11/05/2020
Last week, with financial support from the TWU School of Nursing, 6 of our students were able to attend the online/virtual CNSA Western Prairie Regional Conference. This year the Conference was about Uplifting Indigenous Voices.
After the conference, students reflected on their experiences and learning from the conference. Here is what a few of them had to say:
Reflection from Student 1:
Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend (virtually!) the CNSA Western Prairie Regional Conference. The theme, Uplifting Indigenous Voices, was incredibly relevant and I came away with a better understanding of the intergenerational impacts of Canada’s assimilation system and a greater appreciation for how people of this culture live. One elder provided an insightful explanation of why residential schools continue to affect Indigenous families: “The skill of thinking with our own minds was taken from us… we were always told what to do… we never saw our parents look after us or our siblings” (Voyageur, 2020). As I listened to the different speakers, I began to realize how beautiful their narrative way of teaching is. Knowledge and traditions transcended their generations through story telling and the skill of listening continues to be instilled in those that gather.
Voyageur, E. (2020, October 22). Opening Ceremonies [Conference presentation]. 2020 CNSA Western Prairie Regional Conference.
Reflection from Student 2:
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the speakers at this year’s 2020 CNSA Regional Conference! It was new and different being that it was online but I’m glad they could adapt and it felt like I was listening to an informative and educational podcast throughout the days it was held, and I love a good podcast! I went into the conference with little knowledge on Indigenous health, but came out with some perspective of what it looks like to be an Indigenous person receiving and confronting their health and the healthcare systems in Canada. There is still so much to be learned and reconciled when it comes to Indigenous health, but I’m grateful that I can be an informed nursing student on this topic. In fact, the conference left me wanting more and so I hope in the future to seek out other opportunities to learn about or get involved with Indigenous health in my community and in Canada.
Reflection from Student 3:
One person I’d like to quote from the conference is Dr. George Deagle. When someone asked Dr. Deagle what is one important message he’d like for us to take away, he said this: “Understanding other people’s culture means that they have a different world view that is just as valid as our own. And that’s sometimes a failing of all of us. Becoming aware of the biases we all have and counteracting them with kindness and remaining silent (listening with our eyes) — I think that’s the most important thing”. I’m grateful to have attended the conference as I feel more knowledgeable about cultural awareness in a clinical setting.
