Josh Swain (MSc 23, BSc 21) knows how fortunate he is to have found his calling – and credits his time at The University of Winnipeg for helping him discover his path.
Josh was a mature student when enrolled at UWinnipeg in 2016. He already had a seven-year career in finance. Despite his success, Josh described himself as miserable, mentally drained and disengaged from his work. Encouraged with the blunt advice of his father, Josh took a leap of faith and enrolled at UWinnipeg with high hopes and an open mind.
Before stepping foot on campus, Josh, who is Red River Métis, already achieved a major milestone. He was the first in his family to attend university. Initially, Josh arrived to discover a career in health, particularly occupational therapy. Everything changed when he took a first-year class with instructor Beata Biernacka and changed his major to biology.
“I had so many professors that encouraged me to open doors for myself,” said Josh of the close-knit community he found at UWinnipeg. “The level of relationships I had with faculty and staff was not something I would have experienced anywhere else.” Among those mentors was Dr. Melanie Martin, who Josh credits as a key influence in nurturing his passion for science and personal growth.
This passion extended beyond the classroom. Josh reconnected with his Métis heritage by getting involved with .caISES, a campus-run group that supports Indigenous students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Josh says it was this advocacy work and community involvement that gave him a deep appreciation for integrating Western medical practices with traditional Indigenous healing.
It was new to me to be vocally Indigenous and focus on Indigenous-specific issues.
Josh Swain
“I credit my extracurricular community involvement at the university in leading me on my professional path,” said Josh. “It was new to me to be vocally Indigenous and focus on Indigenous-specific issues.”
By the time Josh graduated, he was accepted to McGill University as part of the inaugural cohort of McCall McBain Scholars in 2021. He was surprised to find that McGill lacked a course in Indigenous health within McGill’s School of Population and Global Health. To rectify the gap, Josh partnered with fellow UWinnipeg alum, Sydney Leggett, to create the first Indigenous health course. Launched in 2023, this course provided an overview of Indigenous perspectives in healthcare research and delivery.
“It was a lot of work and really fun,” said Josh of creating the course. “We had a lot of faculty support and pushback at the same time. But we got it done!”
The course gives students a base level understanding of the health disparities Indigenous populations face. “I gained an understanding of how not to homogenize Indigenous folks when it comes to approaches to health,” said Josh of the perspective that continues to inform his work today.
Now, Josh is a Policy Development Officer for Toronto Public Health. He plays a leading role in shaping the Toronto Public Health’s Indigenous Health Strategy, working to create an action plan for Indigenous health and wellness in urban communities.
“I love my job! This role is so aligned with what I am hoping to do with impact and using the core competencies I learned in university. I get to work closely with community health organizations and community members; in Indigenous spaces while doing meaningful engagement work.”
Looking back, Josh says the sense of community he found – both within his faculty and through .caISES – really enhanced his time at UWinnipeg.
“I honestly had one of the best experiences going to The University of Winnipeg. There is a confidence that grew in me from being at UWinnipeg, and that’s something I have been able to apply to my professional life every day.”
