Tonya-Leah is Odawa from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve (Ontario) and is a proud Anishinaabe kwe. She completed her undergrad in Biomedical Science and Indigenous Studies at Trent University in 2019 and is currently in her first year studying medicine at McMaster University (MD Candidate 2022). In her summers she has gained meaningful research experiences at the SickKids Research Institute, McMaster Children’sHospital, and most recently at Trent University. As an advocate for Indigenous people’s health, Tonya-Leah has shared her messages through public speaking, writing, policy, and performance. She is currently a Local officer of Indigenous Health and a mentor for the Indigenous Student’s Health Science office at McMaster University. Tonya-Leah’s passion for the arts and health science as well as the incredible support she has received from her family and community has inspired her to continue working with Indigenous communities to improve health outcomes, promote well-being, and empower fellow Indigenous youth to pursue their dreams.
Ben McNiven is a first-year medical student at the NRC. He is a proud member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia. He was born and raised in the Nicola Valley and is the oldest of three siblings to Sharon and Stephen McNiven. Ben graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia. After graduating, he worked for the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology as a Community Education Instructor. He worked in rural and northern parts of British Columbia to deliver education programs to Indigenous students. Ben’s current activities at McMaster include being a part of the Indigenous Health Interest Group, being a Local Officer of Indigenous Health (LOIH) for CFMS, and being a volunteer mentor for the ISHS office.