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Evan Adams

Evan Adams is a Coast Salish physician and former actor from the Tla'amin First Nation near Powell River, British Columbia, noted for his leadership in Indigenous health administration and his portrayal of Thomas Builds-the-Fire in the 1998 film Smoke Signals.^[1]^[2]
After earning his medical degree from the University of Calgary in 2002 and completing a residency in family medicine with a focus on Aboriginal practice, Adams advanced to key public health roles, including Deputy Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia from 2012 to 2014.^[3]^[4]
He served as Chief Medical Officer of the First Nations Health Authority from 2014 to 2020, where he contributed to initiatives addressing addiction and harm reduction in Indigenous communities, before taking on deputy chief medical officer positions with the First Nations Health Authority and Indigenous Services Canada.^[5]^[6]^[7]
Adams received a national award in 2014 for his work advancing Indigenous health outcomes, emphasizing systemic factors in public health challenges.^[8]^[9]

Early life and education

Family background and upbringing

Evan Adams was born on November 15, 1966, on the Sliammon Reserve in British Columbia, Canada, and is a member of the Tla'amin (formerly Sliammon) First Nation, part of the Coast Salish peoples.^[10] His parents met while attending residential school, an institution central to the historical assimilation policies affecting Indigenous families in Canada.^[8] His father, Tlesla Leslie Adams, played a significant role in his early development.^[11] Adams' upbringing emphasized resilience and self-reliance, shaped by his father's rigorous teachings on survival skills in the wilderness near Powell River. Tlesla Adams instructed him in gathering food, constructing shelters, and navigating harsh conditions, where errors like improper boat handling or failed fishing could have life-threatening consequences.^[12] These experiences, including instances where his father dropped him off at locations like Wildwood and required him to run home to the reserve, instilled a strong work ethic that later made formal schooling comparatively straightforward.^[11]^[12] The family environment prioritized education and service to others, influencing Adams' career path; his siblings pursued professions similarly oriented toward helping people, reinforcing a collective commitment to community welfare.^[8] This background, rooted in both traditional Indigenous practices and the intergenerational effects of colonial policies, informed his later advocacy for holistic health approaches.^[8]

Academic and professional training

Adams initially enrolled at McGill University but abandoned his studies there to pursue acting training in Vancouver.^[13] After establishing an acting career, he completed three years of pre-medical studies at the University of British Columbia.^[14] In May 2002, Adams received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Calgary.^[15] He subsequently completed a residency in Aboriginal Family Practice at St. Paul's Hospital through the University of British Columbia, during which he served as the first Aboriginal Health Physician Advisor to the British Columbia government.^[16]^[17] In 2009, Adams earned a Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University, focusing on international public health.^[17]^[18] This advanced training complemented his clinical residency and positioned him for leadership roles in Indigenous health policy and administration.^[3]

Entertainment career

Acting achievements

Adams first gained prominence in Canadian television during the late 1980s and early 1990s, appearing in episodic roles on series such as The Beachcombers and Neon Rider, as well as the Emmy-winning TV movie Lost in the Barrens (1990), where he portrayed a key character in a survival drama set in the Canadian wilderness.^[19]^[8] He followed this with the sequel Curse of the Viking Grave (1993), earning a nomination for his continued performance.^[19] His breakthrough came with the role of Thomas Builds-the-Fire in the 1998 independent film Smoke Signals, directed by Chris Eyre, where he played a storytelling Native American navigating personal and cultural tensions on a road trip; the film received critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of contemporary Indigenous life and won the Audience Award and Filmmakers Trophy at the Sundance Film Festival.^[20] For this debut feature performance, Adams received the Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance in 1999, along with Best Actor honors from the American Indian Film Festival and First Americans in the Arts.^[21]^[22] Subsequent television work included recurring appearances on Da Vinci's Inquest and These Arms of Mine, showcasing his versatility in dramatic roles often centered on social issues.^[19] In later years, he returned to film with supporting parts in Indigenous-themed projects such as Indian Horse (2017), an adaptation of Richard Wagamese's novel about residential school survivors, and Kayak to Klemtu (2017), a youth adventure film promoting environmental stewardship.^[23] These roles highlighted his commitment to narratives amplifying First Nations voices, though his acting output diminished as he pursued medical training.^[19]

