For Students:

Elder in Residence:

The program creates an opportunity for students to learn from local community Elders as they share their experiences, knowledge and wisdom.  It also provides students’ access to Elders who are actively engaged in their communities and culture. The Elders are available to answer questions, offer support and too listen.  Students have access to the Elders by drop-in or appointment.

Click here to go to the Elders-in-Residence page for full biographies and photos of our Elders as well as links to their podcasts.

Aboriginal Mentor Program:

The Aboriginal Mentorship Program is one tool used to help overcome barriers to post secondary education for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students within Medicine.   The Mentor assists the ASHS office and students in numerous ways, such as:

• Guidance on the Aboriginal application process
• Best practices for successful Medical Foundations completion
• Guidance on the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) process
• Guidance on effective clerkship practices
• Knowledge sharing on the Aboriginal medical student experience
• Providing a culturally safe environment for current student and incoming student queries
• Knowledge sharing with the ASHS team and colleagues

Academic and Career:

Assist students with understanding admission requirements, meeting and maintain those requirements and the application process.  Provide information on scholarships and bursaries.  Provide referrals to general student services at McMaster.  Work with students on academic planning and career goals.  Provide linkages to professional and para-professional health networks.  Knowledge share on upcoming professional development opportunities and assist with working with mentor and tutors.

Recruitment and Retention:

A dedicated staff person is available to help with bursaries and scholarships; navigate life at McMaster, or connect students with surrounding Aboriginal communities and organizations.

ASHS Alumni Circle:

Receive updates on events/speakers/funding opportunities; stay linked with your graduating class; establish and expand professional networks, have an opportunity to mentor current and incoming students; and ha a forum for topical discussions

ASHS Student Space:

At the ASHS student space you will find a culturally safe space for first Nations, Inuit and Métis students on campus.  Students can access the resource library (Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholarship; study; use the workstations with diverse software applications; access the internet from the provided computers or link in to the wireless on your laptop or use the media station to view documentaries.  Students can also relax and take a nutrition break; host a meeting or study group or socialize with colleagues.

Services for Staff, Faculty and Community:

Ability to access to the Aboriginal Mentor for knowledge sharing on the Aboriginal MD experience; be a recruitment resource for community based programs; and, provides insight to staff and faculty on the educational process from an insider perspective.

Elders in Residence are available for knowledge sharing and may participate in health science classes as a quest speaker. (Elders not available for research or research related activities).

Recruitment and Retention:

A dedicated staff person is available to meet with your program or community for promotion of health sciences at McMaster and able to discuss with you retention from an Aboriginal learner perspective.

Liaison:

The ASHS office is also able to act as a liaison for members of the McMaster community seeking connection to varied Aboriginal health organizations, communities, professionals, and knowledge holders.  Conversely, ASHS is able to provide linkages with the academic community to Aboriginal organizations, communities and so forth.

Program and Faculty Support

• Lectures on Aboriginal Peoples health: populations, community, traditional, policy, practice and research. And, provide recommendations to speakers and other faculty on topics outside ASHS's scope of work.
• Cultural safety and competency lectures, training, workshops
• Addressing barriers to access in program policies and procedures (i.e. admissions)
• Knowledge share on issues such as Aboriginal health curriculum within health sciences and provide relevant Aboriginal health resources.
• Education and awareness on Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, in general and health priorities specifically.