Our Team

Konwahahawi (Sarah) Rourke, Ed.D

Chief Executive Officer | info@ncime.ca

Dr. Rourke is a proud Kanienkehá:ka woman from the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. She belongs to the Deer Clan and is from the Herne and Laffin families. She is the wife of Atohnwa and the mother of Teieweratenies. Konwahahawi walks a path grounded in responsibility to future generations.

Konwahahawi has dedicated her life to dismantling systemic violence and advancing Indigenous self-determination through grassroots organizing, cultural revitalization, curriculum development, and harm reduction. She played an active role in supporting families and survivors during the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2-Spirit People (MMIWG2S), advocating for justice and community-led healing.

As former Manager of the Native North American Travelling College, she focused on revitalizing Kanienkehá:ka culture and language while dispelling harmful stereotypes of Onkwehonwe peoples. In 2013–2014, she represented the Native Youth Sexual Health Network at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, presenting on sexual health, environmental violence, and policing injustice.

Konwahahawi has mentored Indigenous youth through the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus and continues to champion 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion and safe, culturally grounded spaces. Her work in decolonizing sex education and advancing harm reduction is deeply rooted in community knowledge and collective healing.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Sociology from Wells College (2003), a master’s in educational leadership from St. Lawrence University (2017), and a Doctorate in Executive Leadership and Social Justice from St. John Fisher University (2021). Her doctoral research centered on Akwesasne Aunties, their leadership roles, and the decolonial path to healing.

Previously, she held multiple roles at McGill University, including Director of the Indigenous Health Professions Program, Faculty Lecturer in Family Medicine, and Indigenous Health Curriculum Content Expert. Her contributions helped shape Indigenous health education within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Konwahahawi now serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education (NCIME), where she leads national efforts across Turtle Island to transform medical education through an Indigenous lens. Her leadership is rooted in the lived experiences and priorities of Indigenous communities and is continually guided by the teachings of her community, the strength of Auntie networks, and the intergenerational wisdom of Tota knowledge. Grounded in these ancestral teachings, Konwahahawi works to build anti-racist, culturally safe, and community-driven approaches to Indigenous health education and wellness.

Danielle N. Soucy, PhD

Executive Director – Academic | info@ncime.ca

Dr. Soucy comes to the NCIME with extensive experience working at the national level and frontlines of medical education. For 11.5 years, she served as the Director for the Indigenous Students Health Sciences office (ISHS), Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. Before this, she was a Senior Policy Analyst and Research Officer for the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO). Her ability to work collaboratively with Indigenous governance within the university, along with community consultations and partnerships led to an international Best Practice recognition for her office. Her leadership has been one of innovation, she developed new programs and services that targeted inclusion of Indigenous priorities throughout the faculty’s programs. She has a proven track record and solid reputation as someone passionate, committed, and of the highest integrity in her work ethic and relationships. This accounts for her success in partnership development, student best practices, and working with government and regulatory bodies and networks in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. As a Settler ally, her goal is to transform our institutions of higher learning towards safe, equitable, diverse and inclusive supportive spaces for Indigenous persons within medical education as led and determined by them while honouring the many community teachers, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. She has a Ph.D. from the Department of Health, Aging and Society, Faculty of Social Sciences, at McMaster University, Hamilton, ON. Her research focuses on non-Indigenous medical educators’ competency to teach Indigenous health in undergraduate medicine. For Danielle, the role of the Executive Director – Academic represents the ability to contribute to systemic institutional change responsive to the goals of the NCIME, its governing council and partners. She is excited for the opportunity to work with the elite Indigenous leaders in medical education, mentoring of future leaders and the academic space in which Indigenous medical students, residents and faculty thrive.

Afolabi Adegbayo, CPA CGA

Finance & HR Coordinator | info@ncime.ca

Afolabi Adegbayo is a seasoned accounting professional and a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA-UK) and Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Alberta. He is also a proud alumnus of AIESEC.

With a diverse background spanning multiple industries, Afolabi possesses expertise in audit, accounting, finance, and investment management. His extensive experience has equipped him with a unique understanding of the complexities of various sectors and the financial reporting aspects.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Afolabi is an avid learner and enjoys reading, playing chess, and programming. He is also a passionate soccer fan, showcasing his enthusiasm for the beautiful game.

Professional Affiliations

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Alberta
AIESEC Alumni

Sara Natsiq Ayaruak-Thomson, PMP

Associate Project Manager | info@ncime.ca

Sara Natsiq Ayaruak-Thomson is Inuk, born in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut to the Ayaruak family and adopted/raised in the traditional territory of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation by the Thomson family. They now reside on the traditional territory of the T’Souke and Sci’anew Nations, now known as Sooke, BC on Vancouver Island.

Sara holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in French and German, having graduated on the Dean’s List. They are relatively new to Indigenous healthcare and medical education but have a background working on large, multi-stakeholder projects within non-profit organizations. Sara most recently held the role of Membership & Mentorship Manager at the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC).

Sara is excited to join the NCIME team and is looking forward to bringing their knowledge and insight gained from hearing the real-life experiences of IPAC medical learners and physicians in order to effect change at systemic levels.

They believe this change will create a more equitable future filled with Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, a higher representation of Indigenous physicians and anti-racist medical education which will help create a culturally safe healthcare system for all Indigenous people.

