Q: Tell me about yourself! What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?
A: I draw great joy from spending time with family and friends whether gathering over a meal, celebrating a special occasion or just hanging out. Gardening, fishing, time at the family cabin, being on the water, and being on the land in the great Northwest – are all things that do my heart good!
: You’ve been a champion for public health for many years. Can you speak more about your work on the NWHU Board of Health and the alPHa Board of Directors? What challenges do you face? What do you find rewarding about this work?
A: The NWHU Board of Health serves in a legislated governance role to fulfil the Health Protection and Promotion Act and ensure implementation of the Ontario Public Health Standards requirements for public health programs and services to ensure the health of the population. I am continually inspired by my board colleagues with their passion for local public health, and as leaders in their municipal jurisdictions. As a board, together we support the NWHU senior leadership team, and staff as ‘boots on the ground’. Collectively, we are all committed to the good work of public health.
The Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) is the unified voice of Ontario’s local public health agencies, Ontario’s medical officers of health, boards of health, and affiliate public health associations. I serve on this Board of Directors as the representative for the boards of health of Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Northwestern Health Unit. As the Chair of this board of directors, I work with a dedicated team of volunteers and a supportive staff. We advocate to the provincial decision makers, and key policy influencers – for a strong and resilient public health system.
I have always lived in Northwestern Ontario and at both of these public health tables I believe that I bring knowledge, leadership experience, and a strong voice.
Q: What are your hopes for what your work can achieve? Have you seen change in the outcomes of this work throughout your career?
A: Preventing illness, promoting, and preserving the health of the population on a day-to-day basis that local public health provides certainly doesn’t seem exciting or draw people’s attention to the work of public health. However, as the world recently experienced in the public health crisis of the century, the profile of local public health took off like a rocket! Not only raising the profile of public health, but it also magnified added harms in terms of population health, including health inequities, impacts on mental health, neglect of chronic diseases, increased alcohol abuse and substance use.
The essential value of public health was proven as Ontario did comparatively well to other regions in Canada and around the world. I was really proud of the Métis support for public health measures, and the achievement of significantly high vaccination rates, along with the unsurpassed support for Métis citizens through the outreach by local councils and the local MNO office staff.
Throughout my volunteer career I have seen many positive outcomes. One significant change or outcome that I celebrate is serving on the Northwest Early Years Steering Committee with the purpose to develop a regional action plan “Steering Together for a Promising Start” that became a provincial exemplar. Today, I see many of the components of that action plan thriving effectively in our communities, libraries, daycares and schools. As well, as in my role as the former Chair of the Ontario Parent Council, with the goal to increase parental involvement in Ontario’s education system, such as the establishment of school/parent advisory councils. In my public health role, my hope is for the outcome of a strong, resilient and valued local public health system across the province.
Q: Your work also often includes advocacy for local communities. What does successful advocacy look like?
A: The life expectancy rates for those living in the north are lower and mortality rates higher than the rates in the province overall. People in the north are more likely to die prematurely due to circulatory disease and respiratory disease and are more likely to report having multiple chronic conditions. Substance use, and addiction rates of alcohol and opioids top the charts. There are persistent inequities in the north despite provincial health care initiatives. Some can be attributed to systemic challenges, serving a population spread over such a wide area with a low population density. Inequities are also the result of many variables beyond the health care system known as the social determinants of health.
While typically it can be difficult to quantify, we know that public health’s upstream approach saves significant health care dollars overall, and a healthy population contributes to a healthy economy that stays open. Successful advocacy for the Northwest, which I consider my ‘local community’, is for the province to fully address these inequities and guarantee investment and support for the health of our population. Really it is a ‘win-win’ as there is no better return on investment.
Q: You’ve been recognized for your extensive volunteer experience with the Ontario Volunteer Service Award. What do you believe are the benefits for young people getting involved in volunteering? What drove you to volunteer for so many communities and organizations?
A: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make” are wise words of primatologist Jane Goodall. To be recognized as making a difference by my peers, has truly been an honour. Although, that is not what drives me. From an early age I saw the difference my parents made in their volunteerism. In northern and rural communities there is significant social connectedness. The northern spirit is to roll up our sleeves, and pitch in to support each other. Volunteering has always given me a sense of purpose, and it is an important and meaningful way to give back. Volunteering is very rewarding at any age.
Q: How has being Métis shaped your experiences and perspective, both personally and in your work as a public health official?
A: Although fishing, hunting, foraging for mushrooms and berry picking have always been important aspects of my life, I grew up with little awareness of my Métis heritage. These last few years, I have really been enjoying Métis culture through participation in activities centered around preparing traditional Métis foods, beading, storytelling and knowledge sharing. I am on a quest to garner further understanding and perspective. Indigenous peoples are a significant population in Northwestern Ontario. An important element of the work of public health is addressing reconciliation, building relationships and trust with Indigenous peoples, respecting their values and culture. I am passionately steadfast in my commitment to support the work of public health to improve the health outcomes of the entire population.
Q: How have you overcome adversity? What advice would you offer to a younger version of yourself or younger folks currently battling through adversity?
A: Adversity is hard to avoid no matter what path is chosen. I have worked in sectors that at the time were non-traditional for women and I have never been afraid to take on leadership positions that may require blazing a trail. My advice to my younger self would be to follow your path and pursue your passion, even if it feels like an uphill battle. Facing adversity and challenges are often an opportunity to find inner strength, to grow, and to increase resilience. Adversity strikes everyone at some point in life and if you can, embrace it as an opportunity.
Q: What’s one piece of advice that you’ve learned throughout your career that you would like to share with other Métis folks?
A: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead, anthropologist.
Stand up and be counted as a Métis citizen. Data and numbers tell a story and are relevant drivers to support programs, funding and initiatives for government decision makers, and key policy influencers. Get involved in your community! It’s easy to sit back and criticize, however if you want to see a real difference – contribute to making that difference.
Please note that some of the above answers have been edited for brevity and readability.