Picture of  Neal Kewistep

Neal Kewistep MPA, BA Executive-in-Residence, U of S

Executive-in-Residence, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy; Board Member, Yellow Quill Holdings; and Former Interim Director, Population Public Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority

Address
147-101 Diefenbaker Place

Areas of Interest

  • Indigenous governance and leadership
  • Indigenous health and communities
  • Public administration
  • Health care systems

Neal Kewistep has spent most of his career fostering relationships with government, community-based organizations, Indigenous organizations and educators. As the former Interim Director of the Population Public Health (PPH) in the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), his leadership led to increasing the infant and childhood immunization rates to close the gap between the most affluent neighbourhoods and the inner city neighbourhoods, and to addressing safe housing issues in a new way within the scope of the Public Health Act. He was also the strategic lead for cultural competency and Truth and Reconciliation Commission activities for PPH, which was a role he was proud to take on.

In addition to his time with the provincial health authority, Mr. Kewistep has served as the Director of Operations for the Native Counselling Services of Alberta, as a Community Development Advisor with Yellow Quill First Nation, and has provided consulting services to the Saskatoon Tribal Council and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. He has also served as a board member on the Good Food Junction and the Speakerbox Aboriginal Advisory Group, as an advisory committee member for the Saskatoon Community Foundation and the Saskatoon Urban Aboriginal Strategy. In 2017, CBC awarded Mr. Kewistep as one of its “Future 40 under 40” for his work in leading change within the health care system.

Neal Kewistep holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School and a bachelor’s degree in Indigenous Studies from the First Nations University of Canada. In addition to his formal education, he counts his traditional training from elders as being just as relevant in teaching him the role of a servant leader. He is currently an executive-in-residence with Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.