Julia Hildebrand
Program: Honours Health Sciences Level IV
Since beginning her undergraduate studies at McMaster, Julia has become familiar with the large gaps that exist in our education system when it comes to learning about Canada’s colonial past and present, challenges faced by Indigenous communities in Canada, and the importance of Indigenous voices and ways of knowing in today’s society. She became motivated to join the Indigenous Health Movement after attending the conference in 2017, and listening to speakers’ experiences and insights on topics that are often left untouched in classrooms and lecture halls. Julia acknowledges that she is still learning how to orient herself as a settler when it comes to issues and topics surrounding Indigenous health; however as an aspiring healthcare professional who understands the importance of social determinants of health, she considers it her responsibility to educate herself on these topics and to encourage others to do so as well. Her hope is that this year’s IHM conference will provide McMaster students and the surrounding community with an opportunity to have open and genuine discussion about Indigenous health topics, as well as their significance and applicability within our community.