President’s Lecture Series – Health Equity: Improving Care for Indigenous Children

NOSM University hosted its fifth annual President’s Lecture Series on February 4, 2025. A student-led initiative, this year’s theme, Health Equity: Improving Care for Indigenous Children, emphasized the importance of amplifying Indigenous experiences and perspectives, while highlighting the persistent work of community members. It was an honour to have NOSM University’s Chancellor, Dr. Cindy Blackstock, as keynote speaker, sharing insights from her prolific career, and reflecting on 20 years since the tragic passing of Jordan River Anderson. Jordan’s story ignited a decades-long effort to uphold the rights of Indigenous children.

Dr. Blackstock highlighted some of her work alongside the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada (the Caring Society) in advocating for Indigenous children in Canada’s health care, welfare, and justice system. This includes her work on the landmark class-action lawsuit filed against the Government of Canada for their discriminatory policies in the treatment of Indigenous families when accessing services, products, and supports, reminding listeners that “it costs to do the wrong thing.”

Sharing her invaluable knowledge about children’s rights, access to care for Indigenous children, and Jordan’s Principle, Dr. Blackstock encouraged all listeners to participate in Bear Witness Day on May 10, by continuing to advocate for children’s rights, and in reminding our government to honour Jordan’s Principle through letter-writing campaigns. She urged doctors in training when making recommendations for their pediatric patients—and otherwise—by applying a substantive quality lens, which considers the whole person and their individual needs.

Katie Root and Jyles Copenace highlighted some of the inspiring work being done by the Kenora Chiefs Advisory through the KCA Youth and Family Wellness Camp, which offers Kenora-area youth the opportunity to participate in land-based educational, cultural, and recreational activities. Beyond recreation, the camp provides youth with the opportunity to make connections to their community, their culture, the land, and imparts them with a sense of purpose and belonging.

Dr. Erin Peltier, Assistant Professor and alumna, closed out the evening. Sharing insights from her work in Indigenous communities, she highlighted that Indigenous patients in urban and rural settings often face different sets of challenges when accessing health care and community services. Dr. Peltier emphasized the importance of the social determinants of health: spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing all must be considered in approaches to healthcare.

Each presenter reminded those in attendance that health-care providers must continue to develop solutions for patients that consider the social, spiritual, and cultural wellbeing of the person, not just the medical. The event also paid tribute Jordan River Anderson, whose tragic passing resulted in the establishment of the legal rule Jordan’s Principle, that is now in its 20^th year.

The event’s expert panel, through their tireless work within Canadian Indigenous communities, continue to call attention to the inequities that exist within health care and child welfare systems.  If you were unable to attend the event, you can watch the recording on YouTube @nosmtv.