First Nations and Métis Organ Donation and Transplantation Network

02/02/2026

The 2025 United Nations political declaration on noncommunicable diseases sets out renewed global commitments to tackle premature deaths from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and other NCDs.

Kidney disease is both a consequence and a driver of circulatory diseases, sharing risk factors, pathways, and health system solutions.

Drs. Caroline Tait and Marcello Tonelli, both from the University of Calgary, both had roles in this declaration.

Unpack what the declaration actually means

On February 24 at 3 p.m., join the Global Coalition for Circulatory Health Webinar: Translating the 2025 UN political declaration commitments into action for circulatory health to explore what must happen at national levels for the declaration to translate into better health outcomes for your patients.

Register and learn more here:

26JanJanuary 26, 2026 From UN political declaration to patient outcomes: Join global leaders for a webinar on February 24 jbrown2026-01-26T08:48:49+00:00 Advocacy, News How can the UN political declaration commitments translate into real change for people living with circulatory conditions? The 2025...

11/04/2025

It is with deep sadness that we learnt of the passing of Vivian Meabry, a dear founding Elder member of our First Nations and Metis Organ Donation and Transplantation Network. I look at this photo and remember all the wonderful people, memories, difficult and productive discussions, and the fun we had. Vivian was a positive force in our efforts, always reminding us of the importance of faith, commitment to our people, and the importance of supporting one another. She will be truly missed by her family, friends and all who had the joy of knowing her.

10/22/2025

The Saskatchewan NEIHR (Network Environments of Indigenous Health Research), in collaboration with the CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child, and Youth Health, and the Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health, invite you to an evening of sharing and learning about Indigenous Child, Youth, and Family Health Research. Scientific Directors from these two CIHR institutes will be present.

The event is open to the public and will take place at Marquis Hall, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK.

Registrations is required:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-conversations-tickets-1849285626089?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/05/2025

Café Scientifique Video Series! 🎥

Dr. Caroline Tait: Building Equity and Inclusion in Organ Donation and Transplantation for Indigenous People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPaNaXf-sr0&list=PLhBJGRs7ZhR9_xowQYGwhNdD4UJ9uTMyv&index=4

CDTRP - Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program

Caroline Tait is Métis from MacDowall, Saskatchewan. She is trained as a medical anthropologist with research interests in addressing Indigenous health inequ...

08/14/2025

Café Scientifique Video Series! 🎥

Dr. Jag Gill: Working with Indigenous People in Transplant Medicine – The BRIDGE to Transplant Initiative.

Access recording here:

CDTRP - Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program

Dr. Jagbir Gill is currently an Associate Professor in the Division of Nephrology in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC). ...

06/21/2025

Café Scientifique Video Series! 🎥Prioritizing Organ Donation & Transplantation for Indigenous People

We’re honoured to feature Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, in our next Café Scientifique video. A tireless advocate for Indigenous rights and justice, Grand Chief Phillip shares powerful reflections on leadership, resilience, and his personal journey, including receiving a kidney transplant from his daughter in 2021.

CDTRP - Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program
UBCIC

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip is the President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), a position he has served for the past 26 years after being reelected i...

06/15/2025

Welcome to SK-NEIHR, the nātawihowin (pronunciation) and mamawiikikayaahk (pronunciation) Research, Training and Mentorship Networks. We facilitate First Nations and Métis health research, training, and knowledge mobilization throughout Saskatchewan that is grounded in community and led by Méti...

06/12/2025

Café Scientifique Video Series! 🎥

We are pleased to provide highlights from Café Scientifique: Pathways to Truth and Reconciliation: Organ Donation and Transplantation. This was the first national gathering to center Indigenous lived experience and expertise in donation and transplantation in Canada.

Our first featured video shares insights from Celia Deschambeault, who speaks to the unique challenges and systemic barriers faced by northern and remote communities.

📺 Watch now:

CDTRP - Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program

Introduction to the Pathways to Truth and Reconciliation: Organ Donation and Transplantation Café Scientifique (Canadian Session) and first presenter, Celia ...

12/07/2024

Cast your vote now for Dr. Caroline Tait's, Sean Muir's, Kevin Settee's, and Craig Settee's, SACRED GIFT, to help them win the “2025 ISN Film Community Best Film” award!

Vote and watch here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ISNfilm2025

Help spread the word, like and share this post!