Playwriting and literary contributions

Evan Adams has authored several plays that address themes central to Indigenous life, including family dynamics, health crises, and cultural identity, often drawing from his Coast Salish background and experiences in First Nations communities. His works have been staged across Canada and internationally, contributing to Indigenous theatre by blending personal narratives with broader social issues.^[10] Among his notable plays is Snapshots, which examines how two Indigenous families confront illness and death, incorporating elements of humor and resilience amid tragedy. Adams developed Snapshots specifically to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in Native communities, using it as an educational tool during outreach efforts on reserves and in urban settings. The play reflects his dual perspective as an actor and advocate, emphasizing storytelling as a means to foster dialogue on stigmatized health topics without overt didacticism.^[24]^[25] Adams co-authored Dirty Dog River with Marie Clements, another prominent Indigenous playwright, further extending his literary output into collaborative explorations of contemporary First Nations realities. Other works include Dreams of Sheep and Janice's Christmas, which similarly probe interpersonal relationships and seasonal or dream-like motifs within Indigenous contexts, though specific production details for these remain less documented in available records. His playwriting underscores a commitment to authentic representation, prioritizing lived experiences over abstracted generalizations, and has influenced discussions on health equity in theatre.^[26]^[10]

Medical career

Clinical practice and specialization

Adams earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Calgary in 2002.^[4] He then completed a residency in the Aboriginal Family Practice program at St. Paul's Hospital and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, serving as chief resident.^[27]^[28] This specialized training focused on family medicine adapted to Indigenous contexts, incorporating cultural safety, community engagement, and addressing disparities in primary care for First Nations patients, including management of chronic conditions, preventive health, and integration of traditional healing practices.^[3] As a family physician, Adams has applied this specialization in clinical settings serving Indigenous communities, emphasizing holistic care that accounts for social determinants of health such as intergenerational trauma and access barriers.^[17] His practice aligns with the unique needs of Coast Salish and other First Nations populations, informed by his own Tla'amin heritage near Powell River, British Columbia.^[4] Early in his career, post-residency, he engaged in direct patient care within British Columbia's health system, including roles that bridged clinical service and advisory work for Aboriginal health initiatives.^[29] Adams's clinical approach prioritizes evidence-based family medicine while advocating for culturally congruent delivery, as evidenced by his contributions to educational resources on Indigenous patient care, such as videos produced for Vancouver Coastal Health on cultural competency in clinical encounters.^[30] This reflects a practice model that combines standard primary care protocols with tailored interventions for Indigenous-specific health challenges, though detailed records of his patient volume or specific clinics remain limited in public sources due to his concurrent administrative commitments.^[7]

Leadership and administrative roles

Adams served as the Aboriginal Health Physician Advisor in the Office of the Provincial Health Officer for the British Columbia Ministry of Health from 2007 to 2012, becoming the first individual in this role to advise on policies affecting First Nations health.^[3] In March 2012, he was appointed Deputy Provincial Health Officer with a focus on Aboriginal health, a position he held until 2014, where he contributed to provincial health strategies integrating indigenous perspectives.^[31]^[4] From October 2014 to 2020, Adams held the position of Chief Medical Officer at the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), the first health authority in Canada operated by and for First Nations, providing strategic leadership on clinical services, public health, and partnerships with provincial governments to address determinants of indigenous health outcomes.^[32]^[4]^[7] In this capacity, he represented FNHA in negotiations and collaborated on initiatives like culturally safe care models, emphasizing evidence-based improvements in areas such as chronic disease management and mental health.^[32] Following his tenure as CMO, Adams transitioned to Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Public Health in the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Indigenous Services Canada, overseeing national policy development for indigenous health services.^[33] In March 2023, he returned to FNHA on a part-time basis as Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Public Health, co-leading the Office of the Chief Medical Officer alongside colleagues to support ongoing public health responses and health equity efforts.^[5] Additionally, he has directed the Division of Aboriginal People's Health, focusing on training and integration of indigenous health expertise into medical education.^[18]

