Dr. Margo Greenwood, Academic Leader, NCCIH
Dr. Margo Greenwood appointed interim scientific director of CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health
June 2022
Dr. Margo Greenwood, academic leader of the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH), has been appointed interim scientific director of the CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health for a term of three years. The Institute, like the NCCIH, will be hosted at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC).
"I am delighted that Dr. Greenwood is joining CIHR in the role of scientific director of the CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health" said Dr. Michael Strong, president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) who travelled to Prince George to make the announcement. She will help guide the Institute, our Governing Council, and all of CIHR, as we collectively strive to achieve our strategic goal of accelerating the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples in health research while contributing to broader Government of Canada priorities related to the health of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and its commitment to advancing reconciliation and implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action".
As scientific director, Dr. Greenwood will play a leadership role in advancing Indigenous self-determination in health research while building a trusting relationship with the Indigenous research community. She will also be instrumental in finding a way forward in respecting the unique identities of rights-holding groups and establishing the hiring process for the next Scientific Director in collaboration with Indigenous communities.
I am deeply honoured to take up this new role and responsibilities as interim Scientific Director with the CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health. I look forward to continuing to build on the vital work set out in the strategic plans of CIHR and the IIPH. In this work it is critical to engage with Indigenous individuals, communities, and organizations across the country. - Dr. Margo Greenwood
Dr. Margo Greenwood with CIHR, UNBC, and NCCIH staff.
Several Indigenous leaders have expressed their congratulations to Dr. Greenwood, including Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), RoseAnne Archibald, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), and Cassidy Caron, president of Métis National Council (MNC).
Dr. Greenwood is a highly acclaimed Indigenous scholar of Cree ancestry. In addition to her position as NCCIH academic leader, she is a professor in the Education program at the University of Northern British Columbia.
Dr. Greenwood is recognized nationally and internationally for her work in early childhood care and education of Indigenous children and in public health. In December 2021, she was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada for her scholarship in early childhood education and her transformational leadership in Indigenous health policy. From 2006 to 2013, Dr. Greenwood was a Member and Chair of the Institute Advisory Board for the CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health.
Read the full CIHR press release (PDF).