CINA/CNF Indigenous Award

My name is Tilka Chapman and I grew up on a farm near a small town in Saskatchewan. I am a second-year Nursing Student at Mount Royal University in Calgary. For the summer, I am working as the Manager at the swimming pool in my hometown. I spend a lot of my free time coaching tackle football and playing music. In my hometown, I have worked on many projects to contribute to the community’s well-being, such as creating a Mental Health Minutes initiative at my high school, being a student representative on our School Community Council, becoming a youth representative on the Tisdale Suicide Awareness Committee, creating a Northeast Female Football program and running player development camps, as well as volunteering at several other events. After graduating from the nursing program, I would like to become a travel nurse to explore the world and other cultures. Another field of nursing I hope to experience is Pediatrics. Eventually, I would love to travel to Northern Indigenous communities and become an advocate for these communities while learning about my heritage. Last but not least, I would also love to use my career to elevate my efforts in suicide prevention and mental health initiatives. This scholarship from CNF allows me to focus my attention on academic success during the school year and follow my dreams of becoming a nurse.