Advocacy and public positions

Contributions to indigenous health policy

Evan Adams served as the inaugural Aboriginal Health Physician Advisor in the Office of the Provincial Health Officer for the British Columbia Ministry of Health from 2007 to 2012, where he provided expert guidance on policies aimed at enhancing health outcomes for Indigenous populations.^[17] In this role, he focused on integrating Indigenous perspectives into provincial health strategies, addressing disparities through targeted advisory input to government decision-makers.^[27] From 2012 to 2014, Adams acted as Deputy Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia, offering independent direction on First Nations and Aboriginal health matters to the Ministry of Health and collaborating with officials such as Dr. Perry Kendall and Dr. Eric Young.^[27]^[17] This position enabled him to influence public health policies, emphasizing improvements in First Nations wellness and system-wide integration of culturally appropriate care.^[27] As Chief Medical Officer of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) from 2014 to 2020, Adams led efforts to develop a distinct health care model for First Nations communities, driving system transformation initiatives and advancing community-generated wellness directives into policy frameworks.^[17]^[27] He prioritized public health leadership, including expansions in HIV/AIDS education and substance abuse treatment programs tailored to Indigenous needs.^[33] In 2023, he returned to the FNHA as part-time Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Public Health, co-leading the Office of the Chief Medical Officer to promote cultural safety, partner with governments on equity-focused reforms, and address systemic issues like racism in health delivery.^[5] These roles have contributed to broader policy shifts toward Indigenous-led health governance in British Columbia, including the FNHA's emphasis on trauma-informed and culturally humble practices.^[34]

Views on intergenerational trauma and addiction

Adams has described intergenerational trauma as a psychic wound resulting from experiences of historic oppression, such as residential schools and colonization, which is transmitted across generations within families and manifests in delayed health-seeking behaviors and distrust of medical systems among Indigenous patients.^[35] He argues that healthcare providers must recognize this trauma to improve treatment adherence, as unaddressed expectations of systemic harm lead to incomplete therapies, such as unfinished antibiotic courses, and overall poorer outcomes.^[35] In addressing addiction, Adams promotes trauma-informed practice for substance-use treatment, viewing psychological trauma from intergenerational sources as a primary driver of substance use as a maladaptive coping mechanism.^[36] This approach emphasizes creating environments of safety, trust, and cultural inclusion, reframing patient "non-compliance" as trauma responses rather than moral failings, and integrating harm reduction strategies to prioritize holistic healing of mind, body, and spirit.^[36] Adams frames addiction itself as a health and social issue rather than a moral one, advocating compassion over stigma to encourage help-seeking and reduce overdose deaths, with harm reduction—such as minimizing risks from drug use—serving as a pragmatic interim step toward eventual cessation.^[37]^[38] In his 2025 docuseries The Conversation, he explores these connections through Indigenous recovery stories, attributing elevated addiction rates—such as First Nations individuals in British Columbia being six times more likely to die from drug toxicity in 2023—to systemic colonialism and unresolved family traumas.^[9]

Personal life

Identity and relationships

Evan Adams is a member of the Tla'amin First Nation (formerly known as Sliammon), with Coast Salish ancestry originating near Powell River, British Columbia.^[27]^[6] His Indigenous identity, rooted in traditional practices such as clam digging and resilience taught by his father, shapes his personal values and family life.^[11]^[39] Adams identifies as gay and is married to his husband, Allan.^[40] Together, they are parents to six children, emphasizing cultural pride and perseverance in child-rearing.^[40]^[39] Adams has described fatherhood as "holy work" within his community's traditions, modeling the strength he learned from his own upbringing.^[39] He maintains a degree of privacy regarding family details, focusing public discussions on broader themes of healing and relationships.^[41]

Recent professional developments

In March 2023, Adams returned to the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) as part-time Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Public Health, effective March 20, to co-lead the Office of the Chief Medical Officer alongside Drs. Nel Wieman and Kelsey Louie, with a focus on strengthening public health functions, representing FNHA at conferences, and advancing health equity for British Columbia First Nations.^[5] In October 2023, he was appointed Acting Associate Dean of Indigenous Health at Simon Fraser University's School of Medicine, allocating half his time to this role in parallel with his FNHA duties, emphasizing integration of Indigenous perspectives into medical training.^[6]^[42] Adams holds a 2024–25 Canadian Harkness Fellowship in Health Care Policy and Practice, sponsored by the Commonwealth Fund, during which he has examined Indigenous health policy innovations, including time as a fellow in Honolulu, Hawaii.^[4] On June 9, 2025, the National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education (NCIME) announced Adams' appointment to lead its Phase II assessment initiatives in medical education, leveraging his public health expertise and prior service on NCIME's inaugural executive committee.^[43]

