Dr. Cassandra Felske-Durksen
Cassandra Felske-Durksen cropped.jpg

I was taught by Leah Walker of Seabird Island First Nation that when speak (write) on topics such as these: Indigenous Peoples and their health, it is important to locate oneself socially and ethnogeographically. 

I self-identify as Otipemisiwak.

This is what my plains Nêhiyawak relatives refer to my Peoples as. I am told it literally translates to: "The free People; The People who own themselves".  

I hail from the Northern Prairies of Turtle Island, which is a common territory to many Original Peoples. I trained in the Unceded Coast Salish Territories, specifically in Indigenous health.

My practice is based out of the Indigenous Wellness Clinic, located at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Amiskwacîwâskahikan, and is focused on Indigenous reproductive and sexual health. 

I feel like my responsibility as an Indigenous person and physician is to act as observer and witness. And my role is to make space and hold it for others – for their stories, their resilience and their (body) sovereignty. 

I stand on the shoulders of giants. I am humbled by the knowledge, skills and ways of my colleagues and communities.  

I learn every day. I am humbled by my mistakes and missteps, every day.