Dr. Brent Young: Advancing Indigenous health

The Canadian Medical Association reports that fewer than one per cent of physicians in Canada are Indigenous, even though Indigenous Peoples make up about five per cent of Canada’s population.

This statistic aligns with Dr. Brent Young’s experience as a medical student between 2015 and 2019, and he says this inequity is driven by over 150 years of colonial policies that have systematically excluded Indigenous people from the medical profession.

“I was one of two Indigenous students across four years of study,” says the Anishinaabe family doctor and member of Sandy Bay First Nation. “When you think about the hundreds of medical students who would have been enrolled at the time, that is a vast underrepresentation compared to the population.”

This lack of representation can present a number of consequences at the individual and community level, including diminished social and economic capital. It can also impact access to high-quality care.

“When we think about patient care, it’s a world of difference when a physician can share at least some personal understanding of the patient’s lived experience,” he says.

During his tenure as academic director for Indigenous Health in Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine from 2021-26, Dr. Young was integral to the development and successful launch of the Indigenous Admissions Pathway.  

This pathway and the Indigenous Health program, known as Keknu’tmasiek Ta’n Tel Welo’ltimk (We are Learning to be Well), exists to identify and mitigate the unique and unjust barriers facing Indigenous learners when accessing medical education.

Its implementation is something Dr. Young calls a true career highlight.  

“The impact of having more than five per cent – or roughly 13 to 14 students – in each graduating class, that’s going to go a long way. It’s hard to fully appreciate the impact just yet because we’re only in the fourth year, and the first cohort will be graduating and entering residency training in 2027. Over the next five to ten years, it won’t be uncommon to see Mi’kmaw and Indigenous physicians practicing in our hospitals and at our health centres in Mi’kma’ki.”  

A personal connection  

This work has deep personal roots for Dr. Young. His mother is a Sixties Scoop survivor; his grandmother, a survivor of the Sandy Bay Indian Residential School.  

“Especially earlier in my education and now early in my career, there has very much been a fire and a passion to do right and right these wrongs that my family and my community have experienced,” he says. “Through my leadership work, being able to at least try to move the needle a little bit and make some meaningful change in our society has been very rewarding.”  

Dr. Young’s contributions are significant and spread across clinical, academic and board appointments.  

He works clinically at Sipekne'katik Health Centre and at the Wije’winen Health Centre in Halifax, where he also serves as medical director and maintains an academic appointment with the Department of Family Medicine as assistant professor.

He sits on boards for the Canadian Medical Association, the Indigenous Physician Association of Canada, and Doctors Nova Scotia. He also participates on Indigenous health committees for the College of Family Physicians of Canada and Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada. His previous work includes serving as co-chair for the National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education’s Anti-Racism Working Group.

Holistic approach to care

Dr. Young takes a holistic approach to care: one that considers the many factors influencing health and health decisions, like socio-economic status and intergenerational trauma, as well Western medical approaches and Indigenous cultural practices.

“If someone comes into my practice and they’re struggling…having the background and lived experience, seeing how issues have played out in my own family and community, goes a long way in being able to relate to that person, meet them where they are, and help them get to a better place.”

His approach focuses on seeing each patient for who they are and working to provide the right care at the right time – one that is inclusive, culturally appropriate and dignified.

“I’m Anishinaabe, and I’m here in Mi’kmaki. My nation’s teachings and cultural practices differ from the Mi’kmaw Nation but there are some common things that we share, including an appreciation for traditional teachings and recognizing how these apply in our everyday lives.”

“If someone comes into Wije’winen Health Centre, for example, and they’re in crisis, we have access to an Elder who can come into the waiting room or clinic rooms to be with that person. This can sometimes de-escalate a situation in ways that the traditional Western medical system cannot.”

Dr. Young says Indigenous communities, physicians and healthcare providers have advanced anti-racism, cultural safety and trauma-informed care to the benefit of the health system as a whole.  

“This work is not necessarily something specific to just Indigenous people – it’s about high-quality patient care that is compassionate and humanizing. I think sometimes we don’t do it justice to just consider these things as specific to Indigenous health. These are things that are important and should be prioritized across our healthcare system.”

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30 serve as an opportunity for Canadians to learn, reflect and address the lasting impact and multi-generational effects of the Residential School system. It honours Residential School survivors, their families and communities and is a difficult time for many Indigenous people.

“The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a very solemn day for me,” says Dr. Young, referring to his grandmother’s experience.  

During the first couple years of his career, Dr. Young engaged with the public during this day, something he says was difficult but also important.

“Every year, people start speaking and listening and asking questions. We start developing a bit of shared understanding around some of this. I think the key is asking ourselves what we are doing outside of this day, outside of this month, to make sure we’re still advancing the health and wellbeing of our communities.” 

Photo of Dr. Brent Young.