An advocate for Indigenous health equity and justice
Diverse experience across the fields of nursing and law led the Honourable Yvonne Boyer, LLD to become an advocate for Indigenous health equity and reproductive justice in Canada. A proud Michif and member of the Métis Nation with ancestral roots in Saskatchewan and the Red River, Senator Boyer began her career as a nurse working in small hospitals across Western Canada. The systemic racism she witnessed against Indigenous patients inspired her career shift into law, where she has since worked to combat inequality, improve cultural safety, and protect patients’ rights. As a Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal Health and Wellness at Brandon University, she examined the relationship between Indigenous health outcomes and legal and institutional systems. Her work on the forced and coerced sterilization of Indigenous women and other vulnerable groups has been especially significant, highlighting the need for informed consent and contributing to national calls for reform. Senator Boyer later introduced and passed Bill S-228 (which criminalized forced sterilization) into law, and co-established the Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice. Through her combined roles in medicine, law, education, and public service, Senator Boyer has helped to address the inequities that Indigenous people face and improve accountability within Canadian health care.
About the CMHF
The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) celebrates Canadian heroes whose work advances health in Canada and the world, fostering future generations of health professionals through the delivery of local and national youth education programs and awards.
This enduring tribute to our country’s rich medical history is showcased here and in our physical exhibit hall in London, ON
