Indigenous Initiatives
In December 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission produced its final report into the history and legacy of Canada's residential school system with 94 calls to action.
Several of those calls to action focused on health with one specifically requesting that nursing schools in Canada require all students to take a course dealing with Aboriginal health issues.
To that end, the Faculty of Nursing established an Indigenous initiatives portfolio in 2017 with the intent of integrating Indigenous history into the curriculum, ensuring faculty educators recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and understand Aboriginal rights and educating more Indigenous students.
UCalgary Nursing: Honouring Truth and Reconciliation
UCalgary Nursing honours the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a special event with guests:
Louise Baptiste-Bigchild, Director of Indigenous Initiatives for UCalgary Nursing
Hasimirit Lakhyan, UCalgary Nursing student
Elder Bev Knowlton, Treaty 7
Kalum Teke Dan, Indigenous artist
Women of Song- Pearl White Quills, Deborah Green, Wendy Walker
Dr. Sandra Davidson, Dean of UCalgary Nursing
Wall art creates brave space for Indigenous nursing students
The Gathering Space is meant to be a place for Indigenous nursing students to study, regroup, and connect, and its corner location on the lower level of the Professional Faculties Building is unassuming.
In January 2019, Blackfoot artist Kalum Teke Dan painted a mural that will inspire not only the Indigenous community, but anyone who ventures into the space.
TRC call-to-action a springboard for change
The Faculty of Nursing's path toward Indigenization focuses on cultural safety and helping vulnerable populations. Cultural safety includes practices that recognize and respect the unique cultural identity of Indigenous people.
Indigenous Initiatives Events
Join our FONII Student Leadership Team today!
Are you an undergraduate student who wants to get involved with hosting events on campus, raising awareness through community events and championing our Faculty of Nursing indigenous initiatives? Sign up to be a part of our monthly meetings by emailing Tegen Jones, the group's secretary, today!
Looking for additional resources about attending UCalgary, funding and academic support? Check out Writing Symbols Lodge