Join us on Wednesday, March 26th, 2025, from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (PST), for “The First Page of a New Chapter: Leading Transformative Change for Indigenous Peoples in an Era of Truth and Reconciliation.” In this Indigenous Speakers Series session, we will have a conversation with Dr. Alika Lafontaine, an award-winning physician, social innovator, and the first Indigenous physician listed by the Medical Post as one of Canada’s 50 Most Powerful Doctors. Grounded in a mixed Indigenous ancestry of Métis, Oji-Cree, and Pacific Islander, Dr. Lafontaine has served in provincial and national medical leadership positions for two decades. Dr. Lafontaine was a driving force behind the Canadian Medical Association’s historic apology to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. In this conversation, You will gain a unique perspective on what it means to lead transformative change in the processes of truth and reconciliation in health care at both the provincial and national levels.
Speaker Bio
Dr. Alika Lafontaine,
President, Canadian Medical Association (2022-23);
Sir Charles Tupper Award for Political Action (2023);
Maclean’s Power List – Top Health Care Innovator (2023);
First Indigenous Physician | The Medical Post – 50 Most Powerful Doctors;
Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 (2021);
Public Policy Forum Inaugural Emerging Indigenous Leader Award (2017);
National Aboriginal Achievement Award Youth Recipient (1999).
Dr. Alika Lafontaine is an award-winning physician, social innovator, and the first Indigenous physician listed by the Medical Post as one of Canada’s 50 Most Powerful Doctors. Grounded in a mixed Indigenous ancestry of Métis, Oji-Cree, and Pacific Islander, Dr. Lafontaine has served in provincial and national medical leadership positions for two decades.
From 2013 to 2017, he co-led the Indigenous Health Alliance, one of the most ambitious Indigenous health transformation projects in Canadian history. At its peak, it represented more than 150 First Nations and successfully advocated for $68 million in funding for health transformation across the traditional territories of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.
In the summer 2022, Dr. Lafontaine became the first Indigenous doctor and youngest physician to lead the Canadian Medical Association in its 156-year history. During his presidency year (summer 2022–2023), the CMA successfully advocated for the largest federal investment in healthcare since 2004 as well as achieving breakthroughs in decades-old issues like pan-Canadian licensure, health data sharing and health human resource planning. Dr. Lafontaine was also a driving force behind the CMA’s historic apology to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, which was delivered on September 18th 2024, speaking in its capacity as the national voice of the medical profession.
Dr. Lafontaine is a Canada’s top 40 under 40 recipient, Maclean’s Top Health Care Innovator, and the youngest recipient of an Indspire Award. He continues to write and speak frequently on the politics of healthcare, implementing and scaling equity, redesigning health systems, the mechanics of reconciliation, and effective advocacy.
Moderator
Derek K Thompson – Čaabať Bookwilla | Suhiltun, Director, Indigenous Engagement
Description
Written by Derek K Thompson – Čaabať Bookwilla | Suhiltun
There are few leaders who spark a transformative and inspiring movement for all of us to take up the charge to move from the process of becoming to that of being. If history is being written in the present, and if our stories are being told today, Dr. Alika Lafontaine has created the first page of a new chapter that changes the debate of what history was and claims it as ours. He’s moved us to create a narrative that shines a light on what it means to be Canadian in an era of truth and reconciliation.
On September 18th, 2024, the Canadian Medical Association apologized for its role, and the role of the medical profession, in past and ongoing harms to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in the health system. Dr. Lafontaine was instrumental in creating this historic moment, and by virtue of his leadership, he centred the priorities and aspirations of all Indigenous peoples. The cumulative effect of his work holds a new promise and a new resolve to fundamentally shift the attitudes and principles of the medical profession to commit to accountability in working with Indigenous peoples and to do better in a spirit of humility and reciprocity.
We are fortunate and honoured to welcome Dr. Alika Lafontaine to the Indigenous Speakers Series for this important and inspiring conversation. We’ll talk about the need and urgency for all of us to continue the work of reckoning with the truth and reconciling for the present day. We will also explore how to ensure that we establish a strong foundation in which Indigenous peoples can access a future healthcare system created with the best of our intentions.
Topic: The First Page of a New Chapter: Leading Transformative Change for Indigenous Peoples in an Era of Truth and Reconciliation
Date: Wednesday, March 26th, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 2:00 PM (PST)
What Will I Learn?
You will gain a unique perspective on what it means to lead transformative change in the processes of truth and reconciliation in health care at the provincial and national levels.
Continue Learning
“The time to make things happen is now. The time to seek out our individual and shared power is now.”
Learn more about REDI’s Indigenous Initiatives here
Discover more about REDI’s Indigenous Initiatives Speakers Series here
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