What is a land acknowledgement, what is the intended purpose, and why are they important? For Part 7 of our series focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), we are joined by two members of the Saskatchewan Health Authority: Mike Northcott, Chief Human Resource Officer, and Andre Letendre, Senior Specialist Cultural Health Systems – First Nations & Metis Health. Together, they answer these questions and both demonstrate and teach how to create and deliver authentic and personal land acknowledgements.
Tune in as we engage with these thought-leaders to explore the history and importance of land acknowledgements and how their use contributes to meaningful truth and reconciliation.
About Mike Northcott
Mike Northcott is Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Chief Human Resources Officer. Mike and his team are responsible for all human resource operations and professionals to ensure that the organization attracts, develops and retains the best health care professionals for the province of Saskatchewan.
Mike joined the former Saskatoon Health Region in 2007 and played a key role in the strategic direction of the region’s human resource functions. Throughout his career in human resources, Mike has served in various leadership positions in health care in Saskatchewan and Alberta, most recently as the Director of Human Resources for the former Saskatoon Health Region. Mike holds a Masters of Human Resources Management from the University of Regina. He also has a Bachelor of Science Kinesiology Degree and a Bachelor of Commerce, both from the University of Saskatchewan.
Mike is passionate about leadership and is a graduate of the Saskatchewan Leadership Program, the Queens Leadership Program and is a certified Lean Leader. He believes that the most important job a leader has is developing more leaders. He has served as the co-chair of the Joint Health Human Resources Committee, as a member of the Health Labour Relations Counsel and a member of the Provincial Health Authority Transition Team. Currently, Mike serves on the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) Board of Directors, and is a member of the Learning/Education Advisory Group for HealthCareCAN, an advisory body helping to shape professional development opportunities and resources for healthcare leadership across Canada.
About André Letendre
Andre Letendre is originally from Batoche but primarily grew up in Prince Albert and now lives in Saskatoon. He is the second youngest of 7 siblings. His educational background is in Human Justice and he has worked extensively with Nehiyawak and Nakawe Ketayak (both Elders). He is Michif and is very proud of his heritage and has raised his children and grandchildren to be proud of their culture as well.
Andre has always felt a calling to help those in need and when he began reconciling his own life at the age of 32, he was drawn to work with federal and provincial Indigenous prisoners as well as work in the community providing support and guidance to those who were struggling to make change in their lives. Now that he is entering his 7th Fire, he is guided to work in Health to assist in making change to the system and support health care workers in providing services to First Nations and Metis patients, clients and residents.
Early in his personal reconciliation, he found that humor was very powerful in building confidence and self-worth and he applies this in his present work. Andre is also a musician, which has also been a fundamental aspect to his healing. He writes that he is honored to do the work he has been asked to do and appreciates the opportunity to continue to learn and grow.
Helpful Links
Mike Northcott | LinkedIn: Click Here
Saskatchewan Health Authority| Website: Click Here
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