Indigenous Stories

“If you’re willing to work for it, you can do anything.”

Source: Northern Ontario Medical Journal | 2018/03/22 Written by: Nadine Robinson “Becoming a doctor can be a sacrifice, but sacrifice pays off. It has opened up so many doors for me to pursue other passions of mine, such as travel. If you’re willing to work for it, you can do anything.” If you ask Dr. Rebekah (Becky) Neckoway what the hardest part of medical school was, it was deciding to apply: “I battled negative thoughts, wondering ‘Am I good enough? Can I do this?’ And even once I got in, I had to overcome those feelings. I did this by showing up, and doing the work. I know firsthand that self-doubt has the...

“Believe in your potential for success.”

Source: Northern Ontario Medical Journal | 2018/03/20 Written by: Nadine Robinson “Tânte kekî iši-wîcihitân anohc?” is something Kevin Brousseau is getting used to repeating. Translated from Moose Cree to English, it means “How may I help you today?” Kevin Brousseau is a medical student at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) in his third year, who speaks Cree, English, and French. His love for language runs deep as he also holds a Master’s degree in Linguistics from the Université du Québec à Montreal. He also maintains a blog on the Cree language online. “All three languages have been he...

NOSM’s Indigenous Reference Group and Ogichidaang Gagiigatiziwin Meet

Using a combination of web- and teleconference connectivity across Northern Ontario, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) held its quarterly meeting of the Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) and Ogichidaang Gagiigatiziwin—NOSM’s Circle of Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers—on Tuesday, February 20. Members began their one-day meeting with an opening prayer from Elder Phyllis Shagaubay, followed by a welcome from Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Dean. Dr. David Marsh, Associate Dean, Community Engagement, who is stepping down from his administrative role at the School as of February 28, 2018, thanked the Indigenous Refe...