Dr. Deb Crowfoot is a First Nations native born and raised in Alberta, Canada. Dr. Crowfoot comes from a progressive family of ten children; all of whom are educated and possess Bachelors of Science, Masters, and Doctorate degrees in education, social work, business administration and medical field (dentistry).
Dr. Crowfoot is the second recorded First Nations Native Doctor in Dentistry to practice in Canada. Dr. Crowfoot completed his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University, in Provo Utah and then finished his doctorate degree from one of the top dental schools in the United States from University of Washington. Dr. Crowfoot’s entrepreneurial spirit was developed at ai1 early age; while attending dental school, he started his own business in painting houses to support his family and his education expenses.
Upon graduation, Dr. Crowfoot relocated to Phoenix Arizona to complete his internship where he used his intuitive entrepreneurial and marketing skills to create a mobile dental practice to serve under-represented areas on the Native American reservations. Dr. Crowfoot desired to always become a dentist and to give back to his community. Later, he relocated back to Alberta, Canada and opened his own private practice on the Siksika Nation reserve.
The success of his dental practice with Siksika Nation has allowed Dr. Crowfoot to develop other dental clinics in the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Dr. Crowfoot’s fulfillment is not in the successful development of his business but in helping to increase his patient’s self-esteem and self-worth, especially when they look in the mirror and smile with confidence and joy. Dr. Crowfoot’s interpersonal and proficient dental skills have created a high demand for his services; consequently, he sees more native children than any other dentist in Canada.
Dr. Crowfoot’s entrepreneurial skill is not limited to dentistry. Dr. Crowfoot established Ultrex Laboratories, manufacturing custom orthopedic inserts. He also opened a dental laboratory, making dental appliances, such as Dentures, crowns and splints. Both businesses are located on the Maskwacis reserve to promote local employment and encourage educational diversities. Dr. Crowfoot’s wife, Lorraine, and their family of seven children come first in his life. Dr. Crowfoot’s life is grounded in his religious values. It’s often been said “It is not his vocation or contribution to society that defines him, but more importantly his calling as a husband, father, and friend that defines him and where he finds tl1e most joy.”