BCNU Honours National Indigenous Peoples Day

BCNU is committed to addressing anti-Indigenous racism in health care and to supporting a genuine and just process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. In 1996, the Government of Canada announced June 21 as National Aboriginal Day (now National Indigenous Peoples Day) to celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

In honour of the day, BCNU is pleased to announce the winner of the 2022 Indigenous Student Nurse Education Bursary, an initiative of BCNU's Indigenous Leadership Circle (ILC). The bursary reflects the union's ongoing support for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's 94 Calls to Action, including the call to increase the number of Indigenous professionals in health care.

This bursary is open to Indigenous BCNU student members who are studying to become LPNs, RNs and RPNs, including those currently working as employed student nurses (ESNs). The Indigenous Student Nurse Education Bursary is $1,500 and is awarded annually. The 2022 recipient is Candace Atwood from Cranbrook, who just completed her first-year LPN studies at the College of the Rockies. Read her bio here.

On the occasion of National Indigenous People's Day, BCNU Update Magazine sat down with ILC chair Catherine Tanski to find out more about her role and vision for the ILC and the journey that brought her to nursing and union activism. The ILC is a safe place for First Nations, Inuit or Métis members to identify needs and tackle issues as Indigenous people working in health care while addressing the legacy of racism and discrimination that has affected them. Read our Q&A with Catherine Tanski here.