Gilbert was born in November 1945 in the Fraser Valley town of Sardis and is a member of the Coast Indian Salish people. Educated in Mission City, he moved after graduation, to the Kwagiutl village of Alert Bay, 60 miles from the northern tip of Vancouver Island. For a number of years he was employed as a carpenter and commercial fisherman. He is married to Francis Shaughnessy, of the well-known and highly respected family of Alert Bay, and has three children. He was inspired and taught silver engraving by a member of the Seaweed and Shaughnessy families, Lloyd Wadhams of Kingcome Inlet, who is recognized as one of the truly outstanding carvers, not only in silver and gold, but also in wood. Gilbert's style, the fine detail and craftsmanship of his work is rapidly making him one of the most sought after artists of the entire coast.

Silver - Gold Carver