February 24th, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccine: A Key Tool in Our Fight Against the Pandemic with Dr. Nel Wieman & Dr. Terri Aldred

Dr. Nel Wieman

Nel is Canada’s first female Indigenous psychiatrist (Anishnawbe – Little Grand Rapids First Nation, Manitoba).  She completed her medical degree and psychiatry specialty training at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

She has over 20+ years of clinical experience, working with Indigenous people in both rural/on-reserve and urban settings.  Her previous research activities include co-directing an Indigenous health research program in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto and the National Network for Indigenous Mental Health Research, being the Deputy Chair of Health Canada’s Research Ethics Board and serving on CIHR’s Governing Council.  She has also worked and taught in many academic settings, has chaired national advisory groups within FNIHB-Health Canada and has served on many boards and committees, including the Indspire Foundation’s Board of Directors.  She is an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University and an Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster University.

She was recently re-elected to a second 3-year term as President of the Indigenous Physicians Association in Canada (IPAC).

Nel’s clinical, academic and advocacy work has always been focused on improving the health and mental health status of Indigenous peoples, especially Indigenous youth, across Canada.

Dr. Terri Aldred

Terri Aldred from the Tl’Azt’En territory located north of Fort St. James. She is Lysiloo (Frog) Clan who are traditionally known as the voice of the people. She follows her mother’s and Great-Grandmother’s line Cecilia Pierre (Prince). Terri grew up in both the inner city of Prince George and on the Tachet reserve (in Lake Babine Territory) and these experiences helped motivate her to go to medical school so she could give back to her community. Terri has a Bachelor of Health Science Degree and a Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Alberta. She then went on to complete the Indigenous Family Medicine residency program through the University of British Columbia. At present, Terri is the Site Director for the Indigenous Family Medicine Program, Family Physician for the Carrier Sekani Family Services Primary Care team that serve12 communities in north-central BC, the Medical Director for Primary Care for FNHA, and the Indigenous Lead for the RCcBC. Sna Chaylia.