June 17, 2025

Grace Salomonie joined the Can-SOLVE CKD Network in January 2025 as a member of the Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council (IPERC). A 24-year-old Inuk woman, Grace grew up in Iqaluit and Cape Dorset. In May, she attended her first in-person Can-SOLVE CKD Annual Gathering, held in Vancouver alongside the Canadian Society of Nephrology’s AGM.

This year’s event brought together both of the network’s patient councils—the Patient Governance Council (PGC) and IPERC—for a day of relationship building, shared learning, and collaborative planning.

We spoke with Grace about her reflections on the gathering, her commitment to Indigenous health, and some interesting facts about her early childhood.

How did you first hear about IPERC and become involved?

I was introduced to IPERC through Can-SOLVE CKD Network Indigenous Liaison Manager and fellow IPERC member Catherine Turner. I found it helpful to hear through word of mouth because personal stories from trusted peers build credibility, reduce stigma, and encourage others to seek connection and support.

What was your impression of attending your first in-person network gathering?

Attending the 2025 Can-SOLVE CKD Annual Gathering was truly inspiring—the synergy between the PGC and IPERC is amazing! I want to thank the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations for inviting me to the gathering on their unceded territory. I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to listen to everyone’s story and share my story.

How does this intersect with your work?

My work as a policy advisor at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami on the Qanuippitaa National Inuit Health Survey strongly intersects with the mandate of the Can-SOLVE CKD Network. Indigenous health advocacy is crucial to achieving transformative and innovative patient care for people affected by kidney disease, acknowledging that there are distinct cultural practices for all Indigenous people.

What are some key takeaways or learnings that resonated with you?

A key takeaway from the gathering is that empowering patients through collaboration and community engagement is essential when conducting meaningful research. Delivering quality care through a culturally grounded lens is imperative to improving the health and wellness of people impacted by chronic illness. Coming together as a community to support patients and their caregivers is incredibly important.

Is there a fun or surprising fact you’d like to share with members of the network?

A fun fact about me is that I spoke only Inuktitut until I was around five years old, so during my early years, I was raised very traditionally back home on South Baffin Island. I gained greater fluency in English when I briefly lived in Saskatchewan on Treaty 4 territory while I was in primary school.

Another fact about me is that although I began my post-secondary studies in biochemistry at uOttawa, I made the difficult decision to switch to biology after a hiatus. Although I enjoyed the chemistry courses I took, a biology course I chose as an elective really solidified my interest in the program.