The Indigenous Medical Education Gathering (IMEG) took place this year on the ancestral, unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Peoples—guided by Indigenous knowledge, story, and presence.
The Indigenous Medical Education Gathering (IMEG) is an event that brings together Indigenous health professionals, students, and allies in the spirit of learning, healing, and community. Participants included Indigenous UBC Faculty of Medicine students and alumni from medicine, midwifery, and occupational therapy, non-Indigenous students, residents, and preceptors from the Indigenous Family Medicine program, and Indigenous UBC physiotherapy, audiology, and genetic counseling students. Organized by a collaborative planning committee and guided by Elders, IMEG offers Indigenous medical professionals, students and non-Indigenous allies space to reflect, share and support each other in medical education and the healthcare system.
Each person who walked through the doors of the Bill Reid Gallery for Friday’s opening reception carried with them a unique story—of resilience, of learning, of commitment to medicine and to their communities. The reception was a time to connect and reconnect, creating space for meaningful conversations and shared reflections. Though some were meeting for the first time, for many there was an immediate sense of kinship, of shared purpose.
“A lot of trauma happens between people, and so healing needs to happen there too—in relationship, in community. That’s what makes gatherings like this so important. We need communities of safety, of resistance, and of healing—places where we can work through harm together and move forward.”
The event was emceed by Dr. Terri Aldred, who guided the weekend with warmth and intention. The gathering was opened in a good way by Elders, grounding the space in tradition, ceremony, and community.
James Andrew, Associate Director of Indigenous Initiatives at UBC’s Faculty of Medicine opened the event by sharing the history of IMEG and offering gratitude to Dr. Dermot Kelleher, who will be retiring this year, recognizing his contributions to Indigenous medical education and mentorship.
This year, we also welcomed an Artisan Vendor Market, bringing together local makers into the space, further enriching the gathering with Indigenous creativity and craftsmanship.
We had the privilege of being on Musqueam land for the weekend, where we deepened our connection to the land, each other, and the teachings shared with us. On the grasslands along the Fraser River lies c̓əsnaʔəm, a living Musqueam village that has existed for thousands of years. Referred to as “the city before the city,” c̓əsnaʔəm holds deep meaning for the Musqueam people—not only as a site of ancestral connection, but as an enduring home.
At the site of this village, at the Musqueam Cultural Centre, the day began with smaller sharing circles guided by Elders, creating an intimate space for reflection and grounding. Keynote speaker Dr. Michael Yellow Bird—a professor at the University of Manitoba and a member of the MHA Nation (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara)—spoke about mindfulness and neurodecolonization. He described healing through meditation, movement, and diet not merely as wellness strategies, but as acts of cultural reclamation. Dr. Yellow Bird highlighted the unique role of Indigenous healthcare providers as cultural translators: “These gatherings bring together people who walk in two worlds—the world of their ancestors and the world of Western medicine. Their presence, experience, and journey are part of what brings healing.”
Following the keynote, we had concurrent sessions where some participants joined a salve-making workshop with Kymberlee Stogan, where they created their own salves and explored a holistic approach to supporting wellbeing. Meanwhile, others continued to learn from Dr. Yellow Bird in a session designed to integrate and gain knowledge of scientific methods and practices on neurodecolonization.
Sunday began with blessings and opening prayers from Elders Thelma, Roberta, Jean, Cheryl, and Bryce, welcoming participants into a circle of reflection and support. The morning offered time for personal and collective healing, with space held by Cultural Support Workers Gertie Pierre from the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. Participants were invited to reflect on stories, teachings, and the relationships formed throughout the weekend. The Elders guided an open session for sharing and discussion, creating a space where knowledge, perspectives, and lived experiences could be shared.
A coffee break mid-morning encouraged informal conversation and connection, while the gathering closed with acknowledgements from Dr. Terri Aldred, followed by final words from the Elders and IMEG Committee.
“IMEG is an opportunity for Indigenous medical learners and practising professionals from across BC to come together, in-person, for three days of connection. For many participants, these connections are a vital source of care and support, which in turn contributes to healthier communities.”
IMEG is made possible through collaborative funding partners, including the BC Indigenous Physicians Network, an initiative of the Rural Coordination Centre of BC, UBC Faculty of Medicine and Alumni Engagement, UBC Faculty of Medicine, UBC Family Practice Residency Site, UBC Midwifery Program, UBC Department of Physical Therapy, UBC Department of Occupational Therapy, First Nations Health Authority, and Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada. Their contributions have ensured that these conversations continue to unfold in a setting rooted in respect, cultural belonging, and shared understanding.
