IFIC Canada Virtual Community Session

Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being: Foundations for Integrated Care and Population Health

When

10/06/2025

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm TORONTO

10:00 pm - 11:30 pm MADRID

8:00 am - 9:30 am AUCKLAND (11/06/2025)

Presented by

Session Overview

Around the world, health and social systems are recognizing the urgent need to move beyond fragmented, institutional approaches toward models of care that are rooted in relationships, community, and connection to land and spirit. Indigenous ways of knowing and being offer time-honored, deeply relational knowledge systems that are essential to this transformation.

This session explored how Indigenous worldviews, values, and practices are not only relevant—but foundational—to advancing integrated care and improving population health. We engaged in a generative discussion that brought together diverse voices to reflect on:

How Indigenous ways of knowing challenge and enrich dominant paradigms of care
Practical examples of "Two-Eyed Seeing" - integrating Indigenous and Western approaches to healthcare
Real-world governance transformations using Indigenous decision-making principles
Moving from fragmented mental/physical health models to holistic, whole-person care
What it means to create ethical space for co-leadership, truth-telling, and reciprocity
How we move from performative inclusion to true partnership, sovereignty, and systems change

Why This Matters

In this era of reimagining care, Indigenous knowledge systems provide a vital compass for building health and social systems that are whole, human, and healing. These teachings—rooted in interconnectedness, balance, and respect—offer a path forward not only for Indigenous Peoples, but for all of us seeking a more integrated and life-affirming approach to well-being.

This powerful conversation honored Indigenous leadership and explored how these ways of knowing have guided the transformation of care across Canada and around the world, featuring real examples of governance innovation, system redesign, and the courage required to move from good intentions to meaningful action.

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Speakers

Amarjit Maxwell - Chief Executive Officer - THINK Hauora

A qualified management account with additional qualification in business and economic development, Amarjit is currently undertaking a PhD at Victoria University, focusing on strengthening collective impact as an enabler for delivering Pae Ora Healthy Futures to address inequities in Aotearoa New Zealand

Kat Peterson - Connecting Communities Manager - THINK Hauora

A values-driven business management professional with a track record in change and relationship management. Guided by deep and meaningful connections to Te Ao Māori values such as manaakitanga (hospitality), whanaungatanga (family and connection), a Rongoā Māori (holistic wellbeing) practitioner that willingly shares her mātauranga (knowledge) and holds a strong commitment in upholding Te Tiritio Waitangi.

Paul Heinrich - President and CEO - Northbay Regional Centre

Paul Heinrich has been proudly serving the North Bay Regional Health Centre as President and Chief Executive Officer since 2012. Prior to this, he was President and CEO at Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland and Penetanguishene. He spent 10 years as Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine while also serving as Advisor to the Chief Clinical Officer of the Calgary Health Region. He currently serves on the ONE Health Information Technology Services (ONE HITS) board. He has been a professor in the Healthcare Administration Program at Canadore College since 2017.

Jennifer Lawrance - Implementation Lead - Noojawing Sookatagaing Ontario Health Team

A passionate and kind leader, committed to health system transformation. Over the last twenty-five years she has had the opportunity to work across sectors of the health system and is invested in creating a more connected system where people and providers experience collaborative care and communities are healthier

About IFIC Canada

IFIC Canada, part of the International Foundation for Integrated Care and housed within the North American Centre for Integrated Care, is dedicated to advancing integrated care through community-building, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration.

We foster a vibrant community where diverse perspectives come together to shape people-centered, co-designed care across North America. Our quarterly Virtual Community sessions bring together leaders, practitioners, policymakers, researcher, and knowledge keepers to explore the most pressing themes shaping the future of integrated care.