Nursing Students Receive Indigenous Achievement Awards
Three College of Nursing students receive USask Indigenous Student Achievement Awards.
At Marquis Hall on the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Saskatoon Campus on March 6th, three College of Nursing students were celebrated for receiving Indigenous Student Achievement Awards, honouring Indigenous students from across USask for their academic achievement, leadership, research, resiliency, and community engagement.
Charles Dettaniba
Resiliency Award
From: Black Lake Band - Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 4th Year, Prince Albert Campus
Charles is a role model and a leader, providing support and encouragement to many. He is a single dad, juggling family life while maintaining good marks in the nursing program. Charles is also a role model to other nursing students and has been known to encourage and support them.
He has volunteered with a number of organizations including USask Nursing at a convention for traumatized youth as a speaker, Athabasca Basin Development and Points Athabasca as a motivational speaker for Northern students, Habitat for Humanity as a concrete finisher and drywall installer, and local fundraisers with his children.
Upon completion of his program, he aspires to work in surgery, until he is experienced enough to enter the emergency department. He hopes to eventually take his experience back to the North to continue his practice as a registered nurse.
Alex Pond (BSN'20)
Academic Excellence Award
From: Metis Western Region Two - Big River, Saskatchewan
Program: Master of Nursing Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner, Off-Campus
After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in 2020, Alex began her career as a registered nurse in her home community of Big River, Saskatchewan. She subsequently transitioned to surrounding rural emergency departments to gain experience in high acuity care.
A position in her maternal grandmother’s First Nation community involving HIV management and harm reduction cemented her passion for community-centered care. This grew her desire to further her education in nursing. Currently, Alex is in her second and final year in the Master of Nursing - Nurse Practitioner program and is maintaining an 85.1% average. Upon graduation from the program, she hopes to return to Big River and the surrounding area as a healthcare provider.
Dannielle Brass
Academic Excellence Award
From: Peepeekisis First Nation
Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 3rd Year, Prince Albert Campus
Dannielle Brass is an Indigenous woman from Peepeekisis First Nation, who has navigated through the unique challenges of her cultural heritage, embracing resilience and determination. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve as a Registered Nurse upon graduation, a role that allows her to use her voice for equality in the healthcare community.
“Congratulations to our Indigenous Student Achievement Award recipients for 2023, Charles, Alex, and Dannielle,” said College of Nursing dean Dr. Solina Richter (DCur). “These students, recognized for their resiliency and academic achievement, should take great pride in their successes that have led them to be selected as this year’s recipients. The College of Nursing is fortunate to have them as part of its student body.”
The University of Saskatchewan celebrates Métis, First Nations, and Inuit students annually during Indigenous Achievement Week. The 2024 celebration was hosted March 4th – 8th.
Together we will support and inspire students to succeed. We invite you to join by supporting current and future students' needs at USask.