Zoe Quill: Leading the Way in First Nations Health Transformation
When Moriah Davis, Chief Strategic Officer of Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin, met Zoe Quill during an interview panel for applicants to the University of Manitoba’s College of Medicine, she knew immediately that Zoe was exceptional.
“She stood out for several reasons,” Davis recalls. “What I observed in Zoe is a rare level of leadership—not always seen, and even rarer in someone so young.”
Today, Quill, 25, has been officially accepted in her first year of medical school starting in the fall of 2025. As a citizen of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation who was born and raised in Winnipeg, she grew up in a single-parent household with three siblings. She began forging a path reflecting determination and purpose from a young age. Becoming a physician was never her only goal—it was one part of a broader vision for uplifting First Nations health systems and communities.
Quill’s interest in medicine was first sparked in Grade 7 during a school career fair. She spoke with a family physician, but instead of receiving encouragement, she was told that pursuing medicine would be too difficult for someone like her. “I came home feeling discouraged,” she recalled, “but it was also the first time I realized how powerful and healing this field could be—and I was inspired.”
“I believe my aspirations started years ago,” she shared. “It wasn’t just about becoming a physician. I saw early on that there are many ways to contribute.” Quill’s journey began with research, engaging in projects that supported public health and infectious disease prevention in northern communities. Her efforts have focused on building stronger and more responsive health-care systems that could better serve First Nations populations.
Her lived experiences with discrimination in health care shaped her resolve. Having witnessed her own family members be failed by the system, she developed a deep sense of injustice—and a determination to change it. “To me, becoming a physician means standing on the front lines of care,” she said. “It’s about increasing First Nation representation in medicine and using my lived experience to help shape better policy and improve how care is delivered.”
Quill has taken on national leadership roles. She organized policy round tables with Indigenous youth from across Canada, focusing on issues like mental health, suicide prevention, and systemic racism in health care. “That was before I even applied to medical school,” she said. “I was already working to improve our health-care system.”
Throughout her academic journey, Quill has worked to create spaces that feel safe and inclusive. At the University of Manitoba, she served as the Indigenous Representative on the Science Students’ Association. She noticed a lack of access to culture and ceremony and worked to make these elements more available. “My role involved making culture more accessible, building community, and fostering a sense of belonging. That helped combat isolation.”
Davis praised Quill’s efforts, highlighting her instinctive understanding of leadership as both personal and collective. “Helping yourself is helping everyone else,” Davis said. “You will soon become accustomed to being called on as a spokesperson, as an advocate. Are you ready for what’s coming?”
“I am so ready.” Quill replied.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Quill chose not to apply to medical school immediately. She had recently lost her Kookum—a deeply important figure in her life—and knew she needed time to grieve before beginning such a significant journey.
“When I did apply, I entered knowing the challenges ahead,” she shared. “I’m fortunate to have a strong support system.” Her family stood behind her throughout her education, and her home community of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation supported her both financially and emotionally, celebrating each milestone along the way.
That encouragement was echoed in the recognition she received. Zoe was recently awarded the Nellie McClung Foundation “Yes I Can” Leadership Award and the Manitoba Indigenous Youth Achievement Award for Health-South. These two honours speak not only to her academic promise but also to her deep commitment to community and systemic change.
Even with such recognition, Quill remains grounded.
“I know I’ll face hardship,” Quill acknowledged, “but I’m determined and ready to overcome it.”
When asked what message she would share with other First Nations youth, Quill emphasized the power of lived experience. “We all face barriers,” she said. “But I’ve learned that what we go through can shape policy, change the spaces we occupy, and help the next generation. That’s what I advocate for.”
Looking ahead, Quill’s vision extends well beyond clinical practice. “I’ll always be connected to my community,” she said. “There are so many ways to contribute to health care, not just as a physician. As a researcher, I can ask why barriers exist and look for solutions. As a policymaker, I can help shape a system that works for us. As an advocate, I can push for reconciliation—not just for patients, but for peers, friends, and family.”
Zoe Quill’s journey is only beginning—but her voice, vision, and leadership are already shaping the future of First Nations health in powerful and lasting ways. As Moriah Davis shared in their conversation, “We want to support you—and that support extends into the years ahead.” Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin Inc. (KIM Inc.) remains committed to walking alongside young leaders like Quill, continuing to uplift, celebrate, and learn from those who are driving meaningful change in their communities and across the health system.