Allison Fisher
Lifetime Contribution
Allison Fisher is a visionary leader, community builder and social justice advocate, who has dedicated her career to creating a safe space where the First Peoples in Canada can live and celebrate their cultures.
Allison creates such a space as the Executive Director of the award-winning Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, which serves more than 18,000 First Nation, Inuit and Métis people annually through its culturally-based health programs and services.
Allison joined the Wabano Centre less than a year after it opened its doors in 1998 and has transformed the small, grassroots organization from a health clinic with a few ancillary services to one that has over 45 funders supporting a diverse set of programs and services covering the whole life cycle. The Centre has grown to 110 full-time staff, and over 450 active volunteers.
To accommodate the expansion of Wabano’s programs and services, Ms. Fisher led the $18-million capital expansion culminating in the redesign of the Centre by renowned architect Douglas Cardinal in 2013. In Allison’s words, she renovated the Centre to be “the heart, identity and expression of Indigenous people in Ottawa.” And she succeeded. The new building offers mental health and maternal wellness services, as well as social enterprise initiatives and a cultural gathering space for the broader community. Allison’s vision has transformed not only the face of Vanier, but how Indigenous people are seen in the City.
Her leadership has also ensured that the Wabano Center also serves to engage non-Indigenous entities and peoples in learning more about the Indigenous culture. Her vision of sharing in cultural teachings has resulted in all peoples being made to feel welcome at the Centre and to forge outstanding relationships in promoting culturally relevant exchanges. This model of inclusivity has resulted in advancing collaborations where none existed before.
In addition to her work with the Wabano Centre, Allison is a founding and continuing member of the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition. Through their work, the city of Ottawa became a designated site of the federal Urban Aboriginal Strategy. This ensures Aboriginal people in urban areas get much-needed support and services such as summer camps for youth and support for mothers and their children. Allison also sits on the TELUS Community Foundation Board, and the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) Provincial Board.
Allison Fisher is dedicated to bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to build healthy and inclusive communities. One noteworthy initiative is the work that she has done with the Ottawa Police Services which culminated in the development of a protocol for more culturally respectful policing. She also partnered with schools, community agencies and government to develop practical, culturally-appropriate approaches to better support urban Aboriginal children and families.
The Wabano Centre was awarded the Tommy Douglas Celebration of Medicare Award from the Association of Ontario Health Centres in 2008.
Allison Fisher’s outstanding leadership and vision has resulted in a number of prominent recognitions. She received the Governor General of Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal (2015); Order of Ontario (2014); DreamKEEPERS Citation for Community Outstanding Leadership (2014); Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013); St. Joseph’s Women ‘s Centre Quality of Life Award (2012); Leading Women, Building Communities Award, Ontario Women’s Directorate (2010); President’s Recognition Award, Quartier Vanier (2010); Marion Dewar Defender of the Public Good Award (2008); and Debut Group of the Year – Women of Wabano Ninth Annual Native American Music Awards (2007).
