TORONTO -- The road has been a long one for Dr. Alika Lafontaine, a successful anesthesiologist, and now the first Indigenous president-elect of the Canadian Medical Association .
It hasn’t been an easy path. As a child, he says he was written off by teachers. He had a stutter, and was labelled developmentally delayed. The association highlighted in the announcement that one of Lafontaine’s achievements was co-leading the Indigenous Health Alliance from 2013 to 2017, a “health transformation project” involving 150 First Nations and several national health organizations.A key element of his success has been his parents’ unconditional support, he says, which shaped his life.
“We do have dentist, we do have a lawyer, we do have a person that works in the hospital, and [our] daughter is a chemist,” Manusiu said proudly. His parents taught him about his Pacific Island culture and Indigenous heritage to give him a strong sense of self. Travelling to different communities while on tour also helped him learn how to relate with people from all walks of life.He still encountered struggles in his first year of medical school. But Lafontaine credits his mentors as champions on his journey to reach his goal.
He even saw his brother — dentist Dr. Kamea Lafontaine — struggle to get appropriate care in hospital for a serious condition.
some people
Congratulations Doctor. Never give up. Can’t wait to share your beautiful and successful story to my kids. Being bullied many times, it’s not the end of the world. Thank you for saving lives 🙏
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Congrats! Too many doubters out there. Always follow your own path.
Is he practicing indigenous medicine or cultural appropriation?
cblackst Love this!!! I was told I was “slow” and was put in alternative education in high school (i was having problems at home/learning but rather than provide “resources,” the school just labelled me as slow) .. but here I am in grad school at 37!! StandProud 🪶
from high school. We graduate from high school. You're welcome.
Contrary to 'woke progressives ' race baiting narratives Canadians are always happy to see successful , hard working indigenous people. Employers bend over backwards to train & employ them.
What a terrific story CTVNationalNews
Congratulationa Alika!
Congratulations
And they said Canada was racist?!? 👍🏾👍🏾
A heartfelt congratulations ❤️❤️
Teacher was a good motivational influence.
Amazing
NightShiftMD Congratulations. Well deserved. It’s amazing what one can do when told they can’t do something. Gives one pause as an educator to be respectful and compassionate of all. We never know the whole picture. All the best on a long career.
NightShiftMD Fantastic story and an amazing family. 👏 Congratulations Dr Lafontaine!
What a wonderful man, family, and story. I hope Dr. LaFontaine's boyhood school critics read this or, better still, the good Doctor meets them some day. Congratulations and continued success for the LaFontaine family. 👍👌❤️🇨🇦
You go guy! Another example that sometimes the gifted kids are treated like ‘slow’ learners instead of ‘different’ learners. It was the same for Einstein.
Indigenous women are over represented in women's prisons. Today there was a protest because male bodied rapists like 'Tara DeSouza' have been transferred over from men's prisons. Anyone with a penis intact can transfer of they say they are a woman. You hate women.
Wow great story ☺️
Awesome!
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