UAlberta lifts cap for Indigenous med students

The University of Alberta’s medical school is lifting a three-decade-old quota system that capped the number of reserved seats for Indigenous students at the school at five, reports the Edmonton Journal. Tibetha Kemble, Director of the Indigenous Health Initiative Program in UAlberta’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry said that five seats offered a meaningful measure 30 years ago, but worsening health crises amongst Indigenous populations and calls to action following the TRC have rendered the quota inadequate. “It’s when Indigenous physicians, educators and other professionals go back to their communities and give back at that direct service level that their ability to become change makers in their communities and across their professions is profound,” said Kemble. “That’s really the long-term vision.”  The Journal adds that UAlberta will introduce four new full-tuition scholarships for incoming Indigenous medical students. Edmonton Journal (AB)