12/07/2024

🎥✨ Sacred Gifts ✨🎥

Last Wednesday, December 4, Dr. Caroline Tait premiered Sacred Gifts, an inspiring animation that shares the inspiring true story of Kevin and Craig, two First Nations brothers whose journey is a testament to love, resilience, and the transformative power of organ donation.

The video follows Kevin’s path, from his early experiences as a pediatric kidney patient to the life-changing moment when his brother Craig made the extraordinary decision to become his living donor.

Watch this incredible animation here!

Sacred Gifts tells the powerful true story of two First Nations brothers, Kevin, a kidney transplant recipient, and his brother, Craig, who chose to become h...

11/03/2024

Dear friends,

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Gilbert Kewistep, a man from whom so many of us have learned over the years. Gilbert was a kind, gentle, and humble soul – a source of strength and inspiration for all of us. His wisdom, generosity, and gentle spirit will be deeply missed.

Gilbert was a knowledge keeper on our Saskatchewan NEIHR network and in the Saskatchewan Indigenous Mentorship Network before that. He guided us as a Sacred Pipe Carrier and a member of the Saskatchewan First Nations and Métis Organ Donation and Transplantation Think Tank.

Hailing from the Saulteaux/Nakaway Linguistic group in central Saskatchewan and originally from the Yellowquill First Nation, Gilbert lived in Saskatoon and contributed greatly to the life of the community. He was the proud father of four daughters and five sons, and a loving grandfather and great-grandfather to many. He was a cherished Elder, a dedicated social worker, and a beloved professor at First Nations University. As a survivor of both the Residential School System and the Sixties Scoop, he devoted his life to helping others heal from trauma with compassion and wisdom. His impact was profound, reaching far beyond Saskatoon and Saskatchewan.

Let us honour Gilbert’s memory by embracing the values of truth and reconciliation that he held dear, and by supporting each other. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

We are sharing a few videos so we can still hear Gilbert’s wise words.

A 2020 video with Judy Pelly on the importance of Orange Shirt Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F-ndcl1cuQ&t=325s

A 2021 reconciliation talk on the importance of the seasons https://youtu.be/ldF3lPlE0zg?si=S7TB8OPhBjgEc3r7

Gilbert and his son Neal in a 2017 Reconciliation Saskatoon testimonial https://youtu.be/SPGesWB_e20?si=59SqwnFLgzRRA7bs

Rest in peace, Gilbert. We are forever grateful for the legacy you have left us.

11/01/2024

Gilbert was a treasured member of our think tank in Saskatchewan. He will be deeply missed.

Dear friends,

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Gilbert Kewistep, a man from whom so many of us have learned over the years. Gilbert was a kind, gentle, and humble soul – a source of strength and inspiration for all of us. His wisdom, generosity, and gentle spirit will be deeply missed.

Gilbert was a knowledge keeper on our Saskatchewan NEIHR network and in the Saskatchewan Indigenous Mentorship Network before that. He guided us as a Sacred Pipe Carrier and a member of the Saskatchewan First Nations and Métis Organ Donation and Transplantation Think Tank.

Hailing from the Saulteaux/Nakaway Linguistic group in central Saskatchewan and originally from the Yellowquill First Nation, Gilbert lived in Saskatoon and contributed greatly to the life of the community. He was the proud father of four daughters and five sons, and a loving grandfather and great-grandfather to many. He was a cherished Elder, a dedicated social worker, and a beloved professor at First Nations University. As a survivor of both the Residential School System and the Sixties Scoop, he devoted his life to helping others heal from trauma with compassion and wisdom. His impact was profound, reaching far beyond Saskatoon and Saskatchewan.

Let us honour Gilbert’s memory by embracing the values of truth and reconciliation that he held dear, and by supporting each other. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

We are sharing a few videos so we can still hear Gilbert’s wise words.

A 2020 video with Judy Pelly on the importance of Orange Shirt Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F-ndcl1cuQ&t=325s

A 2021 reconciliation talk on the importance of the seasons https://youtu.be/ldF3lPlE0zg?si=S7TB8OPhBjgEc3r7

Gilbert and his son Neal in a 2017 Reconciliation Saskatoon testimonial https://youtu.be/SPGesWB_e20?si=59SqwnFLgzRRA7bs

Rest in peace, Gilbert. We are forever grateful for the legacy you have left us.