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.
It’s World Mental Health Day—How’s your mental health? 🧠💚  We’re sharing a 2022 message from Dr. Nel Wieman, former IPAC President, about the importance of maintaining good mental health and wellness: https://www.fnha.ca/.../its-world-mental-health-day-hows...  Remember, support and crisis contacts are available on IPAC’s website: https://ipacamic.ca/general/support-and-crisis-contacts/
You are important and loved. 💜 #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalWellness #SelfCare
In time for World Mental Health Day on October 10, we’re excited to share the Wellness and Healing Resource Guide for Indigenous Physicians and Learners created by @cma_docs in collaboration with the IPAC This guide offers a variety of resources available coast to coast to coast for those seeking support in maintaining their well-being.  Self-care, connection, and community are essential. Remember, everyone’s healing journey is unique. 💚  Download here: https://bit.ly/47HCzTs
#WorldMentalHealthDay #Wellness #IndigenousHealth #SelfCare #HealingJourney
Call for Nominations!  We invite you to nominate a fellow Indigenous medical learner or physician for the @afmc.ca Awards! Let’s recognize and celebrate their leadership, excellence, and achievements in academic medicine and their contributions to Indigenous health.  Nominations close on October 13th - https://bit.ly/45945Xx  #AFMCAwards  #IndigenousHealth #AcademicMedicine #MedEd #HealthResearch
Attention Indigenous medical learners! Don’t miss the CaRMS Virtual Panel
(West) on October 10th! Our mentors, including current residents and fellows,
will be speaking and sharing their CaRMS journeys. Hear their stories, learn from their experiences, and get expert advice on navigating the process with
confidence. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable insights!  🗓 Date: October 10
🕐 Time: 6 PM Pacific
📍 Virtual Event - https://app.glueup.com/event/carms-panel-west-113703 
Register today and get ready to make the most of your CaRMS journey! 🌟  #CaRMS #Residency #MedicalStudents #Mentorship
#CaRMSPanel #FutureDoctor
In this edition, we feature a message from our new President, Dr. Ojistoh Horn, and highlight Dr. Alexa Lesperance in our Member Spotlight.  We'll recap an already bustling fall season, highlighting our successful Mentorship Events and an exciting announcement from the  @trcreportcardproject!  Plus, you won't want to miss our preview of upcoming events, including the highly anticipated @aidaaustralia PRIDoC. 🎉  👉 https://bit.ly/47Z60Aw  #IndigenousHealth #MentorshipMatters #PRIDoC2024 #IndigenousLeadership #HealthAdvocacy
Attention Indigenous medical learners! Don’t miss the CaRMS Virtual Panel (East) on October 3rd!  Our mentors, including current residents and fellows, will be speaking and sharing their CaRMS journeys. Hear their stories, learn from their experiences, and get expert advice on navigating the process with confidence. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable insights!  🗓 Date: October 3rd
🕐 Time: 6 PM Eastern
📍 Virtual Event - https://app.glueup.com/event/carms-panel-east-113702/  Can’t make it? Don’t worry! We’ve got a West-Friendly Session on October 10th at 6 PM PT. https://app.glueup.com/event/carms-panel-west-113703/  Register today and get ready to make the most of your CaRMS journey! 🌟  #CaRMS #Residency #MedicalStudents #Mentorship #CaRMSPanel #FutureDoctors
Sharing a valuable resource for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This poster was created by the ICSH Provincial Working Group for Primary and Community Care, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and @fnha
Feel free to share it within your networks as we continue working toward truth, reconciliation, and healing.  (Please note that the links are clickable in the PDF. You can find the link to the PDF below.)  https://ipacamic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TruthAndReconcilliation-for-Clinicians-FNHA-MOH-ICSH-1.pdf  #TruthAndReconciliation #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation #IndigenousHealth  #ReconciliationJourney #IndigenousVoices #NDTR
🧡 On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, IPAC stands with Indigenous  communities and all those affected to honour the strength and resilience of Residential School Survivors, intergenerational survivors, their families, and all those impacted by colonialism in Canada.  We encourage everyone to take time and space today — for those affected to heal, and for others to reflect and educate themselves on the ongoing journey of reconciliation.  Please contact the 24-Hour Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 if you require emotional support.  #TruthAndReconciliation #EveryChildMatters #IndigenousResilience #NDTR #HealingAndJustice
Trigger Warning: Discussions of racism and discrimination in healthcare  In a recent @cbc article, Dr. Alexa Lesperance, an Anishinaabe family physician and Vice-President of IPAC, highlights how many Indigenous patients anticipate poor treatment due to the long-standing history of racism and discrimination within Canada’s healthcare system.  Read the full article to learn more about the challenges Indigenous communities face and the urgent need for systemic change.  🔗 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/thunder-bay-hospital-photo-1.7335095
#IndigenousHealth #HealthcareEquity  #EndRacism
In recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we will be closed on Monday, September 30th.  Give yourself the space you need on this day. Whether through reflection, learning, or simply taking time to care for your well-being. Your healing matters.  If you need support, please reach out. 24 Hour Residential School Crisis at 1-866-925-4419. You're not alone. 🧡  #NDTR #TruthAndReconciliation #EveryChildMatters
Next week, September 30th, all Canadians are invited to reflect on the history and ongoing impact of the residential school system. It’s a day to honour the resilience, strength, and dignity of survivors and intergenerational survivors, and to remember the children who never came home.  Let’s come together to engage, educate, and take meaningful action.  #TruthAndReconciliation #EveryChildMatters #IndigenousResilience #NDTR #NeverForgotten