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On April 10, 2025, the Office of Social Accountability in Nursing (OSAN) organized a special hybrid event at the Ingram School of Nursing to celebrate and honour the contributions of Indigenous nurses and culture. Attended by 50 people in person and several more online, including nursing students, faculty, staff, OSAN committee members and Indigenous community partners, the event also honoured the legacy of Edith Anderson Monture, Canada's first Indigenous nurse.Ìý

Guests were treated to catering provided by Messy Kitchen (from Kahnawake) and a market selling crafts produced by Indigenous artists. As well, ISoN librarian Sabine Calleja prepared a display featuring images of the covers of Indigenous health books available at the ´ó·¢²ÊƱƽ̨ library and public libraries, along with QR codes to access the books.

A panel discussion featured Indigenous nurses Glenda Sandy (Naskapi-Cree), Wendy Skye (Kanien'kehà:ka) and Robin Guyer (Kanien'kehà:ka), who discussed their journeys into healthcare, how their cultural identities shape their practice, and the delicate balance between Western medicine and Indigenous healing traditions. Panelists also explored challenges unique to serving their communities while maintaining professional boundaries and self-care.

As Sandy noted, authenticity is important. “"Being able to provide that care when we can be our true selves with the patients... that’s what makes a difference." Guyer maintained that "there's a lot of things where the end should not be objective. It should be like, are we together? And open to what the person needs." For her part, Skye recommended working with what is integral to the person, rather than working around it.

The gathering highlighted the importance of mentorship for Indigenous nursing students and showcased patient stories that demonstrated the power of culturally responsive care. The event started and concluded with powerful words by Otsi'tsaken:ra Charlie Patton, honouring Kanien’kehà:ka knowledge and the ongoing commitment to representation in healthcare and academic spaces.

Reflecting on the insights shared throughout this event, OSAN Director Josée Lavallée said, "The guiding values of giving back, the reciprocity... it's just kind of tapping who we are and how we express ourselves is caring for others."

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Cover photo: Panelists, left to right: Robin Guyer, Wendy Skye, Glenda Sandy, Josée Lavallée

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Guest browse and shop at the Indigenous market featuring crafts by Indigenous artists.

Josée Lavallée (second from right) with students Rebecca Boyer, Erin Patton, Franny Hansen

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