Partnering with Indigenous communities for better nursing education and understanding

In 2017, in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to action for Canadian nursing schools, UCalgary Nursing launched the Indigenous Initiatives portfolio. Thanks to generous funding from an anonymous donor, the program has been dedicated to increasing enrolment and support for Indigenous students, integrating Indigenous history into the curriculum and supporting development of collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities.

“Relationship-building has been key to the success of the Initiative over the past three years,” says Louise Baptiste, director, UCalgary Nursing Indigenous Initiatives. “I have been connecting with Indigenous populations inside and outside Calgary to find out what they would like to see for nursing students: how we can better support our First Nations, Métis and Inuit students and ways we can make the program more culturally appropriate.

“Moving forward we hope to support an ‘elder-in-residence’ and, in general, build on the created momentum.”

A successful student group has mentored peers and potential new undergraduates, facilitated blanket exercises and developed a keener understanding of holistic ways of knowing and connecting.

“As a First Nations student, I was excited to be able to learn so much about Indigenous culture and to be in a nursing program that supported that learning,” says nursing student Danielle Anderson.

“It is a very important benefit to my nursing career to be able to work culturally safe with Indigenous people. I have a new respect for the people of Treaty 7 and an increased knowledge and awareness of integral relationships with the land and others.”