News
Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day
2026-06-21
June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is the 30th anniversary of the day, which celebrates the distinct histories, traditions, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples from coast to coast to coast.
Indigenous members of the CFPC contribute significantly to the organization’s work and throughout health care systems. We see this in the work that Indigenous family physician and President Elect Dr. Sarah Funnell does on the Board of Directors. The Indigenous Health Committee guides the CFPC through a host of initiatives including advancing our Declaration of Commitment Cultural Safety and Humility in Health Services Delivery for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People in Canada and creating clinical content. Indigenous members of the CFPC contribute a diversity of expertise, culture, and knowledge throughout local, provincial, territorial, and national health care systems as physicians, researchers, educators, mentors, and colleagues.
As leaders at the CFPC, we are continuing our own journey of learning and understanding.
Dr. Sarah Cook
“I am fortunate to live and work in the Northwest Territories, where half of the population is Indigenous and where I have learned and grown so much as a physician and as a person. It is an ongoing journey to learn what “allyship” means, in the face of very stark harms from colonization and our health care system. It was a privilege to host the CFPC’s Board of Directors recently, where we made learning a focus. We opened our meeting with Dene drummers, met with TRC Commissioner Marie Wilson, participated in a talking circle with Stanton Territorial Hospital Elder Felix Lockhart, and joined Elder Lila Erasmus on a medicine walk to learn about healing from the land.”
Dr. Michael Allan
“One of my greatest honours as CEO was being a signatory to the NCIME (National Circle of Indigenous Medical Education) and Partners’ Declaration of Shared Purpose and Commitment.”
CEO Dr. Michael Allan and President-Elect Dr. Sarah Funnell sign the National Circle of Indigenous Medical Education and Partners’ Declaration of Shared Purpose and Commitment.
Sincerely,
Sarah Cook, MD, CCFP, FCFP, CCPE, CHE
President
Michael Allan, MD, CCFP, FCFP
Chief Executive Officer
