Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott meets with officials in La Ronge. Photo courtesy of Abel Charles.

The federal government will invest $8 million to establish a cross-country mentorship network for First Nations, Metis and Inuit health researchers.

Health Minister Jane Philpott made the announcement today. She says it is one way to address the shortage of Indigenous health professionals in Canada. The goal is to provide healthcare that is more culturally sensitive.

Eight teams will be set up across the country, including one in Saskatchewan.

The teams will provide specially tailored mentoring activities to Indigenous students from the undergraduate level to postdoctoral degrees.