Dr. Jordin Fletcher was honoured today by family members and friends at a gathering held at the Missanabie Cree First Nation office on Queen St. E.
Fletcher was recognized for becoming Missanabie Cree First Nation’s first band member to earn a medical degree.
“It doesn't feel like it's something I've done alone or by myself. This is a celebration for everyone. It’s important to recognize what our people are doing and what they can do. I wouldn't be here without all of you,” Fletcher told an audience assembled at the Missanabie Cree First Nation office.
The audience included Fletcher’s grandmother Jackie Fletcher and great-aunt Shirley Horn.
The two women are Shingwauk Residential School survivors who later formed the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association.
Horn also served as Missanabie Cree First Nation’s chief and went on to become Algoma University’s first-ever chancellor.
“I'm so honoured to be a member of Missanabie Cree First Nation and of the strength and power of our ancestors to stand and be leaders here . . . for Aunt Shirley and Nanny (Jackie Fletcher) for showing me the strong woman path.
"I'm proud of all of you for being here and supporting each other and keeping this community together and strong. I'm excited to be its first doctor,” said Fletcher, who originally worked as a nurse before earning her medical school degree in the spring from Dalhousie University.
She soon begins a two-year internship with Dalhousie in Shubenacadie First Nation in Nova Scotia before starting to practice family medicine.
“I think in colonial systems to get people to listen to you, sometimes you have to earn the titles and that's one of the reasons I went into medicine, to be able to push for change in a way that people had to listen,” Fletcher told SooToday.
She said she envisions working as a doctor in Mi'kma'ki territory in Eastern Canada.
“I've been thinking a lot about what primary care can look like there and what services we can provide in their communities instead of having folks travel to the city or far away.
"I want to increase access to services for Indigenous people in their communities, close to their homes in a good way, in a way that brings healing,” Fletcher said.