Songbird
Root & Ritual by Becca Piastrelli
Unapologetic Eating by Alissa Rumsey
What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon
Inner Field Work by Leesa Renée Hall

 Fun Facts about Me

  • I can’t decide which is better Mexican or Indian food.

  • The most magical place I have been is the Redwood Forest.

  • I believe makeup and bras are 100% optional.

  • I have a large blended family with 5 boys & a dog.

  • One of my favorite things is my robot vacuum cleaner.

  • Anyone who visits will be shown all my plants.

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