This National Indigenous Peoples Day, we’re spotlighting the physicians, learners, and policies reshaping how care is delivered to Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba, and the leaders working to advance cultural safety, inclusion, and belonging throughout the medical profession.

Dr. Mandy Buss, a National Leader in Indigenous Health: Dr. Buss, this year’s recipient of a Doctors Manitoba Medal of Excellence, has reshaped medical education and expanded access to culturally safe care across Canada. 

As Indigenous Health Lead at the Max Rady College of Medicine and former president of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, she has built anti-colonial curricula, brought elders and knowledge keepers into primary care, and transformed how the college supports Indigenous learners.

→ Watch Dr. Buss in conversation

Dr. Buss’s leadership and dedication were at the heart of the 2026 IPAC Annual Mentorship Gathering in Animikii-wiikwedong (Thunder Bay, Ontario), helping create space for Indigenous youth to explore careers in medicine and envision themselves as future physicians through this event sponsored in part by Doctors Manitoba.

Also this month, Dr. Buss served as a program leader for the Youth Mentorship Event in Winnipeg through a partnership involving Doctors Manitoba, IPAC, and Pimicikamak Cree Nation. 16 Indigenous youth, 8 community escorts and 7 Indigenous medical students from the University of Manitoba participated in: 

• Hands-on medical learning stations including suturing and casting.
• Peer mentorship between Indigenous medical students and Indigenous youth.
• Cultural grounding and ceremony led by Knowledge Keeper George Muskwaggon from Pimicikamak Cree Nation.
• Program leadership provided by Dr. Mandy Buss, supported by IPAC staff member Kayla Knelsen and Indigenous medical student volunteers.

Mandatory Anti-Indigenous Racism Training is Underway: The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) has mandated cultural safety and anti-Indigenous racism training for all physicians. 

Physicians have until October 31, 2027 to complete an approved course within the previous five years. Four pre-approved options exist, and your training can be fully covered through Doctors Manitoba CPD funding, with direct payment arranged for The Path.

→ See the training options and funding details

Our Advisory Circle: Doctors Manitoba has formed a new Anti-Indigenous Racism Advisory Circle, co-led by Dr. Catherine Cook and Past-President Dr. Nichelle Desilets. 

The circle brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous physicians and learners to guide our work, shaped by its own members. It follows an independent historical review that surfaced hard truths about the profession’s role in discrimination dating back to 1908.

This work includes difficult subject matter. Physician health and peer support are available at Doc360​.ca.

→ Read the full story in Rounds

Shared Health Takes a Major Step with New Anti-Racism Policies: Shared Health has released two comprehensive anti-racism policies. The policies apply to all Shared Health employees, staff, board members, volunteers, students and learners, and independent contractors, including physicians.

Together they set clear expectations for an inclusive, discrimination-free workplace, and support efforts to recognize and address the ongoing effects of colonialism and systemic racism in health care.

→ Explore Shared Health’s Disrupting Racism Policies & Resources collection

Looking for an event to participate in? Check out National Indigenous Peoples Day Events in Winnipeg (2026) compiled by Human Rights Hub and Manitoba Events compiled by the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation.