Meet Cailean Dakota (Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Treaty 6) Third-Year Medical Student

Cailean Dakota’s journey to medicine is one of resilience, identity, and advocacy. Coming from a lineage of traditional healers and bush nurses, they initially struggled to see themselves in the medical field. But after experiencing firsthand the barriers that Indigenous people face in healthcare, a deep fire was ignited within them—a call from their ancestors to heal their people.

Determined to break the mold, Dakota embarked on an eight-year path to medical school, starting at their local community college. Now in their third year of medical school, they proudly carry their culture with them—both in their practice and through their traditional chin markings, a powerful symbol of identity, connection, and strength.

As a future dermatologist, Dakota is committed to reshaping the field with Indigenous knowledge, traditional healing practices, and a focus on the unique skin health needs of Indigenous and 2Spirit communities. Their project, 2Spirit Skin Stories, explores the intersection of identity, gender, and dermatologic care, shedding light on the barriers Indigenous LGBTQ2S+ individuals face when seeking treatment. By combining storytelling with scholarly research, they hope to elevate Indigenous representation in dermatology and advocate for holistic, culturally grounded skin care.

Dakota is honored to serve as a mentor for We Are Healers, bringing their lived experience and passion for intersectional medicine to support the next generation of Indigenous health professionals. Their goal? To create space for healing, advocacy, and empowerment—ensuring that future generations see themselves reflected in medicine, just as they do today.