Indigenous Achievement Week: Celebrating College of Medicine learners

Indigenous Achievement Week (IAW) is an annual University of Saskatchewan (USask) event that celebrates Métis, First Nations and Inuit students, staff, faculty and alumni’s successes.

The College of Medicine is proud to celebrate those honoured with USask Indigenous Student Achievement Awards. These awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Indigenous students for their academic achievement, community engagement, leadership and resiliency.

Community Engagement 

For students who have made significant contributions to an Indigenous or non-Indigenous community.

Mackenzie Naytowhow (She/Her)
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
AWARDED BY THE PRINCE ALBERT CAMPUS
Montreal Lake

Mackenzie Naytowhow is a proud First Nations woman from Montreal Lake Cree Nation and a first-year Bachelor of Science student in Biomedical Science at the University of Saskatchewan. A dedicated student-athlete, Mackenzie balanced academic excellence with competing on multiple basketball teams and in competitive speed swimming, while also earning her coaching certification and mentoring youth in sport. She volunteers with the In the Hands of Children breakfast program, helping prepare hundreds of meals for children each month. Guided by the teachings of the Medicine Wheel and inspired by her family’s legacy in Indigenous education, Mackenzie hopes to pursue a career in physiotherapy or medicine to support athletes and inspire Indigenous youth to pursue their dreams.

Leadership

For students who have demonstrated exemplary leadership on or off-campus.

Connor Clarke (He/Him)
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
AWARDED BY INDIGENOUS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PATHWAYS
Métis - Buffalo Narrows

Connor Clarke is a proud Métis from Buffalo Narrows, SK, and a second-year student in the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Foundations program, with a long-term goal of practicing dentistry with a focus on equitable care to Northern communities. Connor is a peer mentor with ISAP learning communities team.

Samantha Leech (She/Her)
UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION
AWARDED BY UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION
Métis Nation Saskatchewan

Samantha Leech is a Class of 2028 medical student (MD). Her research at USask examines barriers and strategies to improve equitable access to diagnostic imaging. Samantha serves as a Regina representative for the Indigenous Medical Students Association of Saskatchewan, helping lead cultural initiatives, including cultural beading events, that foster connection and advocacy on campus. As a violinist with the Regina Symphony Orchestra and a Métis and Celtic fiddler, she uses music to connect with her heritage and strengthen community connections. Samantha is a strong Métis voice at the Regina College of Medicine campus and endeavors to promote and attend meetings related to the Indigenous portfolio whenever possible.

Michelle Desjarlais (She/Her)
UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION

Michelle Desjarlais is a Class of 2027 medical student (MD). She serves as the Regina Social Representative, SMSS, for her cohort and was recently highlighted for her role in organizing the 2025 Integration Weekend for first-year medical learners. In 2024, she was named a Dean’s Project Awardee by the College of Medicine. Her research involves conducting chart reviews for hundreds of patients to measure and compare surgical times. Michelle immerses herself in community volunteerism as a crisis line worker for the Regina Sexual Assault Clinic. She says the skills she has learned, including trauma informed communication, are greatly transferrable to her medical education and future career.

Research

For students who undertook unique or compelling undergraduate or graduate research.

Caleb White (He/Him)
BIOMEDICAL NEUROSCIENCE
Métis

Caleb White is a member of Métis Nation–Saskatchewan and is in his final year of an undergraduate Biomedical Neuroscience Honours degree. He is researching in the Howland laboratory and is grateful for the support he has received in the lab. Caleb has applied to the Master of Science program in Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology. He intends to develop his research interests and work toward his goal of contributing to neuroscience.