Panel

The School of Health and Human Services at Nova Scotia Community College is collaborating with Turtle Island Institute of Indigenous Science to co-create a Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Practical Nursing cohort grounded in Metuaptmumk (All Around Seeing), a rematriative approach to “Two-Eyed Seeing”. We re-envision the current Practical Nursing Program to include Mi’kmaq context, informed by Mi’kmaq ways of seeing, relating and doing and is tethered to Mi’kmaq knowledge systems rooted in rematriated Mi’kmaq language. Metuaptmumk is both a principle and a process which embodies the four “R” values of Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity and Responsibility.

There is a healthcare gap for Indigenous people in Canada, and specifically, for Mi’kmaw people in Nova Scotia. Systemic issues and barriers including racism, lack of funding and discrimination contribute to the low number of Mi’kmaw and Indigenous nurses in Nova Scotia. This cohort will increase the number of Indigenous Nurses in Nova Scotia and will work towards meeting the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice. Increasing the number of Mi’kmaw and Indigenous nurses in Nova Scotia will improve the health of Mi’kmaw and Indigenous people in Nova Scotia.

This collaboration exemplifies the importance of working together and bringing more minds to solutions finding in the creative process. Our broader circle includes a working group with representation from communities, organizations, knowledge experts and government partners. This collective de-colonial work includes key curriculum and process adaptations, spatial considerations, Mi’kmaq theoretical framing, cultural and community relatable context, offering more relevant examples for Indigenous and non-Indigenous nurses.

Our cohort commenced in October and we would love to share our learning journey so far.