CNF Indigenous Award – PhD

I am a Mi’kmaq woman from the West Coast of Newfoundland. My community connection is stronger through my father’s side whose father comes from Flat Bay, NL. Healers and strong L’nu people within my family helped guide me towards a career in nursing. I graduated from the BN program at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Western Regional School of Nursing (WRSON), Grenfell Campus in 2004 becoming the first person in my family to attend and graduate University. In 2008 I began working at WRSON and completed my Masters of Nursing from Athabasca University in 2014. I am now a PhD Candidate in the PhD of Nursing Program at the University of Alberta. My research is focused on co-examining what “heart” means to Mi’kmaw women from the West Coast of Newfoundland. This research is using an Indigenous research methodology grounded in Mi’kmaq community worldview, through an community based approach and Storyworks (J. Archibald). Completing research that keeps community at the center is very important to me as I am part of the community. I am thankful for the supports to be a mother of two children, a wife, a daughter, work full time and complete this important research.