References

[1]
Evan Adams was one of the stars of 'Smoke Signals' now guess ...
Jul 28, 2015 · Evan Adams is best known for his work in the film 'Smoke Signals' alongside Adam Beach. Now he's the Chief Medical Officer for the First ...
[2]
A talk story discussion on Indigenous Public Health with Dr. Evan ...
Mar 11, 2024 · Evan Tlesla Adams is a Coast Salish physician from Tla'amin First Nation near Powell River, BC, Canada. Dr. Adams completed his Medical ...Missing: achievements controversies
[3]
Native American Health Seminar (Dr. Evan Adams) - NNACoE
Aside from his career in the arts, Evan has completed a Medical Doctorate from the University of Calgary in 2002, and a residency in the Aboriginal Family ...Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
[4]
Evan Adams | Commonwealth Fund
Adams was the Deputy Provincial Health Officer for B.C. (2012–2014), the Chief Medical Officer of the First Nations Health Authority (2014–2020), and the Deputy ...
[5]
Office of the Chief Medical Officer Welcomes Back Dr. Evan Adams
Mar 14, 2023 · Dr. Evan Adams will return as part-time Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Public Health, to co-lead the OCMO with Dr. Wieman and Dr. Kelsey Louie.
[6]
Dr. Evan Adams on supporting Indigenous research talent
Sep 23, 2024 · Dr. Evan Adams. Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Indigenous Services Canada; Deputy Provincial Health Officer; Chief Medical Officer, First Nations ...
[7]
Dr Evan Adams new chief medical officer
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has selected Dr Evan Adams as chief medical officer following a Canada-wide search. Dr Adams was born and raised in BC ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[8]
Dr. Evan Adams garners national award for work in indigenous health
Mar 21, 2014 · Dr. Evan Adams began his professional life as an actor, known for his 1998 role as Thomas Builds-the-fire in the feature-film 'Smoke Signals.'Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
[9]
Dr. Evan Adams sheds understanding on systemic roots of addiction ...
May 23, 2025 · Malcolm (right) tells Dr. Adams how he freed himself from drugs and alcohol by coming to terms with intergenerational trauma.
[10]
Spotlight: Evan Adams - British Columbia Magazine
Nov 19, 2017 · Evan Tlesla Adams was born Nov. 15, 1966, and is part of the Sliammon First Nation near Powell River, BC. Adams is known internationally for his work in movies ...
[11]
"There's so much good to do" - Issuu
Instead, Tlesla Leslie Adams often dropped Evan off in Wildwood and made him run back to their home on what was then the Sliammon Indian Reservation – now Tla' ...
[12]
Native actor and doctor takes on new role championing health in B.C.
Apr 16, 2012 · Adams is a member of the Sliammon First Nation, which is outside Powell River on the Sunshine Coast. He said his father taught him to work hard ...
[13]
[PDF] Back from Hollywood, stethoscope in hand - CMAJ
Adams abandoned his studies at McGill and returned to Vancouver to study acting, and worked in numerous screen roles. He starred in 2 telefilms based on books ...Missing: theater | Show results with:theater<|control11|><|separator|>
[14]
EVAN ADAMS - Bones of Crows
Aside from his career in the arts, Evan has completed 3 years of pre-med studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC), a Medical Doctorate from the ...
[15]
Dr Evan Adams - Evan Adams, Motivational Speaker
Evan Adams is an Indigenous actor and physician with many years of experience as a motivational speaker to communities and institutions.Missing: upbringing | Show results with:upbringing
[16]
Come and Meet Our New Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Evan Adams
Apr 15, 2015 · Dr. Evan Tlesla II Adams is a Coast Salish physician and actor from the Sliammon Band near Powell River, BC, Canada. He stars in the Emmy- ...Missing: parents | Show results with:parents
[17]
Dr. Evan Adams - FAFM-FAMF
Since 2014 Dr. Adams has been Chief Medical Officer with the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia; in this capacity he works closely with ...
[18]
Evan Adams - Indigenous physician & actor based in British Columbia.
Education ; The Johns Hopkins University. Masters of Public Health International Public Health/International Health ; University of Calgary. Doctor of Medicine - ...
[19]
Evan Adams - IMDb
Evan Adams is from Tla'amin Nation, near the town of Powell River, BC, Canada. He stars in the Emmy-winning TV-movie Lost in the Barrens (1990)Missing: upbringing | Show results with:upbringing
[20]
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120321/
[21]
Evan Adams - Awards - IMDb
Evan Adams ; Film Independent Spirit Awards · 1999 Winner Independent Spirit Award ; L.A. Outfest · 2002 Winner Grand Jury Award ; First Americans in the Arts Awards.
[22]
Dr. Evan Adams - Canadian Council for Indigenous Business
