In this newly established position, the Special Advisor will advise the Dean on Indigenous health, wellness, sovereignty, and Indigenous-defined priorities. He will contribute to shape how the next generation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous health professionals and scientists will be educated and help create the conditions for meaningfully engagement with local Indigenous communities.
New mandate supports reconciliation efforts
Thanks to his lived experience, traditional knowledge and strong community connections, the Special Advisor will work in support of Indigenous learners, faculty, staff and leadership while guiding the faculty's commitments to Indigenous health, cultural safety, reconciliation and respectful partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
"Our vision for this appointment is to firmly embed Indigenous knowledge and wisdom across our faculty, from policy to curriculum to research and clinical care," says Dr. Melissa Forgie, interim Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. "We recognize that this is a process that requires building relationships and establishing trust, and one for which Elder Brascoupé is uniquely equipped."
Longstanding relationship
Elder Brascoupé is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of the First Nations Education Administrators Association and has a longstanding relationship with the faculty of Medicine as he sat on its admissions committee for many years. Last October he led the creation of Colours of Community, a stenciled art installation in honour of the Indigenous Program's 20th anniversary celebration.north_eastexternal link Last June he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa in recognition of the impact of his lifelong commitment to enhance health and education for Indigenous communities.
"I look forward to championing the integration of traditional and modern knowledge systems," says Elder Brascoupé. "I am deeply committed to the principle of two-eyed seeing,' which brings Indigenous knowledge and Western science together in the spirit of reconciliation."
Special Advisor Simon Brascoupé & Dr. Melissa Forgie, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine
Elder Brascoupé is also a Senior Fellow with the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Social Sciences, as well as an Adjunct Professor at Carleton University and at Trent University. He previously served as CEO of the National Aboriginal Health Organization as well as Director of Primary Health Care, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch at Health Canada.
"Simon Brascoupé has been a powerful health advocate for Indigenous Peoples at the University," said Tareyn Johnson, Director of Indigenous Affairs at the University of Ottawa. "This new advisory position will help ensure that Indigenous people are consulted and empowered to make positive change at the Faculty of Medicine".
The appointment of the Special Advisor to the Dean on Indigenous Health at the Faculty of Medicine will be for a 3-year term.
