Gathering Together: Indigenous Student Dinner hosted by Indigenous Leaders at PHSA/BCCDC and UBC SPPH

On January 20, the Indigenous Leaders at the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)/BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and the UBC School of Population and Public Health (SPPH) hosted its inaugural Gathering Together: Indigenous Student Dinner at the UBC Medical Student and Alumni Centre. The dinner provided an opportunity for Indigenous students at SPPH to get to know the Indigenous Leaders working in Public Health and learn about the work happening in the health system to address Indigenous-specific racism in health care, system transformation and other Indigenous Health initiatives.  

This collaborative event was organized in partnership through Mike Marin, Master of Public Health Program Director, and Janene Erickson (Nak’azdli Whut’en), Executive Director of Indigenous Health at BCCDC, and their hard-working teams. Indigenous students from the School had the opportunity to connect with health leaders from organizations such as PHSA, BCCDC, and the BC Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) fostering mentorship, community building, and potential practicum opportunities. 

The evening began with warm opening remarks from Joe Gallagher (Tla’amin), Vice President of Indigenous Health at PHSA; Jat Sandhu, Chief Strategy Officer at BCCDC; and Mike Marin, MPH Program Director at UBC. Following the remarks, students sat alongside leaders in circle and shared about themselves and their interests. 

From left to right: Janene Erickson (Nak’azdli Whut’en), Mike Marin, Jat Sandhu, and Joe Gallagher (Tla’amin)

In alignment with First Nations teachings, nourishment for the students was an important consideration in the planning for the gathering,  Dinner was provided by Salmon N’ Bannock— the only Indigenous restaurant in Vancouver that uses local and traditional ingredients.

Dinner by caterer, Salmon N’ Bannock

After dinner, Indigenous health leaders gave a series of presentations to provide students with valuable insights into ongoing initiatives and opportunities to get involved. 

The speakers included: 

• Dr. Krista Stelkia (Syilx/Tlingit), Nominated Principal Investigator, BC Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) 
• Darian Nyuli (K’áhshó Got’ı̨ ı̨nę (Dene)), Manager, Sanya’kula, Indigenous Recruitment, PHSA 
• Gabriella Emery (Kwakwaka’wakw), Program Manager and Olivia Reynolds (Anishinaabe/Cree), Lead, Indigenous Youth Wellness, PHSA 
• Sydney Roberts (Kwakwaka’wakw, ligwiłda’xw Weiwaikum/Kwakiutl, Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw, Tlingit), Educator, Chee Mamuk, BCCDC 
• Sherri DiLallo (Métis), Executive Director, Indigenous Health, BC Children’s & Women’s Hospital

From left to right: Dr. Krista Stelkia (Syilx/Tlingit) and Darian Nyuli (K’áhshó Got’ı̨ ı̨nę (Dene)) 

(Top) Gabriella Emery (Kwakwaka’wakw) and Olivia Reynolds (Anishinaabe/Cree); (Bottom left to right) Sydney Roberts (Kwakwaka’wakw, ligwiłda’xw Weiwaikum/Kwakiutl, Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw, Tlingit), and Sherri DiLallo (Métis) 

“As Indigenous leaders, we have a responsibility to the next generation and to create spaces and pathways for them to be successful leaders of tomorrow. I raise my hands to Mike Marin for partnering on this step towards creating a holistic system of support for Indigenous students (UBC ISP Goal 8). By wrapping around Indigenous students in our ways and connecting with them, we begin the journey towards meaningful experiences and opportunities ahead. This gathering was an opportunity to support and uplift Indigenous students as they navigate their educational journey in public health and share what’s happening in the work ahead of them.”

Janene Erickson (Nak’azdli Whut’en), Executive Director of Indigenous Health at BCCDC

“This event is an important opportunity to connect Indigenous students with Indigenous leaders who are making incredible contributions and necessary changes to public health. Building out this network in partnership with the Indigenous community is vital, and I thank Janene for her vision and for guiding me on this, and allowing me to follow her lead in fostering these connections. It’s about creating a space where students can feel supported, valued, build community, and see themselves as part of a growing network of Indigenous public health leaders.”  

Mike Marin, MPH Program Director at UBC

We would like to acknowledge and thank the students who made time in their busy schedules to attend the gathering and hope that they went away feeling wrapped, with full tummies and full hearts.