Advisory Committee
Introducing our committee
Our Advisory Committee represents diverse Indigenous communities, and helps to establish rapport with Indigenous organizations across the country. Members include public health professionals, researchers, representatives of national organizations and experts who bring community-based and organizational experience to the table.
Warner Adam,
Co-Chair
Chief Executive Officer, Carrier Sekani Family Services, Prince George, BC
Dr. Warner Adam is a member of Lake Babine Nation in British Columbia. As the founder and CEO...Read full biography
Danièle Behn Smith,
Co-Chair
Deputy PHO – Indigenous Health, BC Office of the Provincial Health Officer
Dr. Danièle Behn Smith is Métis from the Red River Valley and Eh Cho Dene from Fort Nelson First Nation...Read full biography
Michael Bird
Past President, American Public Health Association, Albuquerque, NM,
USA
Michael E. Bird is a Kewa Pueblo Indian from New Mexico. He is the first American Indian and social...Read full biography
Pauline (Sunshine) Dreaver
Public Health Nurse, Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA)
Pauline Dreaver currently lives and works in Prince Albert on Treaty Six territory in Saskatchewan....Read full biography
Patricia Farrugia
Assistant Clinical Professor, Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University
Dr. Patricia Farrugia is an Anishinaabe Orthopaedic Surgeon from the Saugeen-Ojibway Nation...Read full biography
Elaine Kilabuk
Physician, Ottawa General Hospital (Ontario) and Qikiqtani General Hospital (Nunavut)
Dr. Kilabuk is a Nunavut Inuk who has dedicated her career to advancing Northern and Indigenous health...Read full biography
Aluki Kotierk
Chair, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Aluki Kotierk grew up in a bi-cultural home as the oldest of seven children...Read full biography
Kiera Kowalski
PhD Candidate, McMaster
University
Kiera Kowalski is a Michif (Red River Métis) woman and a citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation...Read full biography
Briana Linton
KT Officer, First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC)
Briana Linton (she/her) is a member of Muskoday First Nation in Saskatchewan. She currently...Read full biography
April MacNaughton
Office of the CMO of Public Health, FNIHB, ISC, and Adjunct Professor, UBC
April MacNaughton is of Ktunaxa Nation ancestry, from the Kootenay region of British Columbia...Read full biography
Michael McKnight
CPHI(C), CFNHM, Public Health Manager, Maskwacis Health Services
Michael McKnight is with Maskwacis Health Services in Alberta and a member of Samson Cree Nation...Read full biography
Melanie Morningstar
Associate Director of Health,
Assembly of First Nations (AFN)
Melanie Morningstar is a member of Garden River First Nation, Ontario. She is currently the Associate Director...Read full biography
Deanna Nyce
President and Chief Executive Officer of Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a Institute
Deanna Nyce is Tsimshian, and through marriage, a member of the Nisga’a First Nation...Read full biography
Chantelle Richmond
Professor and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health and the Environment, UWO
Dr. Chantelle Richmond (Biigtigong Nishnaabeg) is a Professor in the Department of...Read full biography
Jaris Swidrovich
Assistant Professor, Indigenous Engagement Lead, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, U of T
Dr. Jaris Swidrovich (he/they) is a queer, Two Spirit, Saulteaux and Ukrainian pharmacist from...Read full biography
Stanley Vollant
Director of Public Health, First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, Health and Social Services Commission, Wendake, Quebec
Dr. Stanley Vollant is an Innu from Pessamit First Nation and an eminent surgeon and a respected health...Read full biography
Honoured former advisory committee members
- Evan Tlesla Adams
- Terri Aldred
- Chris Andersen
- Kimberly Barker
- Andrew Bisson
- Kim Bulger
- Lorne Clearsky
- Mike DeGagné
- Tom Dignan
- Don Fiddler
- Elizabeth Ford
- Selma Ford
- Anna Fowler
- Diego Garcia
- Margo Greenwood
- Malcolm King
- Charlotte Loppie
- Albert Marshall
- Earl Nowgesic
- John O’Neil
- Jeff Reading
- Nicole Redvers
- Marjolaine Siouï
- Isaac Sobol
- Madeleine Kétéskwēw Dion Stout
- Shirley Tagalik
- Jonathan Thompson
- Gail Turner
- Dennis Wardman
Thank you to our committee
The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health benefits from the generous help of our Advisory Committee members who provide their expertise and guidance on behalf of the NCCIH at a variety of events and deliberations across the country and internationally. We are grateful for their ongoing commitment as well as the leadership they provide to Indigenous health in Canada.