Nurses Association of New Brunswick CNA Centennial Award

I grew up in the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation in New Brunswick and I always had an interest in healthcare. While I was pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Moncton, I did research work that gave me the opportunity of seeing nurses at work. I readily fell in love with this profession and I redirected my studies toward nursing.

I completed my BScN in May 2016 and was recently registered last June. I decided to move on to graduate studies right away. I am entering the Masters of Nursing program at the University of Ottawa in September.

My indigenous roots are a constant source of inspiration, which led me to do my preceptorship within a remote community in Northern Manitoba. As I am highly aware of the healthcare needs of Canada’s indigenous peoples, it is very important for me to orient my master’s research toward this population.

For the past few years, I have been involved within my community and with various associations such as the Nurses Association of New Brunswick (NANB), the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association (CINA) and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). I was also privileged to take part in the “One Million in One Year for Indigenous Nursing Education & Research” fundraising campaign of the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF).