Health Transformation Working Group member spotlight: Deborah Laramey
By Jesse Johnson
BEAUSOLEIL FIRST NATION – Deborah Laramey serves as the Health Director for Beausoleil First Nation and brings many years of experience, commitment, and vision to her role within the Anishinabek Nation Health Transformation Working Group. She has been an active member of the Working Group for four years.
What Deborah values most about the Working Group is the possibilities it represents—the potential to create meaningful, lasting change for Indigenous health systems. Looking ahead, she hopes to see the group establish a clear path and shared vision, supported by practical, step-by-step actions that lead to completion and real-world impact.
The Health Transformation Working Group meetings reflect the Anishinabek Nation’s commitment to health sovereignty, community-driven priorities, and collaborative leadership. With traditional knowledge and structured planning at the forefront, the Health Transformation Working Group continues to chart an actionable course toward improved health outcomes for Anishinabek Nation members.
For Deborah, Health Transformation means Indigenous health in Indigenous hands. She speaks candidly about the need for change, emphasizing dissatisfaction with systems led by non-Indigenous decision-makers who lack a full understanding of Indigenous community needs. She advocates for health systems that recognize Indigenous expertise and empower communities to design and deliver their own solutions.
The Anishinabek Nation Health System will be First Nation-designed, delivered, and administered. The First Nations Engagement Sessions are being conducted throughout the Anishinabek Nation territory to bring Anishinabek First Nations together to discuss a comprehensive system change based on social determinants of health.
Deborah is deeply motivated by working alongside community members and strong teams who share a common vision: equitable access to health services and the successful completion of goals that are both community-driven and community-requested. As a Health Director, her desired legacy is one rooted in collaboration and tangible progress toward better health outcomes.
Over the next five to 10 years, Deborah hopes to see Indigenous health systems evolve toward true autonomy where Indigenous peoples have the authority, resources, and capacity to care for their own communities in ways that are culturally appropriate, responsive, and sustainable.
Outside of her professional role, Deborah is passionate about mental health and addiction support. She facilitates a culturally-based eight-week wellness and recovery program, reflecting her commitment to healing approaches grounded in Indigenous culture, knowledge, and lived experience.
For more information on Health Transformation, visit www.health-transformation.ca.