Our Vision

Healthy and vibrant Indigenous nations, communities, families and individuals – supported by Indigenous physicians and others who are contributing to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of our people and having a positive impact on the social determinants of Indigenous health.

Our Mission

As Indigenous physicians and students who are diversely rooted in our traditional teachings and our respective communities, IPAC members embrace and commit to collaboratively use our skills, abilities and experiences to advance the health of our nations, communities, families and individuals. IPAC provides knowledge for communities, national Indigenous organizations and health care providers; advocates for Indigenous peoples’ health; and acts as a support mechanism for Indigenous physicians and students.

Our Beliefs & Values

IPAC’s beliefs and values originate from communities, our ancestors and the traditional teachings found within our diverse Indigenous cultures. We believe that Indigenous peoples deserve the best health possible. We honour the wholistic view of health (body, mind, spirit and heart) including traditional knowledge and practices. We believe that Indigenous physicians are honoured with positions of trust in the communities and commitment to our responsibilities are reflected in our work.

We value respectful and ethical interactions among all individuals, organizations and groups with whom we work. We hold ourselves to the values and principles that originate from our traditional teachings and we honor the various traditional teachings of all nations across Turtle Island. We guide ourselves, our work and our organization on these teachings through our relationships with each other.

Seven Teachings, commonly held by Anishinaabe, Nehiyaw, and Nakoda peoples:

Love

of people, communities and Indigenous ways of being

Respect

for knowledge, wisdom, communities and each other

Courage

to stand up for our ways of being and the application and integration of Indigeneity in all things we do as an organization

Honesty

among the membership 
and staff and with the organizations and individuals with whom we work

Wisdom

use of traditional teachings to approach our way of being and with our work

Humility

to know our limitations and to seek guidance when necessary

Truth

to always speak the truth as an organization and to speak the truth to each other

Gayanashagowa

The Haudenosaunee Great Law of Peace

The Great Law of Peace was written and symbolized
through wampum belts alongside the oral stories that
were passed down with it. These stories include the Great Peacemaker Dekanawidah and his spokesman Hiawatha as they journey through the five (now six) Haundenosaunee Nations attempting to end war and unify under one confederacy. Dekanawidah and Hiawatha were successful. There are now several versions of the Great Law of Peace, many of which have been translated into English, which, depending on the version, has 117 articles. An excerpt can be found below:

We uproot the tallest white pine, into the cavity we cast all weapons of war, we replant the tree and with this establish the Great Peace, we declare hostilities shall end between the five nations, and we shall live as a united people.

One version of full text was prepared by Gerald Murphy, the National Public Telecomputing Network and the Constitution Society.

Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit

InuuqatigiitsiarniqRespecting others, relationships and 
caring for people.
PijitsirniqServing and providing for family 
and/or community.
Pilimmaksarniq / PijariuqsarniqDevelopment of skills through observation, mentoring, practice, and effort.
Piliriqatigiinniq / IkajuqtigiinniqWorking together for a common cause.
TunnganarniqFostering good spirits by being open, welcoming and inclusive.
AajiiqatigiinniqDecision making through discussion 
and consensus.
QanuqtuurniqBeing innovative and resourceful.
Avatittinnik KamatsiarniqRespect and care for the land, animals and the environment.

Dene Laws

Ełeghaets’edendıhShare what you have
Ełets’áts’ęndıHelp each other
Ełeghǫnets’etǫLove each other as much as possible
Ǫhndah gots’edıhchá & godhąh ahsıı azhǫ chuBe respectful of elders and everything around you
T’ahsıı ots’edıhshǫ gogháts’ıɂáhPass on the teachings
Łáǫlıh t’áh gogha gonezųBe happy at all times
Tedhe ts’ete & dzenę eghálats’ęndaSleep at night and work during the day
Dene ts’ę nahzų gots’ęh thá t’áh dene ahdahndı ıleBe polite and don’t argue with anyone
Ts’élıą gots’ęh denelıą ełegedıhchá gha góɂǫYoung girls and boys should behave respectfully

Our Mandate

IPAC derives its authority from the teachings of our ancestors, from the legitimacy of the history of our experiences, and from our communities and peoples. As an organization of contemporary medicine people, IPAC recognizes the health inequities of Indigenous people and communities who look to us for leadership and knowledge. We believe it is our responsibility and right to come together to help improve other Indigenous peoples’ physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and to impact the determinants of Indigenous health.

