Indigenous Services Canada Northern Nurse Practitioner Award

My name is Samantha Baskin, and I am a proud Métis citizen living on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc people in British Columbia. Growing up in this region, I was impacted by the social and health disparities that persist among Indigenous communities. These inequities were not just statistics; I witnessed them firsthand in the lives of my family, friends, and community. This early exposure has shaped my values and commitment to health equity, ultimately guiding me toward a career in nursing. 

After graduating from high school, pursuing a career in nursing felt like a natural choice. However, it wasn’t until I completed my undergraduate degree and began practicing as a Registered Nurse that I understood the depth, responsibility, and transformative power of the profession. Working closely with patients during some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives reaffirmed my passion for compassionate, person-centered care. Yet, I also began to see the limitations of acute care settings in addressing long-standing, systemic issues that lead to preventable hospitalizations, particularly within Indigenous populations. 

This has inspired me to advance my education and become a Nurse Practitioner. In this role, I will be equipped to provide comprehensive, culturally safe, and equitable primary care services that focus not only on treatment but on prevention and health promotion. My goal is to be a trusted health advocate within my community, using my expanded scope of practice to help close the health gap and contribute to a more just and inclusive healthcare system.