Darcy Tailfeathers’ enduring medical legacy

Ashley Turner, recipient of the Darcy Tailfeathers Memorial Award (Photo: Supplied)

Medical student Ashley Turner only has a few minutes to talk during a brief window of downtime. She can’t remember the last time she had a free evening between school, volunteering, hospital rotations, taking care of her family, advocating for the Indigenous community, and her responsibilities as president of the Indigenous Medical and Dental Students’ Association (IMDSA).

But she makes a point of taking time to share her story as a recipient of the Darcy Tailfeathers Memorial Award. Because, for Turner, this scholarship is more than financial support — it’s a lifeline that connects her to a profound legacy of resilience, community and hope.

“This award was named after someone who paved the way for Indigenous students getting into medicine. It validates all the work I’ve done with IMDSA, and how I’m using my voice to better the system,” says Turner. “It’s these kinds of awards that make everything worth it, knowing that you’re making an impact in the community.”

Scholarships like the Tailfeathers Award create transformative pathways for students like Turner to achieve their dreams at the University of Alberta. Even more students will have access to scholarships, awards and bursaries thanks to Shape the Future, a fundraising campaign dedicated to student success by enhancing financial support for experiential learning, student spaces, and access and affordability.

Students, like Turner, who receive the award are carrying forward a legacy that goes back four decades.

In the mid-’80s, Darcy Tailfeathers became the first First Nations student to attend the University of Alberta medical school. Tailfeathers was already a role model on the Blood Tribe Reserve as an outstanding student and a standout hockey player for two years at Brigham Young University in Utah. Despite originally planning to be an accountant, he found his true calling in medicine, with dreams of becoming a surgeon serving his community.

But in 1987 – as Tailfeathers was just a year away from beginning his medical residency – he died in a car crash. A life brimming with promise that was tragically cut short.

His widow, Lorie Tailfeathers-Bracko, says it was a miracle that he was able to balance his schooling and family life while raising three young children under the age of six with his wife. “He always had such a positive attitude about higher education and was a natural mentor for any schooling, not just for Indigenous medical students.”

His parents, Lester and Virginia Tailfeathers, chose to transform the loss into an opportunity for other Indigenous students. In 1989, they established the Darcy Tailfeathers Memorial Award, ensuring their son’s vision would continue to inspire future generations of medical professionals.

Since its inception, the award has supported 63 Indigenous students as part of the Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program that has graduated numerous Indigenous medical professionals who are now serving their communities.

John Brisebois, ’93 MD, the first First Nations graduate from the medical school, understands this impact intimately. As a student, he received the award two times between 1990 and 1992. Now an emergency doctor in Ottawa, he remembers the emotional connection of receiving the award directly from the Tailfeathers family.

“It’s been 30 years since I received the award, but I still recall meeting Darcy’s parents, Lester and Virginia,” says Brisebois. “They were very happy to honour Darcy’s name by encouraging Indigenous students to graduate from medical school.”

For Jared Tailfeathers, Darcy’s son, the award has been a lifelong connection to his father. Growing up, he recalls watching as traditional blankets were gifted to award recipients. Seeing firsthand how his father’s legacy continued to inspire young Indigenous students to pursue higher education brought to life the impact of the award.

“This was always a chance for me to see how my dad’s award helped these students become who they are,” Jared says. “Seeing how he’s influenced other Indigenous medical students was probably his biggest legacy, besides his family.”

Turner’s journey exemplifies the award’s profound impact. As the first in her family to attend university, she faces significant challenges: supporting family members struggling with health issues, while balancing academic pressures with community advocacy. The award allows her to be present for her family while pursuing her medical education, a privilege she never takes for granted.

"Awards like this really drive you," Turner explains. "They put a fire in you to keep going, knowing you’re making an impact." Her advocacy work with Indigenous medical student organizations goes beyond personal achievement. She sees herself as part of a generation committed to transforming healthcare, breaking down systemic barriers, and creating meaningful change.

As Turner looks to the future, she carries with her the spirit of Darcy Tailfeathers: a commitment to community, a passion for healing, and an unwavering belief in the potential of Indigenous students. “I feel the drive to advocate,” she says, “and seeing that being reciprocated in this award is incredible.”

The Darcy Tailfeathers Memorial Award does more than provide financial support. It represents hope, recognition, and a continued commitment to Indigenous representation in medicine. It tells students like Turner that their dreams matter, that their communities support them, and that they have the power to create lasting change.

Donors who fund this award, and other student awards through Shape the Future, are truly creating more than a scholarship. This is an investment in individual dreams, community healing, and a more inclusive future of healthcare.

By supporting the Darcy Tailfeathers Memorial Award Fund, you can directly contribute to health sciences learning and help propel groundbreaking discoveries beyond the labs, empowering students and researchers to improve lives and create lasting impact in healthcare.