A major financial award from the CMA Foundation, the Canadian Medical Association's (CMA) Foundation, recognizes medical students at NOSM University who demonstrate exceptional leadership within Indigenous communities. Named the Niigaanegabow Indigenous Leadership Award, the $250,000 grant will support two Indigenous medical students annually for five years and demonstrates CMA Foundation's ongoing commitment to advancing reconciliation in Indigenous health and wellness.
Nii-gaa-ne-ga-bow means "one that stands in front" in Anishinaabemowin, and reflects leadership, courage, and the responsibility of those who lead within and for their communities. The award was named by members of the NOSM University Elders and Knowledge Carriers Circle.
Each year, two Indigenous medical students will receive a scholarship and be supported to develop their own leadership capacity in support of the advancement of Indigenous medical education in Northern Ontario. In addition, the recipients will collaborate with Sioux Lookout-based Indigenous artist Elliott Doxtater-Wynn, who creates a spirit portrait that reflects and celebrates their personal journey in medicine.
In addition to supporting the Leadership Awards, the CMA Foundation also provided $25,000 to support the participation of members of NOSM University's Elders and Knowledge Carriers Circle at the 35th Annual Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada's Mentorship Gathering. This national Gathering brought together approximately 250 Indigenous physicians, residents, support staff, and medical students from across Canada. The 2026 event had the largest group of Elders and Knowledge Carriers to ever attend an IPAC Gathering made possible in part with funding from the CMA Foundation.
"At NOSM University, we are deeply grateful to the members of the Elders and Knowledge Carriers Circle who shared their gifts and teachings with us. Their participation in this Gathering is an important expression of our responsibility to better understand and honour their wisdom," says Dr. Joseph LeBlanc, NOSM University Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion.
"Indigenous medical students go on to provide culturally safe care throughout their careers. By supporting these students during their journey through medical school, the CMA Foundation is making a meaningful contribution to health equity and helping to strengthen health care in the North," says Dr. Michael Green, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO of NOSM University.
"The CMA and CMA Foundation are committed to advancing more equitable health care in allyship with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. Through the Niigaanegabow Indigenous Leadership Award, we are honoured to support Indigenous medical students entering the health-care system, whose leadership will help catalyze a transformed system, while also strengthening culturally safe care in their communities," says Allison Seymour, President, CMA Foundation and Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Partnerships, Canadian Medical Association.
