NAABA Member Feature: Medika North

A business rooted in culture, community and healthcare 

Photo above: Medika North provides mobile health care in Indigenous communities and around the region. This mobile COVID medical clinic was built by Medika North during the pandemic, when the hospital was over capacity.

Being passionate about her culture, community and healthcare, Robyn Villebrun’s path with Medika North has been a journey that continues to evolve and grow. This year, Medika North is celebrating eight years in business and five years as a Certified Full Aboriginal Business Member of NAABA. 

In 2016, Robyn founded Medika North with a goal of providing healthcare in a variety of platforms in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region. Their organization offers three core services that reflect Robyn’s passion for Indigenous, community and occupational health: 

1. Occupational Health Testing: Serving clients across Canada, from British Colombia to Newfoundland, Medika North ensures that workers are tested to the highest standards, supporting workforce safety and preventative health measures with drug and alcohol testing, audiometric testing, pulmonary function testing, and many more. 
2. Mobile Health Services: With two mobile units, Medika North brings health services directly to worksites and communities. This includes mobile health clinics and first aid services that can be set up remotely during emergency situations to ensure no one is left without care. 
3. Specialized Health Care Services: Medika North’s most personal offering focuses on delivering culturally sensitive health services to Indigenous communities. 

Robyn’s commitment to cultural competency in Health is priority, and she’s proud of the opportunity Medika North provided to lead in some meaningful projects. One of them being, the first off-site COVID clinic for First Nations communities in Western Canada; including managing a 30-bed isolation Care Centre during the height of the pandemic. 

Born and raised as a proud Dene woman, Robyn strongly believes in the power of Traditional Indigenous Healing Practices, paired alongside Best Practice Standards in the Western Medicine system.

“In my family, women were the healers and helpers, anytime someone was feeling unwell. It was the women in our family that ensured they were getting the help they needed," says says Robyn, a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. "Now, as an Indigenous female business owner, I feel a deep responsibility to serve my people and communities and share my knowledge and experiences to continue to help everyone navigate through the complexities of our health care system."

As an Indigenous entrepreneur, Robyn credits much of her inspiration to her upbringing. Raised by her traditional grandparents in the NWT, she learned early on the importance of home care, medications, and personalized attention. 

“I was always interested in health care, especially in providing the kind of care that was familiar to my grandparents. They used both modern and traditional healing, and I was fascinated by the balance of those worlds,” she says. 

Medika North’s emphasis on supporting Indigenous communities is evident through projects like the Arctic Winter Games in 2023, where Robyn managed the health clinic setup to support 2,500 athletes, or the ongoing work with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. 

Being a strong advocate for Indigenous Peoples throughout her life and career, joining NAABA became a way to build collaboration and gain insight from other Indigenous leaders in their field. As a research-driven person, Robyn wanted to understand how best to support Medika North and its goals. Through NAABA, she found a strong network of Indigenous business owners and leaders who continue to provide invaluable support in her own entrepreneurial journey. 



Looking ahead, Robyn is excited for the future of Medika North and continuing to meet the needs of the region. 

To learn more about Medika North, visit their website at MedikaNorth.com 

Indigenous Business Week Planning Underway

Into it’s third year, NAABA’s Indigenous Business Week 2025 runs from January 27 to 31, 2025, and features free workshops, learning opportunities and networking for entrepreneurs of all business sizes and functions. We’re partnering with experts in their fields to bring topics that will directly benefit our members, while encouraging connections in a relaxed environment. All activities are free for NAABA members and their teams to attend.

Here’s a sneak peek of some of the week’s events, open to all members:

• State of the Organization Address, with Board Chair Sandy Sanderson.
• Billie Fortier, Lawyer and Partner at MLT Aikins: Discussing Indigenous Business Structures - What they are, How they work, and the Pros and Cons of each.
• Speed Networking Member event
• Ladies Luncheon: The Role of Knowledge Sharing in Advancing Women's Careers.
• Professional head shots: Professional Headshots with Nick Vardy of Moccasin Media.
• ATB learning and workshops
• Open House and Artisan Market

More information will be shared in coming weeks with registration details and timing. Watch our social media to stay up to date.

Showcasing NAABA Members through the lens

Photo above: Justin Herman, CEO, Saskana Group, being filmed on location at his Hardin Street office. These spotlight videos create the opportunity for businesses to highlight who they are and the services they provide.

NAABA wants to help Certified Members shine. We’ve partnered with Moccasin Media to highlight member businesses through spotlight video interviews. This comes on the heels of the professional headshot sessions taken for more than 30 members in October - and the work continues.

Does your business or organization have news to share with NAABA members? Please send your Sharing Circle news to communication@naaba.ca to include in future e-newsletters.