Indigenous Student Nurse Education Bursary
The Indigenous Student Nurse Education Bursary (ISNEB), established in 2021, is an initiative of the BCNU Indigenous Leadership Circle. The bursary reflects the union's commitment to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and its ongoing support for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada's 94 Calls to Action; in particular, the call to increase the number of Indigenous professionals in health care.
In November 2020, the provincial government released a report, In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous Specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care. Echoing the call to action raised by the TRC of Canada, the report made it clear that BC needs more Indigenous nurses to help foster a culture of safety in our health care system.
This bursary is open to Indigenous BCNU internationally educated nurses (IEN) associate members and Indigenous BCNU student members, including those currently working as an employed student nurse (ESN).
The ISNEB is $1,500 and is awarded annually. The bursary is inspired by Indigenous nurse leaders. Each year, ILC will dedicate an individual in whose name the bursary is being awarded. For 2025, the ILC is delighted to name Lily Ned, a founding ILC member and respected nurse leader from the Upper Nicola Band.
New for 2025: The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) is now offering a $1,000 student scholarship to a nursing student who identifies as Indigenous. Candidates for this award will be selected from eligible applicants for BCNU's ISNEB. By applying for the ISNEB you will be considered for the CFNU fund and you do not need to re-apply.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Identify as Indigenous.
- Be a BCNU student member (includes employed student nurses) or a BCNU IEN associate member. Sign up to be a BCNU student member or a BCNU IEN associate member. Membership is free. If you have already signed up, but do not have your BCNU student ID number or your BCNU IEN associate member ID number, email the BCNU Membership Department. Your application will not be processed without your BCNU student ID number or your BCNU IEN associate member ID number.
- Enrolled in a school of nursing in British Columbia as of April 15.
This is a one-time bursary. If you have applied for and received funding from this bursary in the past, you are not eligible to apply again.
Application Process
Applications are accepted from January to April 15. The application deadline is April 15 of each year.
Complete the online application form which includes an associated waiver when applying for the bursary.
The BCNU Bursary Committee will randomly draw eligible applicants for the bursary after the deadline. Decisions of the Bursary Committee are final.
Notification emails will be sent to the randomly drawn bursary recipients near the end of May. Please ensure you check your junk mail folders.
Award Disbursement
Applicants meeting the eligibility requirements stated above will be entered into a random draw for the bursary. Successful applicants will be notified by email with instructions and will be required to provide their social insurance number (SIN) for tax purposes as well as proof of enrolment and fees/tuition paid before funds are released.
If you have any further questions, please email the Indigenous Student Nurse Education Bursary team at SNEB@bcnu.org.
2025 Recipient: Anonymous
2024 Recipient: Erin Hansen
2023 Recipient: Teegan Stoudt
2022 Recipient: Candace Atwood
2021 Recipient: Renee Williams
About Lily Ned
Born on the Coldwater Reserve, Ned dreamed of becoming a nurse despite being taken from her family at age seven and placed in the Kamloops Indian Residential School where she was told she wasn’t “academic material.” Determined, she completed high school in 1978. Inspired by her sister-in-law, she became a long-term care aide before enrolling in the Native Health Careers Access Program in 1985 while raising two children. Ned bonded with fellow student June Shackley, and they graduated in 1989. Ned’s dedication to Indigenous health continues to inspire, and the 2025 Indigenous Student Nurse Education Bursary honours her lasting impact.