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On June 19, the Siksika Nation, east of Calgary, hosted an event to celebrate the first Bachelor of Nursing (BN) graduates from Old Sun Community College, delivered in partnership with the under the Rural and Indigenous Route Program.

Attendees included Provost Sandra Davidson (centre), and several of the Faculty of Nursing’s leadership team: Dr. Michelle Scott Paul, EdD'23 (right of Davidson), associate dean Indigenous Education, and Dr. Zahra Shajani, BN'02, EdD (right), associate dean (Undergraduate). Davidson oversaw implementation of the partnership with Old Sun Community College in her previous role as Nursing's dean. Health Canada Chief Nursing Officer Dr. Leigh Chapman, PhD, spoke via a prerecorded message at the gathering.

Elder Herman Yellow Old Woman from the Siksika Nation named the program iiyikinaami, meaning Spirit Helper, someone to call on when sick or in need.

During her address, Davidson spoke to the new nurses, noting that as a nurse you will always learn: “It’s a profession that demands a lot, and gives back so much more. We’re behind you wherever your path takes you.”

The first graduating class are Kimberly Hardy, Valene Bear Chief, Erica Sitting Eagle, Jazzlyn Maguire, Rhiannon Kennard and Harmony McDonald. Valene and Jazzlyn are sisters.

Jazzlyn was driven to become a nurse by seeing a need for culturally safe care and awareness of health insecurity in Indigenous communities. She is pictured here receiving her ceremonial blanket, while Debbie Smith, BN'94, co-ordinator of the iiyikinaami program, watches from the left.

Valene, a mother of four, was a licensed practice nurse before commencing her BN course, settling on the offering at Old Sun Community College because she could make a positive contribution to her community, one of her core values.

Keynote speaker Jenny Goodin, a former community nurse at Siksika and member of the band council, reflected on her extensive professional experience. Both she and Smith spoke about their difficulties travelling to Calgary for post-secondary education, difficulties that have been reduced for current nursing students through the partnership between the 91�������� and Old Sun Community College. Smith also spoke about the significance of Indigenous perspectives on health as a foundation of the program, highlighting how the partnership recognizes and integrates Indigenous ways of knowing and community-informed approaches to health, helping shape the education of future nurses.

Traditional dancers, including UCalgary Nursing student Samantha Sleigh, honoured the students and their families as they gathered to celebrate the graduates' hard work, dedication, and achievements.

All photos by Adrian Shellard.