Indigenous Stories
NOSM University Elder Frank Ozawagosh honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award from Anishinabek Nation
Husband and wife team Frank and Julie Ozawagosh have been a mainstay at NOSM University since its inception in 2005. Recently, Frank was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Anishinabek Nation—a distinction awarded to Julie in 2015. Recognized as Elders at NOSM University, Frank and Julie prefer to be called by the Anishinaabe words Mishomis (grandfather) and Nookomis (grandmother). Their involvement at NOSM University began when the medical school reached out to them about leading a ceremony at the grand opening. Soon after, Frank and Julie began welcoming medical learners to the Sweat Lodge at their home. “We just...
Read more about how Elder Frank Ozawagosh was honoured with award.
Portraits honour the stories of Indigenous MD graduates
At NOSM University’s inaugural convocation ceremony on May 26, 2023, Dr. Ryan McConnell was one of two physicians presented with a striking portrait by Anishinaabe and Kanienkehaka artist, Elliott Doxtater-Wynn, a member of Bay of Quinte Mohawk who grew up in Six Nations of the Grand River. The portraits are large—four feet by three feet—and incorporate imagery from the graduates’ personal stories. The artworks were part of the CIBC Indigenous Learner Leadership Award, which provided each learner with $20,000 and a professional development budget and supported them with networking resources during their fourth year of MD studies...
Read about portraits honouring the stories of Indigenous MD graduates
Meet “Nsidwaamjigan,” ceremonial object created to open NOSM University convocations
On May 26, 2023, hundreds of people stood respectfully in silence, listening to the powerful sounds of Indigenous singing and drumming, waiting for the graduates to appear. Then, as the formal convocation procession began, a carved eagle’s head club emerged, leading the way. The carefully-hewn head is the end of Nsidwaamjigan, the beautiful new ceremonial object that will now open all of NOSM University’s convocation ceremonies. Created by Algonquin artist Bradly (Dreamwalker) MacDonald, a Waskabe (Helper) based in North Bay, Nsidwaamjigan means “it recognizes achievements” in Anishnawbemowin, and the baton-like object was named...
Meet “Nsidwaamjigan.”