This episode opens up a medical conversation about MAiD and about Indigenous perceptions and feelings about MAiD through the lens of intergenerational trauma and medical racism. Sometimes it is understood as a loving, beautiful humane process, and other times viewed through the experiences of colonial systems around death. Dr. Cornelia (Nel) Wieman, Chief Medical Officer at the First Nations Health Authority, (FNHA), talks with Dani and Marion about her experiences and learnings growing up an Anishinaabe person in Ontario, becoming Canada’s first female Indigenous psychiatrist, and now CMO of the FNHA. And a meaningful sharing about the gift of dignity and control at the end of one’s life. Thanks for listening. Please take care of yourselves and if you need to, make use of the resources listed on our podcast main page.
ABOUT DR. WEIMAN:
Dr. Wieman is Chief Medical Officer of the First Nations Health Authority, as well as Adjunct Professor and Co-Chair of the Indigenous Strategy Committee at the UBC Department of Psychiatry. She is Anishinaabe from Little Grand Rapids First Nation, Manitoba, and lives, works, and plays on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples – the səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. She completed her medical degree and psychiatry specialty training at McMaster University. Canada’s first female Indigenous psychiatrist, Dr. Wieman has more than 20 years’ clinical experience working with Indigenous people in both rural/reserve and urban settings. Dr. Wieman also served as the elected President of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada from 2016 to 2022. She was one of the 6 Indigenous physician founders of the National Consortium on Indigenous Medical Education (NCIME). She was appointed to the BC Provincial Task Team charged with beginning implementation of the “In Plain Sight” report. Recommendations. Dr. Wieman served as Co-Chair of a provincial First Nations Technical Committee that created the British Columbia Cultural Safety & Humility Standard, directed at anti-Indigenous racism across all health and social services in the province. Dr. Wieman was also presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024.
Episode-Relevant Links:
*****CONTENT WARNING*****
Each episode of this podcast touches on subjects related to trauma, misogyny, racism, medical racism, sexual misconduct, Residential Schools, as well as many aspects of death and dying. Self-care is our priority, and we ask that you please take care as you listen, step away for a break when you need to, and use the resources below for support.
Mental Health Support Resources:
First Nations Health Authority (BC), Toll-free: 1-866-913-0033,
info@fnha.ca
MAiD Resources:
Grief & Loss Support Resources:
Residential School Support Resources:
What is Before I Go?
ABOUT BEFORE I GO…Embracing the Journey of MAiD:
“Death is not an ending but a change of worlds.” Indigenous nations have a long history with ceremony and tradition around death. A member of the Gitxaala Nation in BC, Marion Brown has Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). PH is a chronic progressive condition that will, as with other members of her family, eventually take her life. And so, Marion has made the decision to use the MAiD program when she feels the time is appropriate. An experienced documentary producer and interviewer in her own right, Marion will turn the microphone around on herself. Along with family and many professional experts, she and her daughter Danielle will share this extraordinary journey with you.
By openly discussing the experience of choosing medical assisted dying through an Indigenous lens, along with wisdom and stories – about family & ancestors, history & trauma, healing & love – Marion and Dani hope that their journey will provide unique and thoughtful perspectives, encourage your own conversations with those close to you, and perhaps provide some comfort. After all, living & dying are the human experiences we all share. Join us bi-weekly for some of the most profound and thought-provoking conversations of a lifetime.
*****CONTENT WARNING*****
Each episode of this podcast touches on subjects related to trauma, misogyny, racism, medical racism, sexual misconduct, Residential Schools, as well as many aspects of death and dying. Self-care is our priority, and we ask that you please take care as you listen, step away for a break when you need to, and use the resources below for support.
*****RESOURCES*****
Mental Health Support Resources:
https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ , 24/7 telephone: 1-855-242-3310, Online chat
NIHB Mental Health Services regional office
First Nations Health Authority (BC), Toll-free: 1-866-913-0033, info@fnha.ca
MAiD Resources:
https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/healthy-living/end-of-life-journey/medical-assistance-in-dying
Centre for Education and Research on Aging
https://nctr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/When-the-Time-Comes-Final-Edit-and-Format3510-march-24.pdf
https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/blog/reclaiming-cultural-teachings-about-mortality-grief-loss-death-and-dying/
https://endoflifedoulaassociation.org/doula-list-maid/
https://camapcanada.ca/
https://abo-peoples.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CAP-2024-FinalReport-PEOLC-MAID_WEB_EN-.pdf
Grief & Loss Support Resources:
https://www.beendigen.com/programs/talk4healing/
https://www.hospicenorthwest.ca/services/outreach-program/
https://lumarasociety.org/indigenouswellness/ , 1-866-9LUMARA, info@lumarasociety.org
https://livingmyculture.ca/
Indigenous Books on Grief and Loss:https://www.strongnations.com/store/item_list.php?it=1&cat=3027
Residential School Support Resources:
https://www.irsss.ca/ , 1-800-721-0066 for Survivors and Their Families
https://nctr.ca/contact/survivors/ , The National Residential School Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419