2025 Tony H. Jocko Memorial Heroes in Health Award winners announced
BAAWAATING – The Tony H. Jocko Memorial Heroes in Health Award winners were presented at the Neyaab Deaapnigaadeg Mno-Bimaadiziwin Aadawining, Wiijiinding, miinwaa Naadawending (Reclaiming Wellness through Culture, Connection and Care) Conference on October 22 in Sault Sainte Marie, Ont. The health conference is hosted annually by the Anishinabek Nation Health Department.
The Director of Health for the Anishinabek Nation, Jamie Restoule, introduced the awards by remembering the late Tony Jocko.
“We have been very fortunate to have had such a dedicated and devoted person work for the Anishinabek Nation,” said Restoule. “As some of you may or may not know, Tony was a man with great distinction. He had a wonderful sense of humour, and he treated everyone with kindness, respect, and compassion on a personal and professional level. Tony was a deeply impactful figure, not just in health policy, but for the Anishinabek Nation as a whole. His work as a Federal Health Policy Analyst has had a lasting influence on the community and leadership. His dedication to advocating for the health and well-being of the 39 First Nations speaks volumes about his commitment. Today, we celebrate and honour his memory and his work through the recognition of individuals who are also dedicated to providing quality care in First Nations health.”
Penasayquay-Germaine Trudeau-Elliott, Serpent River First Nation, Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Team. Germaine was nominated by Lynn Monague-Sauvé, President, Board of Directors, Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle.
Germaine is Anishinaabekwe, of the Fish Clan, who has been working for the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle as the Executive Director of the Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Team since 2018. She applies trauma-informed practice in the delivery of culturally safe Indigenous primary health care.
Long before joining the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle, Germaine had already been a driving force for healthcare system change in the region. Since taking on the Executive Director role, Germaine has led a profound and lasting transformation in Indigenous primary care delivery through her leadership. With humility, vision, and a steadfast commitment to the philosophy of “Indigenous Health in Indigenous Hands”, Germaine has helped create a model of care that is deeply connected in spirit, culture, and community.
Germaine’s leadership began with the understanding that traditional, mainstream primary care models were not meeting the needs within our First Nations. Together with her Indigenous Health Circle co-chair, Brenda Jackson-baa, they helped lead a collaborative redesign of care. What emerged was a wholistic and inclusive model of Indigenous primary care grounded in cultural safety, equity, and respect. Leading system-level change with meaningful relationships and collaboration, Germaine translated community feedback and priorities into actionable initiatives in primary care and mental health in addiction. Recently, Germaine has transitioned out of her role as co-chair of the Indigenous Health Circle, ensuring space and support for new Indigenous co-chairs to step into leadership. This commitment to mentorship and succession reflects her dedication to collective strength and long-term sustainability in Indigenous health governance.
Under Germaine’s direction, Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin grew from a dedicated group of 20 into a thriving inter-professional team. Today, the team includes Traditional Healing, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, social workers, and a physician, and is further strengthened by front-line professionals in mental health, addictions, counselling, and wellness, midwifery, and community health and life promotion. Programming continues to grow to meet community priorities, through formal Letters of Relationship with area hospitals, Indigenous Patient Navigation service capacity-building, and the expansion of Indigenous Cultural Safety training that incorporates local context and experience. Most recently, Germaine’s leadership has supported the team in a HART Hub collaboration with the County of Simcoe and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous partner agencies to connect unhoused Indigenous individuals with primary care and culturally grounded peer support.
What sets Germaine apart is not only the strength of her leadership but the spirit with which she leads. Her calm and supportive presence guides the team, while her dedication to First Nation-led and First Nation-governed models ensures every innovation emerges through community input and collaboration.
Melissa Riley, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, was nominated by Kimberly Fisher, Certified First Nation Health Manager and Health Director at the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.
With 22 years of dedicated services in health care, Melissa has consistently demonstrated the qualities of compassion, professionalism, and resilience that defined a true hero in health.
Over the course of her career, Melissa has cared for countless clients and families, always bringing kindness, compassion, respect, confidentiality, and empathy into her practice. Her commitment goes far beyond providing excellent clinical care. She creates meaningful connections, ensures clients feel safe and supported, and uplifts those around her with her steady presence.
Melissa’s experience has made her a pillar within her team. She is a mentor and role model to colleagues, generously sharing her knowledge and encouraging others to grow. In times of challenge, she leads with calm strength and unwavering dedication ensuring the needs of her clients remain the highest priority.
What truly sets Melissa apart is her ability to blend skill with heart. She treats every patient with dignity and compassion, recognizing their unique needs and supporting them with patience and understanding. Her impact has not only improved individual lives but has also strengthened the overall spirit and resilience of our healthcare community.
Dr. Terrance (Terry) May, Nipissing First Nation, was nominated by Kristine Keon, member of Nipissing First Nation Medical Student, University of Toronto.
