Yotakahron Jonathan

I’ve wanted to be a family doctor for as long as I can remember. However, growing up on-reserve, there were no doctors in my family or my community. When I met an Indigenous doctor for the first time, she took me under her wing and connected me to the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada. It was here that I heard of UBC’s Indigenous Family Medicine program from alumni. It sounded like an incredible program that would support me and train me to work within Indigenous communities.

UBC’s Indigenous Family Medicine program is the only program like it across Turtle Island. You’re trained within Indigenous communities, often with co-residents or preceptors that are Indigenous or strong allies, and you have additional academic days that are specifically Elder-led and rooted in culture. Being from the Mohawk Nation, I knew that I wanted to train within rural and remote Indigenous communities to prepare for my future practice. My plan has always been to help my people and I’m happy to be in a program that will help train me for this.

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many Indigenous communities throughout B.C. due to the nature of my program. This has allowed me to see many communities, all of which have been extremely welcoming and supportive. Other places in B.C. that I’d love to go to are Ahousat, Bella Coola and Bella Bella. Being able to see the variety of practices within different communities has allowed me to discover what kind of practice will be a good fit for me.