Dr. Gerri Dickson Leadership in Reconciliation Award Winner Announced
Before Dr. Gerri Dickson passed away in 2016, she and her husband Dr. Murray Dickson wanted to make sure the University of Saskatchewan Community of Aboriginal Nursing (UCAN) program had funds to continue support for aboriginal nursing students.
As part of their $25,000 donation, a five year award was created called the Dr. Gerri Dickson Leadership in Reconciliation Award. This $2,500 annual award will continue to have a positive impact on nursing education and the Aboriginal community by supporting student leadership in furthering reconciliation initiatives in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action.
The Dr. Gerri Dickson Leadership in Reconciliation Award is open to continuing students in the College of Nursing. Students applying for the award must be in good academic standing and submit a letter describing their leadership activities and contributions to the area of reconciliation. We are proud to announce undergraduate student Christian-Lee Masuskapoe from the Prince Albert campus has been selected as the 2018 award recipient.
Christian-Lee Masuskapoe is from Ahtahkakoop First Nation, and the first person in her family to attend University. She is actively involved in her culture, including practicing to become a traditional fancy dancer and doing beadwork; in activism, by attending vigils for Missing and Murdered and Indigenous Women and rallies for Colten Boushie and Tina Fontaine; and in student leadership, as the Indigenous Ambassador to the Saskatchewan Nursing Students Association and as a former Health Sciences representative to the Indigenous Students Council. Christian-Lee is known for her courage and leadership in advocating for justice, and as a role model who has demonstrated personal resilience.
Congratulations Christian-Lee. The College of Nursing would like to thank you once again for your commitment to building reconciliation and addressing some of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action that pertain to nursing students.