Dr. May is an emergency physician in Peterborough. Prior to working in Peterborough, he has previously worked as an emergency physician in many communities across Ontario, including across the Robinson Huron and Robinson Superior Treaties areas. Dr. May is a physician of remarkable integrity, cultural humility, and unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our First Nations through his work as an emergency physician. His work stands as a powerful testament to what is possible when healthcare is grounded in respect, relationship, and reconciliation.
Dr. May has consistently gone above and beyond to improve health outcomes for First Nations individuals and families. Whether providing direct clinical care, mentoring Indigenous medical learners, or advocating for equitable access to services, he brings compassion, clarity, and courage to every aspect of his work.
He has made a significant impact in building trust with communities that have historically been harmed by healthcare systems. This is reflected in his sincerity and long-standing commitment to decolonizing medicine.
One of Dr. May’s most meaningful contributions has been his mentorship of Indigenous medical students and residents. He has served not only as a role model but is also able to demonstrate what culturally safe, community- centered care can look like in practice. As a student, we are so thankful to have Dr. May as a mentor and to inspire the next generation of leaders in Indigenous health. In his personal life, Dr. May is also a resilient Anishinaabenini. Last August, he was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma–a rare and aggressive cancer that forms in the bile ducts. Amidst his own fight, he started his own fundraiser – Dr. May’s Vile Bile 5K. The event was not only to raise money for C3 but to increase awareness about cholangiocarcinoma and increase patient access to the molecular testing required to help fight this disease. The goal of the event was to raise $10,000 for cancer research and to aid in patient access. The Vile Bile 5K event raised $129,666.76. This commitment to helping others truly speaks to one of the many ways he makes an effort to live Mino Bimaadiziwin – a good life.
Nora Sawyer, Alderville First Nation, was nominated by Kathy McLeod-Beaver, Indigenous Patient Care Navigator, Lakeridge Health Regional Cancer Centre.
Biidaajimaa Kwe (She see’s and speaks the truth).
Known as GooGoo to many, Nora was the first female Chief of Alderville First Nation, in the late 1980s. She has spent her whole career and lifelong journey helping Anishinaabe people and has held many leadership and helping roles, which include serving as the Executive Director for the Anishinabek Nation, Director Ogemawahj Tribal Council, Health Director for Chippewas of Rama First Nation, and Health Manager in Alderville First Nation. Nora decided to return to community politics, where she has just recently retired from being a councillor in her community this past summer. She has and continues to sit on boards and committees, which some include Anishinabek Nation Kwe-Wuk Advisory Council, Ogemawahji Tribal Council Elder, and a long-standing member of the Anishinabek Nation Southeast Area Health Board.
Nora is a valued Elder supporting the Regional Cancer Program, Lakeridge Health, in developing a Strategic Framework and Indigenous Cultural Safety training for all Lakeridge Health Employees, as well as the New Lakeridge Health Bowmanville Indigenous Health Advisory Committee. Nora continues her helping role wherever she goes, and is a strong advocate in our inherit rights and traditional ways to better the Health and wholistic wellness of our children, youth, families, and Elders. She believes in taking care of our community members through food, sharing, and ceremonies and living and practices Mino-Bimaadiziwin, the good way of life!
Nora brings her spirit, stories, laughter, love, and speaks her truth to create positive change for all including those generations still yet to come.
Priscilla Goulais, Nipissing First Nation, has been nominated by the Anishinabek Nation Health Secretariat staff.
Priscilla has been an employee of the Anishinabek Nation after over 35 years of outstanding service with the organization (nearly 40 years if counting her first tour of duty), and currently serves as the Anishinabek Nation Health Communications Officer. Priscilla has recently announced her retirement, with this being her last Health Conference as an employee.
During her time with the organization, Priscilla has held a number of roles in various departments like education, communications, and social, but by far, her most important time has been spent with the Health Team.
Priscilla’s main role may be the Communications Officer, but she has also taken on several other roles over the past number of years. She coordinates the Mental Health Training Program funding, taking in requests for funding from our First Nations and working with those communities to implement training initiatives. In addition to community-based training, Priscilla has also organized regional mental health training sessions across the Anishinabek Nation Territory providing coordination for frontline workers in this area of important need.
While she may not always be the loudest person in the room, Priscilla carries a strong leadership trait with her. She is a proud member of Nipissing First Nation and is in a leadership role serving on her community’s Council.
A true team player with a heart of gold, Priscilla is always ready to help out her teammates in any capacity. She looks forward each year to being with everyone at the Health Conference and puts in countless hours preparing the communication aspects of the conference. One of the responsibilities Priscilla undertakes annually are these very Tony H. Jocko Memorial Heroes in Health Awards. Tony was a highly respected leader and member of the Health Department. Priscilla and Tony had a great relationship and it is extremely well deserved and fitting that Priscilla receives the Tony H. Jocko Memorial Heroes in Health Award as they both were so committed to helping Anishinabek citizens with their health.