Dr. James Makokis is a Nehiyô two-spirit physician from the Onihcikiskapowinihk (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) in Treaty Number Six Territory. He practices Family Medicine with a focus on rebuilding the Nehiyô medical system and uplifting the two-spirit community by providing gender affirming care. Dr. Makokis recently started as the Interim Associate Dean of Indigenous Resurgence in Medicine and Wellness at the Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Medicine. He is the Inaugural Research Chair in Pimâtisiwin, Medicine and Health Systems Resurgence at Anishnawbe Health Toronto, where he also completes his clinical work. He was the inaugural Medical Director at Shkaabe Makwa at the Centre For Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto – the first Indigenous health centre designed to lead systems’ transformation in Indigenous mental health across the country. He is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta and an Adjunct Faculty at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.
In 2019, Dr. Makokis competed as one half of “Team Ahkameyimok” (Never Give Up in the Cree Language) on the Amazing Race Canada and won, becoming the first two-spirit, Indigenous, married couple in the world to do so. In 2020 Dr. Makokis was named one of 30 most powerful physicians in the country by The Medical Post, but believes power is a concept that should be shared amongst others. Dr. Makokis is passionate about revitalizing the Nehiyô medical system, educating people about Treaty, and working toward the vision of Turtle Island, which is to live together in peace and friendship.