Ariel John

Administrative Assistant | info@ncime.ca

Ariel John is Inuvialuk and Nehiyaw, born in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Their mother is from Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories and their father is from Onion Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan. Ariel spent most of their life in Treaty 6 Territory where they continue to live.

Ariel holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education from the University of Alberta with a major in Biology and a minor in Cree as a Second Language. They have a wide range of work experience including 14 years served in the military as a medic, teaching junior high and high school in indigenous communities, and a summer spent with the Coast Guard in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Ariel also held the position of Administrative and Communications Manager at the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada.

Shaun Makoni

IT & Database Manager | info@ncime.ca

Over the past decade, Shaun Makoni has built a distinguished career in IT and cybersecurity, combining advanced education, technical expertise, and hands-on experience across diverse industries. His journey began with a B.S. Honors in Information Technology, where he laid the foundation for his future endeavors. Eager to deepen his knowledge, he pursued an M.S. in Computer Science, providing a strong academic foundation for his technical pursuits.

Shaun specializes in cybersecurity, cloud computing, enterprise systems and IT infrastructure management, with certifications from various organizations including Microsoft, which he has done to further solidifying his expertise in the IT industry.

Throughout his career, Shaun has held roles that required a blend of technical acumen and strategic thinking. He has successfully led IT audits, implemented robust cybersecurity systems & frameworks, managed cloud migrations and complex IT infrastructure.

With a focus on cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and IT infrastructure, Shaun has established himself as a versatile professional capable of addressing complex technical challenges while aligning IT strategies with business objectives. His career reflects a commitment to excellence, innovation, and the continuous advancement of technology.

With a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, Shaun continues to drive IT transformation, ensuring secure, efficient, and scalable solutions for this organization.

Alexandra Nychuk PhD(c)

Research & Evaluation Assistant | info@ncime.ca

Alexandra Nychuk is a Michif woman from Treaty One Territory and a citizen of the Manitoba Métis Nation. She currently resides as an uninvited guest in what is now referred to as Hamilton, on the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish with one Spoon” wampum agreement. She holds a Bachelor of Science Majoring in Athletic Training from Minot State University where she competed in collegiate level women’s hockey. After graduating, she went on to pass her Board of Certification Exam, becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer in 2015. Recently she completed her Master’s in Development Practice in Indigenous Development from the University of Winnipeg and is currently pursuing a PhD in Health and Society from McMaster University.

Alexandra strives to live by the values of being a good relative, through the centring of community voices and uplifting Indigenous understandings of health in her research. Alexandra has received many awards based on her scholarship including the Canadian Institute of Health Research Fredrick Banting and Charles Best CGSM Award, Research Manitoba Master’s Studentship Award, Prairie Indigenous Knowledge Exchange Network Award, Harvey E. Longboat Scholarship, and most recently the Weweni Future Scholar’s Award.

She has experience working with the Manitoba Métis Federation, First Nations Social Secretariat and Health of Manitoba, Métis National Council and Kishaadigeh Collaborative Research Centre. Alexandra is ecstatic to be provided with the opportunity to make valuable contributions on the national stage with the NCIME while following her passion for improving Indigenous health.

Arlana Redsky (Bennett), PhD

Indigenous Research Methods, Research Assistant | info@ncime.ca

Dr. Redsky (Bennett) is an Anishinaabekwe member of the Shoal Lake 40 First Nation in Northwestern Ontario, born in Tk’emlúps unceded Secwepemc territory and currently resides in Treaty 7, the traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy. Arlana holds a BA in English, a BA (Hons) in Sociology, and an M.Sc. in Risk and Community Resilience from the Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology in the Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Alberta. Dr. Redsky completed her Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta. She is a member of the Indigenous Science and Technology and Society Studies research and teaching group (I-STS) and a former faculty member of the Summer Internship for Indigenous Peoples in Genomics (SING Canada). Arlana has worked as a Jr. policy analyst with Indigenous organizations such as the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations Health. She has held several research positions with Alberta Environment and Parks, Indigenous STS, and Genome Alberta and has assisted in Indigenous course and program development. Arlana has spent considerable time volunteering within the University and Alberta community for organizations such as the Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, and Technology (WISEST) program and the Tracking Change Indigenous youth fair. She has organized several international conferences, including the International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC). Her current research specialization includes decolonial and Indigenous research methods, qualitative and quantitative analyses, and relational/Kincentric frameworks.

Evan Adams, MD, MPH

Assessment Lead | info@ncime.ca

Evan Tlesla Adams is a Coast Salish physician & actor from Tla’amin First Nation near Powell River, BC, Canada. Dr. Adams is perhaps best known for his role as Thomas Builds-The-Fire in the Miramax film SMOKE SIGNALS. He completed his Medical Doctorate at the University of Calgary & a residency in the Aboriginal Family Practice program at UBC in Vancouver. Dr. Adams has a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the Deputy Provincial Health Officer for BC (2012 to 2014), the Chief Medical Officer of the First Nations Health Authority (2014 to 2020), and then the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of First Nations & Inuit Health Branch, Indigenous Services Canada (2020 to 2023). He was a recent Harkness Fellow 2024 to 2025 at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu, HI, and is currently the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Public Health (part-time) at the First Nations Health Authority in addition to being the Assessment Lead for the National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education (NCIME) in Canada. On a personal note, Evan is married to Allan, and they have six children.