TD Aboriginal Nursing Fund Award – Baccalaureate

I am from Nanaimo, BC. I am currently attending BCIT’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Burnaby, BC. I found my passion for taking care of others at a young age. I was interested in the health care field, but I did not have any of the prerequisites that the schools required. Finally, I decided that I wouldn’t let that stop me and began to upgrade.

Being Aboriginal, I have seen the effects of social determinants of health and I want to make a difference. I want to be a role model and a leader. I have one year left in school and upon graduation, my goal is to become a community health nurse (ideally in a First Nations community). I owe my drive and compassion to my mother Helen Collier, and I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support of my family and the Hupacasath First Nations and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. Finally, I would like to say thank you to TD and the CNF for the recognition! I am honoured and I encourage anyone who has a dream to never give up.