Canada’s first Indigenous forensic pathologist to receive country’s highest civilian honour
Along with Dr. Williams, three other Ontario doctors were appointed to the Order of Canada in June 2026, including:
When Dr. Kona Williams got an email about being appointed to the Order of Canada, her first thought was, "Is this a scam?"
It wasn’t. The governor general made the appointment official in June, citing the renowned forensic pathologist for her leadership in the field and commitment to health equity.
Dr. Williams, who is of Mohawk and Cree descent, practises at Health Sciences North hospital in Sudbury, Ont. She is also Canada’s first Indigenous forensic pathologist.
“The honour was such a surprise,” she told the OMA. “It puts a spotlight on what I do and the work that my colleagues do every single day.”
Dr. Williams says she enjoyed science and problem-solving as a child and this inquisitiveness ultimately led her to forensic pathology — the study of sudden, unexpected or suspicious deaths.
“Is it heavy? Absolutely,” said Dr. Williams. “Are there cases that stay with me? Of course. But the long training was important in giving me the skills and the abilities to be able to handle the work.”
Dr. Williams describes forensic pathologists as a tight-knit community of dedicated and friendly medical professionals.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met an unhappy pathologist,” she laughed.
But don’t expect them to be like what you see on TV. Unlike on CSI, Dr. Williams said forensic pathologists work collaboratively within a big team with coroners, pathologists, radiologists, forensic scientists, anthropologists, legal teams and police services.
The biggest challenge of her career has been understanding the profound responsibility and consequences of her decisions on families and the public.
“It’s the worst thing that’s happening to families, and if I can give them answers, that will help them on their healing journey,” she said.
Dr. Williams is also a sessional lecturer in the forensic program at Laurentian University.
“I love teaching and seeing students have the "aha" moments when they’re putting things together,” she said.
She emphasized that more Indigenous doctors are needed in pathology to bring cultural knowledge and sensitivity to cases involving residential school victims and missing and murdered Indigenous girls and women.
“There aren’t enough Indigenous physicians in general,” she added. “It’s growing, but the need is so great that any Indigenous person who goes to medical school will be helping their own people, regardless of what they do.”
Dr. Ella Proulx is Dr. Williams’ former student and is now completing her residency in pathology.
She described Dr. Williams as an enthusiastic educator who created a welcoming and supportive teaching environment.
“As strange as it might sound to some people, the Sudbury morgue became a safe space for me during medical school,” Dr. Proulx said. “That had nothing to do with the setting itself and everything to do with the culture Kona and her team created.”
She’s also inspired by the life Dr. Williams has built around her career.
“Watching her has shown me that it’s possible to be deeply committed to your work while also cultivating a rich, fulfilling life outside the hospital,” she said.
Keeping busy outside of work, Dr. Williams said, helps her maintain a balanced and rewarding life.
“You see death all day long, but then I come home and I’ve got gardens, a farmhouse on 100 acres, chickens, dogs — everything is just exploding with life,” she said.
Dr. Williams is currently pursuing an MBA at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto. As for what’s next in her career, she’s open to whatever comes her way.
“I’m one of those endless opportunists. I’m not quitting my day job because I love what I do, but maybe I’ll start up a consulting company to help other people,” she said.