June Awrey Lecture: Healing Relationships: Advancing Reconciliation in Health Care from a First Nation Perspective
The York University School of Nursing in the Faculty of Health will present the 2026 June Awrey Lecture “Healing Relationships:
Advancing Reconciliation in Health Care from a First Nation Perspective” on May 14 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
PLEASE REGISTER for Zoom webinar
Established in 2018, the June Awrey Lecture aspires to engage students, faculty, academic and practice partners, alumni, and others in ground-breaking ideas that will stimulate excellence in practice, policy, leadership, education and research. This year the June Awrey Lecture powered by RBC OnCampus, will focus on advancing reconciliation in healthcare. Delivering this year’s lecture is Elaine Johnston, a Registered Nurse with over 40 years of experience working with First Nations communities in outpost and urban settings.
Elaine Johnston, BScN, RN
Elaine Johnston, (Waaskonenhkwe) is a proud Anishinabe women of the Turtle clan of Serpent River First Nation. She is a BScN-prepared Registered Nurse, with 40 years of experience in healthcare. She is the eldest of eleven women in the Johnston family with numerous nieces and nephews. Elaine started her health career in Ambulance as a helicopter medic and went on to receive her diploma in nursing and later her nursing degree. She has worked in First Nations communities in the outpost setting and in central Ontario, both in emergency and ICU settings.
She also was seconded to the Canadian Coast Guard as Ship’s Registered Nurse. Elaine was the first woman and first Indigenous person on Bandage 1, the first Air Ambulance, now known as Air Ornge. Elaine has also held many health management positions. She developed the first Indigenous Health Access Centre within the provincial Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy in Ontario,
and was Chief of her community for 4 years, with 10 years of council experience. Elaine serves on numerous Boards and committees. She is Chair of the Algoma District School Board and Chair of the First Nation, Inuit, and Metis Trustee Council of the Ontario Public School Board Association. Elaine was the previous Chair of the Elliot Lake Hospital Board. She is Director of Services for Nogdawindamin where she oversees Adult & Children’s Mental Health, the Child Psychiatric Clinic, Behaviour Supports for Children, the Neonatal program, Family Wellbeing Services, Education Liaison, Cultural services, and Justice program. Elaine is the recipient of the Tony Jocko award and nominated for the Premiers Council Award.