Our Operating Principles

The following principles guide us; they become the lenses through which all IPAC activities are considered and implemented:

  • Indigeneity is maintained and respected throughout all IPAC activities
  • IPAC is well funded to conduct its business successfully
  • IPAC’s staff, board members, and members work together in a healthy team environment of wholistic wellness
  • IPAC members are actively engaged in IPAC activities
  • IPAC conducts all activities within its mandate and within its capacity to ensure focus and momentum

Our Strategic Priorities

  • Advance the health of Indigenous lands including its’ nations, communities, and individuals.
  • Support current and future Indigenous physicians, residents and medical students.
  • Strengthen the Association and build relationships.
Day One Highlights from #PRIDoC24! 
What an incredible start to PRIDoC 2024! Here a few of today’s inspiring sessions:
- The Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara, and Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council
- Language and Identity Panel with Dr. Karen Hill
- Centering Indigenous Knowledge Systems with Dr. Mandy Buss
- The @trcreportcardproject  It’s only Day One, and the energy, knowledge, and shared stories are already inspiring meaningful change. Stay tuned for more highlights as we continue this incredible journey together!  @aidaaustralia #IndigenousHealth #PRIDoC24 #TruthAndReconciliation
PRIDoC Faculty Development Day!  Learning about cultural safety in medical education and healthcare systems at #PRIDoC24 Thanks to the incredible support from @CMA_Docs, @ipacindigenousphysicianscanada, and @AIDAAustralia for making this gathering possible. #IndigenousHealth #FutureDoctors #PRIDoC24
PRIDoC Council 2024  These are the folks that ensure we all gather every two years and stay connected in between.  We are stronger when we stand together.  Celebrating Indigenous medical excellence and cultural exchange at #PRIDoC24.  Thanks to the incredible support from the @cma_docs, IPAC Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada and @aidaaustralia for making this gathering possible. #IndigenousHealth #FutureDoctors #PRIDoC24
IPAC stands with @unaidsglobal in taking the RIGHTS path towards a world where everyone can access safe and equitable HIV services.  #WorldAIDSDay2024
Meet Taylore Dupuis Shalovsky, a @schulichmeddent @westernuniversity student on a mission to boost Indigenous representation and cultural safety in medicine! 🩺 Read how she’s working to reduce barriers for Indigenous learners and patients.  📖 https://news.westernu.ca/2024/09/indigenous-representation-cultural-safety-medicine/  (Photo courtesy of Megan Morris/Schulich Communications)  #IndigenousHealth #CulturalSafety #IndigenousDoctors #RepresentationMatters #westernuniversity
We are so excited for you, Michael! 🎉  Dr. Michael Dumont, former Vice-President of IPAC (Anishinaabe, Shawanaga First Nation), will be a keynote speaker at #PRIDoC24!  As Medical Director at Lu’ma Medical Centre, Dr. Dumont blends traditional Indigenous and Western medicine with a two-eyed seeing approach. He partners with Musqueam First Nation for on-reserve care and represents 8 Indigenous-led clinics as spokesperson for the First Nations and Aboriginal Primary Care Network. 🩺🌿  Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association #IndigenousDoctors
The countdown is on to #PRIDoC24! Just 5 days to go until the conference begins on Kaurna Country, #Adelaide!  72 Canadian Delegates, including IPAC members, will be there, with several presenting. 🎤🌍  Keep checking back for updates as we gear up for this incredible event! 🙌🏽🔥
@aidaaustralia  #IndigenousHealth #IndigenousDoctors #FutureDoctors
Today, on #internationaldayfortheeliminationofviolenceagainstwomen, we stand united to amplify voices, support survivors, and demand systemic change. This UN-observed day reminds us that gender-based violence must end.  Let’s advocate for safety, justice, and a world where women live free from violence and fear. Join us in raising awareness and supporting the movement.  #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #UNWomen #OrangeTheWorld #NoExcuse
The IPAC Board of Directors and Executive Director Melanie Osmack were honoured to be invited to a significant milestone celebration in Quebec. 🎓✨ The four medical schools in Quebec— @ulaval, @mcgillu, @umontreal, and @usherbrooke —gathered to celebrate the 100th medical student in the Quebec Indigenous Pathways Program!  We extend our gratitude to @albertadoctors, the @ontariosdoctors, and @novascotiahealthauthorrity for their generous support, which made our Board’s participation in this momentous event possible.  ----
Le Conseil d'administration de l'AMIC et la directrice générale Melanie Osmack ont eu l'honneur d'être invités à une célébration marquante au Québec. 🎓✨ Les quatre facultés de médecine du Québec—Université Laval, Université McGill, Université de Montréal et Université de Sherbrooke—se sont réunies pour célébrer le 100e étudiant en médecine du Programme des Voies Autochtones en Médecine du Québec!  Nous tenons à remercier l'Alberta Medical Association, l'Ontario Medical Association et Nova Scotia Health pour leur généreux soutien, qui a permis la participation de notre Conseil à cet événement historique.  #IndigenousHealth #MedicalEducation #CollaboratingForHealth
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