In recognition of National Nursing Week (May 12-18, 2025) we spoke with Kaydence Morgado Thomas, fourth-year Indigenous nursing student at the College of Nursing in UM’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, about her journey in the bachelor of nursing program and the impactful role Mahkwa omushki kiim: Pathway to Indigenous Nursing Education (PINE) had in her success.

Morgado Thomas is a proud Cree and Portuguese woman, and her spirit name is Chief Mountain Woman. Her father is from Norway House Cree Nation, and while she was raised in Winnipeg, she’s always felt a strong connection to her Cree roots and community. Morgado Thomas carries her identity and culture with pride, and strives to reflect that in everything she does, especially in her journey through nursing.