The Divinity School is pleased to announce a public lecture by Jocelyn Formsma: "Urban Indigenous Healthcare: Community Solutions to Systemic Racism"

Friday, February 24, 2023, 4:00pm, Swift Hall Common Room -- Livestream Available

Join us for a conversation with Jocelyn Formsma, Executive Director of the National Association of Friendship Centres, about historical and systemic injustices in the healthcare system toward Indigenous peoples – and the growing push for community-driven solutions. Formsma will speak about her efforts to ensure that urban Indigenous peoples across Canada can access equitable healthcare services with dignity, without fear, and free from discrimination. The event will be moderated by Mark Lambert, PhD, Divinity School Teaching Fellow. 

Ms. Formsma is a member of the Moose Cree First Nation in Treaty #9 territory in Northern Ontario. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences, a Juris Doctorate from the University of Ottawa and is called to the Bar of Ontario. Ms. Formsma has over 20 years of work and volunteer experience building strong relationships and advocacy with Indigenous peoples. She has worked in areas of social justice, media (radio, film and television), child welfare reform, youth engagement, and Indigenous children’s rights with and for numerous Indigenous and First Nations organizations. Currently, Jocelyn is a board member of the Indigenous Bar Association, an Advisor to the Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project, and was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. Previously, Ms. Formsma served as Board Member and Chairperson for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and Board Member of the National Indian Child Welfare Association. As NAFC CEO, Ms. Formsma brings her legal training and passion for Access to Justice to her work with Indigenous peoples in urban environments and the Friendship Centre Movement towards innovative, positive and effective systemic change for Indigenous peoples.

This event is co-sponsored by the Pozen Center for Human Rights and the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture at the University of Chicago.