Developing Leaders Award Recipient: Tannis Blacksmith

The NCIME is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2023 Developing Leaders Award is Tannis Blacksmith, a 2nd year medical student, University of Manitoba for their project “Northern Admissions Equity”

This award is offered by the National Consortium for Indigenous Medical Education (NCIME) to support Indigenous learners in medicine design and implement innovative project ideas to address one of the six priority areas set by NCIME. Tannis will receive mentorship from the NCIME Leadership and $10,000 to implement their project.   

Meet Tannis: 

Tannis Blacksmith is from Opaskwayak Cree Nation. She is a mother of three with a passion for both Education and Health. In her experience within the Education system, she has seen too many brilliant northern students who have the dream of attending medical school but lack the support and knowledge to pursue it. It is her goal is to be part of the process of increasing Indigenous Physicians entering Medical School in Manitoba. She firmly believes that to make change within the health system we need to increase the presence of Indigenous peoples. She plans to do so by completing her medical training and then being part of implementing change so that Health Education and its delivery becomes more holistic and in line with Indigenous ways of knowing and being.