The First Nations Health Authority's (FNHA) former Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shannon McDonald, is one of Indspire's 2025 laureates in celebrating Indigenous excellence. The Indspire Awards, held annually for the past 31 years, represent the highest honour the Indigenous community bestows upon its own people.

Dr. McDonald is Métis/Anishinaabe with deep roots in the Red River Valley of Manitoba. She is married, has five children and three grandchildren, and lives as a guest on Tsawout First Nation, just north of Victoria BC.

Dr. McDonald worked for over 25 years in Indigenous health, with experience working at multiple levels of health care service delivery and administration in both provincial and federal settings. Prior to joining the FNHA, she served for five years as Executive Director of Aboriginal Health at the BC Ministry of Health. Dr. McDonald became acting CMO in January 2018, retiring from her long health career on Jan. 6, 2023.

In a farewell speech on that day, she shared gratitude for her time at the FNHA.

“I could not be more honoured than to have served the First Nations people in BC as a Takaya family member at the FNHA, and am pleased to leave the ongoing efforts in very capable hands. Together, we have impacted not only the health and wellness of First Nations people in BC, but also the health system that serves them."

Do you know a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis individual whose story could inspire, uplift, and educate? Nominations for the 2026 Indspire Awards are now open.​