Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program Strategic Lead Namp

**Department** Northern Alberta Medical Education Training Program

**Salary range** $76,135 to $104,709

**Posted date** February 21, 2025

**Closing date** March 20, 2025

**Position Type** Full Time - Trust Funded

**Description**:
**_This position is part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA)._**

In accordance with the Trust/Research Academic Staff Agreement, this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary range of $76,135 to $104,709. This position has an end date of June 30, 2027.

**Location** - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at University of Alberta's Northern Alberta Medical Program in Grande Prairie on Treaty 8 territory.

**Working at the University of Alberta**
- The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community._

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

**Working for the Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program**

The Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program was founded in 1988 by the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD) at the University of Alberta to encourage a greater number of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis students gain access to, and graduate from, all Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry programs. Since the Program's inception, the Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program (WIHP) has been a leader in the recruitment and retention of Indigenous students, representing Abenaki, Blackfoot, Cree, Dene, Delaware, Inuit, Iroquois, Metis, Mi'kmaq, Mohawk, the Ojibwe communities in Health Sciences in Canada.

In order to increase the number of physicians trained in Alberta, particularly in the rural areas, the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD), University of Alberta is partnering with Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP), based in Grande Prairie to develop the Northern Alberta Medical Program, which is a regional distributed campus for the U of A Medical School.

The Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP), offers learners the opportunity to gain hands-on clinical experience across diverse northern Alberta communities, emphasizing rural and regional healthcare.

**Position Summary**

Reporting to the Executive Director, WIHP, this position leads the day-to-day operations of the Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program (WIHP) within the Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP) in Grande Prairie, and assists with implementing and evaluating its strategic plan. The position works closely with WIHP and NAMP stakeholders and staff, including the Regional Academic Lead NAMP, and Northwestern Polytechnic Dean of Students, Education Coordinator(s), the Community Engagement & Recruitment Coordinator, Clinician Lead(s), Elders and Knowledge Keepers, administrators, and other key partners to help advance WIHP’s strategic goals. The role primarily focuses on advancing Indigenous student success, fostering community engagement, and integrating Indigenous perspectives within healthcare education and practice. This position recruits and retains Indigenous medical students and supports and strengthens the development of intentional and meaningful partnerships with First Nation and Métis communities, clinical faculty, and clinical sites for Indigenous medical education opportunities. It also includes opportunities for collaboration with Northern Western Polytechnic (NWP). NWP may be engaged to support specific initiatives, particularly where shared resources and expertise can enhance program outcomes.

The position ensures collaboration across teams to foster culturally safe learning environments, build meaningful community connections, and promote the representation and leadership of Indigenous Peoples in healthcare. By working across diverse stakeholder groups, the role seeks to achieve meaningful and responsive outcomes aligned with WIHP’s strategic plan.

This role will uphold the principles outlined in the University of Alberta Memoranda of Relational Understanding (MoRU) with Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta and Métis Nation of Alberta, ensuring all actions and initiatives respect the collaborative framework established. The position will emphasize the reciprocal relationships needed to advance the shared goals of increasing Indigenous representation in healthcare professions and integrating traditional knowledge into healt