WHO: Catherine Cook, associate dean, First Nations, Metis and Inuit Health, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences.

WHAT: Cook helped to establish the International Indigenous Academic Health Network, which connects the University of Manitoba with medicine faculties at institutions worldwide, including the Universities of Auckland and Otago in New Zealand, the University of Hawaii and the University of New Mexico.

HOW IT WORKS: These partners will promote knowledge exchange to improve Indigenous health outcomes, support Indigenous doctors, staff and students, and develop an engagement protocol between Indigenous communities and universities. They will create student and faculty exchange programs and online learning in the areas of medical curriculum and education, clinical training, and research. The network’s activities are underpinned by Indigenous knowledge relating to traditional healing, ethics and pedagogy.

HOW IT STARTED: Over the years, Indigenous faculty within the University of Manitoba’s College of Medicine have established relationships and collaborations with Indigenous colleagues in Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and New Mexico through courses in medical training or research. They connected through their involvement in various organizations. “As educators within the medical learning environment, it is apparent that there is a need for an enhanced learning opportunity for all medical learners in the realm of Indigenous health,” says Cook. “There is also a need to extend opportunities for both peer and professional mentorship for Indigenous medical learners.”

THE INSPIRATION: “The University of Manitoba is engaged in international relationships and partnerships for student and faculty exchanges in many countries,” she notes. “These formal agreements serve students and faculty well in providing opportunities for enhanced expertise and knowledge gathering in several areas. However, to date, the university is not engaged in an international network that focuses on efforts to address disparities and inequities in Indigenous health throughout the continuum of education, research and clinical service delivery. This project will further develop opportunities for knowledge creation, knowledge mobilization and clinical teaching within a culturally safe environment.”

THE IMPACT: The activities of the network will focus on supporting students, faculty, staff and organizations which will improve health outcomes for Indigenous peoples. And it “will ensure that Indigenous communities are engaged in an authentic and meaningful way in all of its activities,” says Cook.

FUNDERS: Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Network Environments for Aboriginal Health Research; international project development fund and the College of Medicine, University of Manitoba

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