A Commitment to Reconciliation

Inspired by the Saskatoon Public Library, students, staff and faculty can visit Reading for Reconciliation corners at all six College of Nursing sites, where they will find a collection of books. Everyone is invited to borrow the books to learn more about residential schools, Canada’s colonial history and Indigenous health and wellness. Some of the titles include, but are not limited to, From Our Mother’s Arms: The Intergenerational Impact of Residential Schools in Saskatchewan by Constance Deiter, Medicines to Help Us by Christi Belcourt and Moving Aboriginal Health Forward: Discarding Canada’s Legal Barriers by Yvonne Boyer. 

In partnership with Canadian Roots Exchange and the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing, Health Science students took part in a student exchange to Fort Qu’Appelle October 5^th – 8^th. The exchange took leaders and participants to the heart of Treaty 4 Territory to learn about the region’s history, land and traditional healing practices. Activities included a team building activity at Elkdog Equine Assisted Therapy, a visit to the White Raven Healing Centre and All Nations Healing Hospital, presentations on natural medicine and much more. Four students from the College of Nursing took part in the exchange. 

As part of the Fort Qu’Appelle Valley Exchange, nursing student Sydney Lerat and recent nursing graduate Rene Lerat officially launched two eBooks they have been working on with Treaty 4 Literacy Director Rhonda Kayseas, College of Nursing’s Associate Dean Southern Saskatchewan Regina Campus Dr. Lynn Jansen, Professor Dr. Sandra Bassendowski and Aboriginal Nursing Advisor Heather Cote-Soop. Using a combination of First Nations teachings, including the Seven Sacred Teachings and a variety of stories, the eBooks are interactive, easily accessed and available for families to use on a variety of mobile devices. The books, Seven Sacred Teachings for Kids and The Seven Sacred Teachings-RPS, are designed to promote an increase in early literacy and a love for learning and reading for children and families. The book launch included a performance by the White Bear School powwow singers, who’s drumming and singing is featured in the books. 

Parkland College, in partnership with the College of Nursing in Yorkton, hosted a lunch and learn October 6th for students, staff and faculty to learn about First Nation and Métis culture and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.  During the event, the Reading for Reconciliation corner at Parkland College was unveiled and at an information kiosk, guests were able to learn about the Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action, the Medicine Wheel buttons and background on First Nations and Métis people in Saskatchewan. Elder Corrine Brass from Cote First Nation talked about local Indigenous culture and everyone shared a traditional meal of soup and bannock. During the event, students, staff and faculty took part in an interactive art project; using red, yellow, black and white paint, participants dipped their hands in paint and applied it to pre-drawn medicine wheel.

The College of Nursing, separately and as a part of the University of Saskatchewan community, has made Aboriginal engagement and success one of its core objectives. We are committed to responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. Learn more about our efforts and progress in that regard here.