Photo courtesy of Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, taken inside Weeneebayko General Hospital.
“If we can train nurses and physicians in community, we remove the barrier of leaving home for education — and create a model for reconciliation in action.”
—Dr. Jamaica Cass, Director, Queen’s–Weeneebayko Health Education Partnership
The Queen's–Weeneebayko Health Education Partnership is transforming the way health education and services are delivered in the Western James Bay region, and beyond. Developed by the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA), Queen’s University Health Sciences, and the Mastercard Foundation, this initiative will deliver high-quality, culturally grounded, healthcare training at a new, state-of-the-art campus in Moosonee, Ontario.
Students from the Hudson and James Bay region — including from Moosonee, Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Moose Factory, Kashechewan and Peawanuck — will be recruited locally, trained in Moosonee and supported to stay serving their home communities. The curriculum will integrate Indigenous knowledge and approaches to healthcare and healing and biomedical science, improving educational and health outcomes in the years to come.
Program Director Dr. Jamaica Cass describes Indigenous-led health education as a key step towards reconciliation. She emphasizes the importance of building a stronger Indigenous health workforce through educational programs, utilizing Indigenous knowledge and teachings alongside western medicine, and ensuring Indigenous voices are leading health programs.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action 23 and 24 emphasize the importance of increasing the number of Indigenous health professionals and ensuring cultural competency in medical training. The Queen’s- Weeneebayko Health Education partnership responds to these calls by creating pathways for Indigenous youth to pursue healthcare careers without leaving home, strengthening both local capacity and community health and well-being.
Through initiatives like this, Indigenous-led health education moves reconciliation from promises to practice—ensuring that future healthcare systems reflect the values, experiences, and strengths of the communities they serve.
Why It Matters:
Indigenous-led health education creates lasting, culturally safe care grounded in community needs
Access to training in communities removes barriers for Indigenous youth, allowing them to learn and serve at home
Programs like this strengthen community well-being and advance reconciliation in meaningful, lasting ways
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About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation is a Canadian Foundation and one of the world's largest foundations, with a mission to advance education and financial inclusion. It works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. The Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. The Foundation is an independent organization and separate from the company. Its policies, operations and programs are determined by the Foundation's Board of Directors and leadership. For more information please visit mastercardfdn.org.
