We're thrilled to have Dr Alika Lafontaine, the first Indigenous president of the Canadian Medical Association, as our guest on this episode of Mino Bimaadiziwin. In this frank and thoughtful conversation, host Sherry Huff and Dr Lafontaine talk about the barriers to health and wellness caused by systemic racism, what the death of First Nations woman Joyce Echaguan in a Quebec hospital revealed about the obstacles that exist to overcoming systemic racism and what changes need to happen at both the individual and institutional level. They also discuss the importance that traditional medicine and practices play in improving outcomes for First Nations patients, and how that can be better integrated into the mainstream health care system.

As well as being President of the Canadian Medical Association, Dr. Lafontaine, is an anesthesiologist practicing in Grand Prairie, Alberta. He has won many awards over his career and previously served as President of the Indigenous Physicians Association. A proud member of the Métis Nation Alberta, he has Anishinaabe, Cree, Métis and Pacific Islander ancestry and was born and raised in Treaty 4 territory in southern Saskatchewan.

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Our theme music is by Courtney Riley, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.

Mino Bimaadiziwin is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions and the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation.