Advancing Health Equity and Inclusion for Indigenous Peoples in Northwestern Ontario

Dr. Miranda Lesperance (pictured 3rd from the left), Vice President, Indigenous Collaboration, Equity and Inclusion at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), recently had a unique opportunity to connect with Indigenous health leaders from Australia, to speak about advancing health equity and inclusion for Indigenous Peoples in Northwestern Ontario.

The goal of the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health is to establish a new generation of Indigenous health leaders and researchers through Indigenous-led programs that build health leadership capital and create academic pathways and career networks in Australia and internationally.

The Leadership Fellows program at the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health is designed for Indigenous early career staff with a health focus in academic, policy, clinical, or research roles in academia, government, health delivery, and community sectors. Poche Fellows are a select group of emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strati Islander leaders, and are outstanding individuals with incredible knowledge, interests, and skills.

The 2023 Poche Fellows were in Toronto, Ontario learning about Indigenous Health Leadership in Canada, and they invited Dr. Lesperance to speak to them about her role and portfolio at TBRHSC, as well as the unique opportunities and challenges faced when delivering care to Indigenous populations in Northwestern Ontario. Dr. Lesperance also learned more about Indigenous health delivery and leadership in Australia after sitting in ceremony together at the Askaakamigokwewigamig (Mother Earth Learning Lodge) at the University of Toronto.

The Fellows had exceptional positive feedback on the comprehensive work that TBRHSC has undertaken as part of our Strategic Plan 2026, as well as in partnership with Indigenous communities and organizations in Northwestern Ontario. Further connections will be established with other hospitals in Australia to share best practices in improving Indigenous health outcomes in both Canada and Australia, and highlight the work that TBRHSC has done and will continue to do to improve Indigenous health outcomes.

For more information on Indigenous Health Services at TBRHSC, please visit https://tbrhsc.net/home/indigenous-health-services/.