He also won Best Actor awards from the American Indian Film Festival, & from First Americans in the Arts, & a 1999 Independent Spirit Award for 'Best Debut ...
[23]
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5672286/
[24]
FILM; Able to Laugh at Their People, Not Just Cry for Them
Jun 21, 1998 · ... play he wrote, ''Snapshots,'' about how two Indian families deal with illness and death. He described his swings from one world to the other ...
[25]
Interview with Evan Adams - The ArQuives Digital Exhibitions
He also discusses his play, Snapshots, and using it to educate Native communities about HIV/AIDS, his work with AIDS education outreach on reserves and in ...
[26]
Indigenous Body Of Work
The Indigenous Body of Work is a living document that highlights the incredible breadth of work – published play scripts and live productions of dance, music, ...Missing: literary | Show results with:literary
[27]
Evan Adams - Faculty of Health Sciences - Simon Fraser University
Adams likes to keep his family close, including his five sons and step-daughter, and honours his family. He is a marathon runner and is beginning to add ...Missing: background upbringing
[28]
Evan Adams, Deputy Chief Medical Officer - eMedEvents
Dr. Adams completed his Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the University of Calgary, his Aboriginal Family Practice residency at St Paul's Hospital/UBC (as Chief ...Missing: specialization | Show results with:specialization
[29]
True reconciliation - PMC - NIH
In 2012 the Government of British Columbia appointed Dr Evan Adams, a Coast Salish family physician, Deputy Provincial Health Officer for Aboriginal Health ...
[30]
VCH Cultural Competency | Patient Care Quality Office - YouTube
Oct 22, 2013 · Dr. E online shares important Aboriginal health information and follows Dr. Evan Adams ... Patient Care Quality Video" -- First Nations in ...
[31]
Dr. Evan Adams named Deputy PHO for Aboriginal health
Mar 30, 2012 · Aboriginal Health Physician Advisor Dr. Evan Adams has been appointed Deputy Provincial Health Officer, announced Minister of Health Michael de Jong.Missing: MD | Show results with:MD<|separator|>
[32]
FNHA Announces Dr. Evan Adams as New Chief Medical Officer
Oct 30, 2014 · In his role as CMO, Dr. Adams will provide invaluable leadership representing the FNHA while working alongside government partners on health ...
[33]
Dr. Evan Adams, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Public Health in the ...
Nov 17, 2021 · Adams has been Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Public Health in the First Nation and Inuit Health Branch in British Columbia. He has worked ...
[34]
Cultural Safety and Humility - First Nations Health Authority
This report aims to guide health service organizations in implementing culturally safe and trauma-informed care. It is an example of a novel, community-driven ...
[35]
Health system should recognize intergenerational trauma, expert says
Jan 4, 2017 · A leading authority on First Nations health is calling on healthcare practitioners to recognize intergenerational trauma when treating Indigenous patients.
[36]
Trauma-Informed Approaches for Substance-Use Treatment
Nov 19, 2015 · In recognizing NAAW we would like to share an article on behalf of FNHA's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Evan Adams on Trauma-Informed Approaches for ...
[37]
Drug Use is a Health Issue, Not a Moral Issue
We can all help prevent overdose deaths and help those who have lost loved ones to overdose deaths. by Dr. Evan Adams, CMO, FNHA.
[38]
Embracing the Grey Area: Harm Reduction in a Community Context
Dec 28, 2016 · Evan Adams- “Harm reduction seeks to minimize the chances for danger ... As we do the hard work to bring painful childhood and intergenerational ...
[39]
Being a father is holy work - First Nations Health Authority
Evan Adams, FNHA Chief Medical Officer ... We try and show them what being proud and resilient looks like, just like I was taught by my own father ...Missing: personal | Show results with:personal
[40]
Associate dean of Indigenous Health at SFU medical school focused ...
Oct 3, 2023 · Evan Adams, visiting professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer at First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) ...Missing: physician training<|separator|>
[41]
Smoke Signals actor, Evan Adams, talks relationships and healing ...
Apr 9, 2018 · The incomparable Evan Adams sharing his unique story of transitioning between acting & medicine, all while maintaining his Indigenous roots.
[42]
Simon Fraser University on X: "Meet Dr. Evan Adams, the new ...
Oct 3, 2023 · Meet Dr. Evan Adams, the new associate dean of Indigenous Health at the #SFU medical school. He has done everything from being a doctor and ...
[43]
Press Release - June 9, 2025 - National Circle for Indigenous ...
Jun 9, 2025 · Dr. Evan Adams will lead NCIME's work in assessment within medical education. A renowned Coast Salish physician from the Tla'amin First Nation ...