Shawna Duncan

Job Title
Aboriginal Health Lead (AHL)

Department/Location
Aboriginal Health Department (AH)

How long have you worked at VCH?
Since August 2016.

Tell us what you do at VCH in one or two sentences:
As an AHL, I work with our Indigenous Elders alongside of developing cultural safety curriculum and training. I am very honored to be learning from and working for our Indigenous Elders, they inform all that I do. The cultural safety curriculum training is exciting work that will be transforming VCH in a good way!

What’s your favourite thing about your work?
I love working with my AH Department family and how we are all making a difference in a good way!

How does your work contribute to the VCH True North goals?
My work is woven alongside of my AH Department’s family’s work in providing indigenous peoples with culturally safe health care.

One thing we might be surprised to learn about you:
As the momma bear (my daughter’s name for me) of 4 and the kokum (Cree for grandmother) of 4 grand babies, I have been training in a variety of martial arts for 17 years. Presently I train in jui jitsu and boxing.

Three things you always have in your fridge:
Salmon and vegetables.

Who or what inspires you?
Gwen Point is respected Stó:lõ leader who inspires me. She is my role model in living in both worlds and making a difference in a good way.

Most healthy habit:
My martial arts training and my love for art making helps to keep me balanced.

Favourite vacation spot:
My favorite vacation spot is in the tireless runners’ 37 foot ocean going canoe, during our annual 10 day canoe journey.  Shout out to my Kwantlen canoe family!