Dr. Catherine Cook

January 30, 2025

Dr. Catherine Cook (MD, MSc, CCFP, FCFP) is Métis from Matheson Island, Métis Nation of Manitoba. She had an illustrious career in medicine as one of the first Métis women in Canada to train as a physician and one of the first Indigenous physicians trained in Manitoba. Dr. Cook recently retired after a 35+ year career in medicine, fiercely advocating for Indigenous health throughout.

Dr. Cook’s most recent role was as inaugural Vice-president (Indigenous) at the University of Manitoba, where she oversaw the Indigenous Senior Leadership projects which brought systemic change to the university.  She began her career as a fly-in physician in northern communities which influenced her future work in anti-Indigenous racism in medical education. Dr. Cook co-founded Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing. Ongomiizwin is comprised of three main departments: Education, a place for Indigenous students studying in health professional programs to meet, study and explore careers and culture; Health Services, an inter-professional health service agency led by a team of Indigenous and non-indigenous health professionals across Manitoba; and Research, a collaboration that began in 2001 between the University of Manitoba, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Foundations for Health when they established the Centre for Aboriginal Health Research which evolved into the Manitoba First Nations Centre for Aboriginal Health Research before becoming Ongomiizwin – Research in 2017.

Dr. Cook is the first-ever National Indigenous Advisor for the Arthritis Society Canada in addition to joining NCIME’s inaugural Board of Directors as Secretary.