Name: Culture as Medicine: Indigenous-Led Approaches to Health and Wellness
Start: 2025-04-16T13:00:00-0700
End: 2025-04-16T14:15:00-0700

Please note: Agenda Subject to Change

Disclosure of financial support: This conference has no external financial or in-kind supports
This conference has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 16.5 Mainpro+ Certified Activity credits.

Wednesday April 16, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm PDT

Indigenous knowledge has long recognized that culture itself is a form of healing. This panel will highlight initiatives across Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut that center Indigenous culture in health and wellness, ensuring Indigenous voices lead the development and delivery of these programs.

Discussion Points:

Indigenous-led health initiatives and their impact
Embedding cultural safety into healthcare systems
Challenges and supports in implementing strategies
How cultural knowledge is shaping the future of healthcare in the North

Speakers

Karen Blondin Hall

Director of Cultural Safety and Anti-Racism, Government of Northwest Territories' Department of Health and Social Services

Karen Blondin Hall (she/her/hers) is Sahtúgot’ine and a Délın̨ę beneficiary, born and raised in Yellowknife, NWT. As the Director of Cultural Safety and Anti-Racism at the GNWT’s Department of Health and Social Services, she draws upon over a decade of experience to lead... Read More →

Desiree Blackjack

Visionary, Thay K'i Anint'i (Fly Like an Eagle)

Desiree Blackjack is Northern Tutchone from Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation from the Crow Clan. She is the Visionary and Founder of Thay K'i Anint'i. After beginning her own healing journey in recovery, she started TKA to fill the gaps in the aftercare sector to offer culture... Read More →

Harry Maksagak

Family Resource Worker, Department of Family Services, Government of Nunavut

A well-respected Elder and dedicated community leader with extensive experience in counseling, publicspeaking, and social advocacy. His deep commitment to integrating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ)Principles and Inuit Societal Values (ISV) into his work has significantly impacted the... Read More →

Candace Parsons

Director of HR for Education, Yukon Government

Arijana Haramincic

Territorial Executive Director, Child and Family Services, Department of Health and Social Services ,GNWT

Arijana is a Territorial Executive Director, Child and Family Services, Department of Health and Social Services with GNWT. She has worked in the public sector for over 25 years, ranging from front line service delivery to senior and executive positions with significant experience... Read More →

Laura Salmon

Director, First Nations Health Programs

Laura Salmon started her professional career in nutrition when she moved to the Yukon over 25 years ago. She is the Director of First Nations Health Programs (FNHP), and oversees a wide variety of Yukon Hospitals programs and services for Indigenous patients. She works with partners... Read More →

Duy Dat Nguyen

Family Resource Specialist, Department of Family Services Government of Nunavut

Nguyen’s work emphasizes child welfare through a culturally grounded, prevention-focused approach rooted in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) Principles. He has been instrumental in the development of the Family Resource Program, designed to strengthen Inuit-specific wellness initiatives... Read More →

Dana Francey

Manager, Indigenous Child and Family Wellbeing, Health and Social Services, Government of NWT

Dana Francey (she/her) is Inuvialuk from Inuvik. She is the granddaughter of Mary Kaglik and daughter of Judy Kaglik (Francey) and Peter Francey. Dana was born in Inuvik and was raised both in Inuvik and various parts of southern Canada. She has two boys, ages 12 and 17 who are now... Read More →

Wednesday April 16, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm PDT

Moderated Panel

Tickets

Tri-Territorial Health & Social Professionals Conference