First Indigenous surgeon Doctor Nadine Caron visits Sagamok

By Leslie Knibbs

SAGAMOK ANISHNAWBEK—An invitation to attend the “Past, Present and Future Celebration” at the Multi Educational Centre on May 17 went out to all Sagamok residents to celebrate, honour and reconnect with Dr. Nadine Caron, the first Indigenous female surgeon in Canada.

Caron was the first female First Nations student to graduate from University of British Columbia’s medical school.  Dr. Caron’s connection to the community comes through her mother, a schoolteacher originally from Sagamok.  Both her mother and daughter attended the celebration sitting at a head table with her uncle Paul Trudeau, her mother’s brother.  The Centre was filled to capacity.

Following a meet and greet with Dr. Caron, Elder Margaret Toulouse gave an opening prayer before everyone sat down at the elegantly adorned tables awaiting the full course dinner expertly prepared by the Dillen family of Sagamok.

Opening remarks were delivered by Chief Paul Eshkakogan; Anna Marie Abitong, Director of Education; and Fern Assinewe, Director of Community Wellness.  Chief Eshkakogan welcomed Dr. Caron and her family as well as community members.

“Dr. Caron, welcome home,” said Chief Eshkakogan as he directly turned to address Dr. Caron. “I’m especially proud of members of the community.”

Addressing the many young people in attendance, Chief Eshkakogan asked them “to listen to what she says. We should be very proud of her.”

Education Director Anna Marie Abitong recognized and honoured three guest presenters including students Cecile Eshkawkogan and Ashton Owl.

Doctor of Pharmacy candidate Emily Trainor spoke to the audience via a video presentation from Vermont where she is starting her final work placement over the next year.  All presenters received a gift bag.

During an interlude amid honouring the youth presenters, Harvey Trudeau, head of Elders Council, presented Dr. Caron with the gift of an Eagle Feather.  The Eagle Feather is considered an honourable offering from the Creator. The duty of the carrier is to carry it with reverence by walking the ways of the Seven Teachings to the best of their ability.  An Eagle Feather is the most sacred of feathers.  Upon receiving the gift, a discernably thankful Dr. Caron smiled in appreciation with tears of happiness then said miigwetch, thanking Elder Trudeau and Chief Eshkagogan.

Following presentations from the three Sagamok youth, Robert Porter, Communications Director, introduced keynote speaker, Dr. Nadine Caron.

“Dr. Nadine Caron is a trailblazer in Canadian Indigenous medicine. She’s become known for balancing western medicine with a respect for Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing; she appreciates things with an Indigenous approach that comes to understand the nature of things from a number of perspectives, in ways that compare and contrast, learn and share from one another.”

According to Porter, Dr. Caron is “outspoken about racism present in Canada’s health care system.”

In an interview with CBC radio on June 22, 2016, with Laura Lynch on the Current, Dr. Caron related a personal story where she witnessed racism in the medical profession.

“I remember this one time, it was many years ago … And a surgeon came in. And he had just finished a long case. And he sat down and was like, ‘phew, if I never operate on another Indian it’ll be too soon’.”

During her presentation, Dr. Caron spoke to everyone on the importance of turning around and helping others find their path in life and career once a person has accomplished his or her goals. Using the analogy of a person being the first to walk through a field of tall grass, breaking down and bending the tall grass to start a trail, she expressed her wishes and hopes that others may follow and eventually make the path a well-worn trail for others to follow in order to get to their destination or reach their goals.

Dr. Caron told everyone, “We celebrate [being] first, but realize we don’t want [to be] first, we want to talk about the many.

Dr. Caron expressed admiration and encouragement to the youth presenters.

“It’s priceless to have self-confidence,” she said.  “We have to be there for the youth, they need to see the potential we see in them.”

Following Dr. Caron’s presentation, Elder Margaret Toulouse gave a closing prayer prior to the Biiwaaseyaa Juniors performing a travel song.