Niigaanegabow Indigenous Leadership Award helps fund medical education for future Indigenous physicians at NOSM University

A major financial award from the CMA Foundation, the Canadian Medical Association’s (CMA) Foundation, recognizes medical students at NOSM University who demonstrate exceptional leadership within Indigenous communities. Named the Niigaanegabow Indigenous Leadership Award, the $250,000 grant will support two Indigenous medical students annually for five years and demonstrates CMA Foundation’s ongoing commitment to advancing reconciliation in Indigenous health and wellness. 

Nii-gaa-ne-ga-bow means “one that stands in front” in Anishinaabemowin, and reflects leadership, courage, and the responsibility of those who lead within and for their communities. The award was named by members of the NOSM University Elders and Knowledge Carriers Circle. 

Each year, two Indigenous medical students will receive a scholarship and be supported to develop their own leadership capacity in support of the advancement of Indigenous medical education in Northern Ontario. In addition, the recipients will collaborate with Sioux Lookout-based Indigenous artist Elliott Doxtater-Wynn, who creates a spirit portrait that reflects and celebrates their personal journey in medicine. 

In addition to supporting the Leadership Awards, the CMA Foundation also provided $25,000 to support the participation of members of NOSM University’s Elders and Knowledge Carriers Circle at the 35th Annual Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada’s Mentorship Gathering. This national Gathering brought together approximately 250 Indigenous physicians, residents, support staff, and medical students from across Canada. The 2026 event had the largest group of Elders and Knowledge Carriers to ever attend an IPAC Gathering—made possible in part with funding from the CMA Foundation. 

“At NOSM University, we are deeply grateful to the members of the Elders and Knowledge Carriers Circle who shared their gifts and teachings with us. Their participation in this Gathering is an important expression of our responsibility to better understand and honour their wisdom,” says Dr. Joseph LeBlanc, NOSM University Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion. 

“Indigenous medical students go on to provide culturally safe care throughout their careers. By supporting these students during their journey through medical school, the CMA Foundation is making a meaningful contribution to health equity and helping to strengthen health care in the North,” says Dr. Michael Green, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO of NOSM University. 

“The CMA and CMA Foundation are committed to advancing more equitable health care in allyship with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. Through the Niigaanegabow Indigenous Leadership Award, we are honoured to support Indigenous medical students entering the health-care system, whose leadership will help catalyze a transformed system, while also strengthening culturally safe care in their communities,” says Allison Seymour, President, CMA Foundation and Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Partnerships, Canadian Medical Association. 

— 30 — 

About NOSM University 

NOSM University is Canada’s first independent medical university and one of the greatest education and physician workforce strategy success stories of Northern Ontario. More than just a medical university, it was purpose-built to address the health needs of the region. While advocating for equitable access to care, the university contributes to the economic development of Northern Ontario. NOSM University relies on the commitment and expertise of the people of Northern Ontario to educate health-care professionals to practise in Indigenous, Francophone, rural, remote, and underserved communities. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and advocacy, NOSM University is an award-winning, socially accountable organization renowned for its innovative model of distributed, community-engaged education and research.  

For further information, please contact news@nosm.ca.  

About CMA Foundation and the Canadian Medical Association 

The CMA Foundation is a registered charity, designated as a private foundation, whose sole member is the Canadian Medical Association. CMA Foundation’s purpose is to provide impactful charitable giving to registered Canadian charities and qualified donees to improve health equity and further excellence in health care. 

The Canadian Medical Association leads a national movement with physicians who believe in a better future of health. Our ambition is a sustainable, accessible health system where patients are partners, a culture of medicine that elevates equity, diversity and wellbeing, and supportive communities where everyone has the chance to be healthy. We drive change through advocacy, giving and knowledge sharing—guided by values of collaboration and inclusion.