Dr Alika Tongamatamoa Siaosi Lafontaine (39), an anaesthesiologist who advocates to improve indigenous health care in Canada was elected President of the Canadian Medical Association, the first person of indigenous descent to do so.

He also has Tongan heritage from his mother Manusiu, from Longomapu in Vava'u.

In 2021, Dr Lafontaine was listed on the Medical Post's "Doctors with Sway," a list of the top 30 most influential physicians in Canada based on peer feedback.

The award winning physician who is currently practicing in Grande Prairie, Alberta, became the CMA president-elect last month. He will become the official CMA President for 2022-23, in August.

Manusiu shared her son's news with Matangi Tonga earlier this week “to encourage our people to make a difference where ever they are living. It is difficult to make your voice heard or get help for your children especially if you are a minority.”

Journey

Dr Lafontaine has overcome challenges to become an outstanding community leader and still remembers the time in his life, when he was afraid to speak.

With a stutter and a learning disability, childhood teachers warned he would be lucky to finish high school. But his mother refused to accept this prognosis, telling her son he could become anything even a physician.

He told reporters, "My mom really pushed me through with her vision of what I could be. She sponsored me into a lot of spaces I never imagined I could participate in."

He has served in medical leadership positions for almost two decades.

Recognised by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

In 2017 Dr Lafontaine was recognized by Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his work in the Indigenous Health Alliance.

At the Public Policy Forum, PM Trudeau commended Dr Lafontaine's dedication when presenting him with the award which recognizes young women and men from mid-teens to late 30s, who influenced the way they think and act in public policy and civic engagement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Qc-s8uRvo [2]

Dr Lafontaine dedicated his career to furthering aboriginal health. "He is happy to advocate for better healthcare for indigenous Canadians."

Dr Lafontaine is also a past recipient of the Canadian Medical Association Award for Young Leaders (Early Career) and the Canadian Medical Association Sir Charles Tupper Award for Political Action and remains the youngest recipient of the Inspire Award, the highest honour the indigenous community bestows upon its own people.

New role

In his new role as President of the Canadian Medical Association, Dr Lafontaine plans to focus on addressing issues of inequity and establishing national licensing for physicians to help prepare Canadian physicians for future health care crises.

This comes after witnessing the impacts of CoViD-19 on physician’s lives.

Mobility, employability and collaboration should exist in a post-pandemic world, along with the decreased stress, burnout and improved wellness that will result, he said.

"It's also time to eliminate racism, sexism, ableism, classism and all other '-isms' that permeate health system culture.”

Dr Lafontaine holds leadership positions with many organizations, including Alberta Health Services, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada.

He is married with four children.

His mother Manusiu is proud of the family”s Tongan heritage.

“I left the Island when I was 12 years old and lived in California. I married  to Canada and raised five children. Alika is our third son,” she said.

“His grand parents are Siosefa Hengehenga Tonga from Talau, Neiafu, Vava’u, and his grand mother is Melelua (Ata) Tonga from Longomapu, Vavau. Siosefa Hengehenga Tonga was given a name ‘Toutaiola’ from Princess Pilolevu during the celebration of the LDS church 100 years in California. He has now passed,” she said.