First Nations Communities Assess Progress at NOSM

From August 13-15, 2014, Chapleau Cree First Nation hosted the Northern Ontario School of Medicine’s (NOSM) fourth Aboriginal Community Partnership Gathering, called “Walking the Vision.”
NOSM senior leaders, faculty, and staff gathered with over 100 Aboriginal community members from across Northern Ontario to:

• Develop, strengthen, and enhance relationships.
• Provide information regarding past recommendations made to the School at the last gathering May 2011.
• Report about the tangible progress the School has made in implementing those recommendations.
• Seek recommendations about how the School can refine its practices, activities, and outcomes to ensure that NOSM continues to meet the needs of Aboriginal peoples across Northern Ontario.

“At these gatherings we ask, ‘What do you think about NOSM’s progress? What next steps can we take to ensure that NOSM truly meets your needs, and the needs of your community?'” says Dr. David Marsh, NOSM Associate Dean of Community Engagement and Senior Associate Dean of Medicine at Laurentian University. “This process of collaboration ensures that Aboriginal people of Northern Ontario have a voice at NOSM, and that the School is accountable to the priorities that our communities identify for us.”

“Engaging Aboriginal people across the region in the School’s activities and development is an important part of NOSM’s commitment to social accountability,” says Tina Armstrong, NOSM’s Director of Aboriginal Affairs. “Gchi-miigwetch to Chapleau Cree First Nation for hosting this event in their traditional territory, and to all of our delegates who travelled across the North to share their wisdom with us.”