My name is Garaline Tom, I am Carrier and traditionally from Lake Babine Nation in British Columbia. I grew up in my First Nations community, on the reservation, until my family moved off in pursuit of more opportunities when I was at a very young age. I spent the rest of my youth on Vancouver Island. 

I found a passion for basketball, which also became my connection to my culture that I had been missing since moving off the reservation. I discovered Native Basketball and it motivated me to continue playing at a higher level. In 2012 after trying out 9 times, I was offered a spot on the varsity women’s basketball team for Douglas College. I then played 5 years at Douglas College in the PacWest conference of the CCAA. Finished my career with 1 bronze, 2 silver, and a gold medal in PacWest championships, and fifth at the CCAA national championships. Finishing my senior year with the conference championships in the 2016-­17 season. 

Since finishing my college basketball career I have continued playing within the Native basketball tournaments. In June 2018 I played with my Vancouver women's native basketball team, All My Relations and travelled to Saskatoon where we won the Canadian Native National Basketball Championship and I was awarded an All-­‐Star. I have also hosted and helped at many youth basketball clinics for reserves within both British Columbia and Washington.

I have graduated from Douglas College with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and pursued a career within the health and wellness field, as I am currently working as a Behaviour Specialist in the mental health field for youth in the Seattle area. My goal is to work with First Nations youth and communities across Canada and the US to promote and engage healthy living in a holistic model.