wahkohtowin Symbol Gifted to College of Nursing

University of Saskatchewan (USask) Indigenous Research Chair in Nursing Dr. Holly Graham’s (PhD) work has come full circle from providing input as a mentor on the creation of a symbol to taking the lead on revising the symbol to a present-day look.

In 1990, the Native Access Program to Nursing (NAPN), now the University of Saskatchewan Community of Aboriginal Nursing (UCAN), in collaboration with the College of Nursing, created a symbol to represent support and mentorship for Indigenous nursing students.

In 2020, when Dr. Graham was awarded Indigenous Research Chair in Nursing, updating this symbol was one of her initiatives.

wahkohtowin, the name of Dr. Graham’s Chair, is a Cree worldview that describes how we are all related and interconnected, and how the energy in the relationships can create transformation.

At a gifting ceremony held in Saskatoon on September 18th, Dr. Graham, Elder Louise Halfe, and Val Arnault-Pelletier presented the framed wahkohtowin symbol to USask College of Nursing dean Dr. Solina Richter (DCur).

“It is my hope wahkohtowin will be embedded within nursing curriculum and all future nursing students will understand how we are all interconnected, interrelated, and the energy in all relationships can create transformation,” said Dr. Graham.

“Secondly, I hope all nursing students will integrate the Seven Sacred Teachings into their lives and their work. Animating these values will create a culture of caring and safety for all peoples.”

Symbols are an important part of creating culturally safe spaces, they contribute to knowledge mobilization, and are an opportunity to create awareness and educate all peoples about Indigenous culture.

“By gifting this symbol to the College of Nursing and the college incorporating it wherever possible, it is a welcome symbol to all Indigenous students and visitors, and demonstrates acceptance and a valuing of Indigenous peoples and their worldviews,” said Dr. Graham.

The wahkohtowin symbol is described by Dr. Graham as follows:

This symbol represents cultural concepts to represent First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples. The Inuit peoples are represented by the Qulliq, Métis peoples are represented by the sash and beadwork, First Nation peoples are represented by the beadwork and the drum. Overarching cultural concepts include Family; Father Sky; Circle of Life and Mother Earth’s heartbeat represented by the drum; Fire; Rocks are used in ceremonies and are considered sacred and animate; Eagle represents love, one of the Seven Sacred Teachings (humility, bravery, honesty, wisdom, truth, respect, and love). The Seven Sacred Teachings are values when embodied will promote harmony and a good life.

The updating process of the NAPN symbol included feedback from current USask undergraduate Indigenous nursing students, the Indigenous Health Committee chaired by Dr. Veronica McKinney, the USask College of Nursing Indigenization Sub-Committee chaired by Drs. Holly Graham and Hope Bilinski (PhD), UCAN Indigenous Nursing Advisors, and the Indigenous Advisory Committee to the Indigenous Research Chair.

A wahkohtowin gifting will take place at each nursing campus and site this fall as part of the College of Nursing 85^th Anniversary celebrations taking place across Saskatchewan.