Celebrating our First Graduates in Northern Saskatchewan

Adding to this excitement is the fact, in Northern Saskatchewan these are the first students to complete a degree nursing program in La Ronge and Ile-a-la-Crosse. Prior to the start of this program in 2012, these students would have had to leave their community to take their nursing education in Saskatoon, Regina or Prince Albert.

At the La Ronge Hotel & Suites on May 8th, we joined together to celebrate this milestone with our students, alumni, staff, community partners and friends of the College. Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson began the event with a prayer and message from her Band, Mayor Thomas Sierzycki proudly congratulated graduates on behalf of the community, Saskatoon Greystone MLA Rob Norris congratulated the graduates on behalf of the Ministry of Advanced Education and MLA Doyle Vermette spoke about the significance of this milestone for the Cumberland constituency. Guy Penney, Director of Academic Programming, brought greetings on behalf of Northlands College and Andrew McLetchie, CEO of the Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region, spoke about the importance of educating nurses in the community.

“We are celebrating graduates who may not have completed their nursing degree if we did not offer our program in La Ronge,” said College of Nursing Dean Dr. Lorna Butler. “The pursuit of post-secondary education should not be disadvantaged by geography and although the program was new, we were using innovative technology not previously used in education, it was the first time we had connected faculty from Saskatoon with students in La Ronge, these students worked extra hard to make this happen. I couldn’t be more proud of them today. Donna Banach, Stacy Charles, Christina Davies, Jessica Emisch, Tara Glover, Kristen McKenzie and Danielle Stilborn, each of you will make a huge difference in your community.”

“Learning from home has been a blessing, as I was able to focus on my studies without having the added pressures of living away from family and friends, who have acted as a support system,” said new La Ronge graduate Christina Davies. “Taking the program in the north, has brought many unique experiences, including learning via the robot. As my convocation date nears, I cannot help but reminisce of the past four years. It seems like just yesterday when it all began. Being able to complete the entire Bachelor of Science in Nursing program where I live has been an incredible opportunity that I will never forget. Now that I have completed the program, I look forward to giving back to my home community of La Ronge, as a Registered Nurse."

At the St. Joseph’s Hospital & Health Centre in Ile-a-la-Crosse on May 9th, we continued our graduation celebrations with students, staff and members of the community. MLA Buckley Belanger provided congratulatory messages on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan and Mayor Duane Favel congratulated local graduates and spoke about how grateful he was to have them working in northern communities, such as Ile-a-la-Crosse. Northlands College Manager of University Programming Karla Hardcastle and CEO Jean Marc-Desmeules from the Keewatin Yatthé Regional Health Authority also congratulated graduates on behalf of their respective organizations.

"The Remote Presence technology used in Ile-a-la-Crosse to deliver the nursing program here has provided so many opportunities,” said new graduate Phyllis Probert. “The graduation of three aboriginal nurses in this area of northern Saskatchewan, the improvement in our families’ lifestyles and overall well-being, the addition of Cree/dene speaking nurses in northern hospitals and the overall pride in our communities and my hometown of Beauval to have gained another nurse are just a few. After working for a while, I am looking forward to continuing my education in U of S Nurse Practitioner Program, which I can also do from home, not requiring me to leave the community and my family to obtain my education." 

‘When the idea to deliver nursing education in Northern Saskatchewan was brought forward, I had never been to Ile-a-la-Crosse,” said Dean Butler. “But the one thing I did know, was the College of Nursing is committed to a “learn where you live” philosophy and if Northern Saskatchewan needed more nurses, we wanted to help. Working with the community of Ile-a-la-Crosse has been a remarkable experience. We wouldn’t have these students graduating from the program today if the community had not come on board the way it has. And these students, the dedication they have shown to complete their studies is extraordinary. I offer my sincerest congratulations to Bernice Desjardin, Phyllis Probert and Savannah Sylvestre”.