Hundreds of people took part in the Nursing Students’ Association’s 10th annual Orange Shirt Day Walk on the Fort Garry campus.
Rady Faculty community gathers for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events
The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences community came together on the Bannatyne and Fort Garry campuses on Sept. 27 to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
On the Bannatyne campus, faculty, staff and students wearing orange T-shirts attended the event held in the Brodie Centre atrium. The gathering was presented by Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing.
Elder Margaret Lavallee, Elder-in-residence at Ongomiizwin, gave the opening prayer and Debra Beach Ducharme, director of Indigenous health integration with Ongomiizwin – Education, hosted the event.
Dr. Peter Nickerson speaks to the audience gathered in Brodie Centre atrium.
Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences) and dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, gave remarks and spoke to the audience about the recently completed mural in the atrium by Anishinaabe artist Blake Angeconeb. He asked that people reflect on the symbolism of the art which reminds them that they are on Indigenous land and Treaty 1 Territory.
“National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an important time for Rady Faculty of Health Sciences faculty members, learners and trainees to reflect on your role in truth and reconciliation and the steps you can take to decolonize health care, improve access to equitable care and provide culturally safe care in partnership with Indigenous communities,” Nickerson said.
Dr. Marcia Anderson, vice-dean Indigenous health, social justice and anti-racism, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, gave remarks and thanked Elder Lavallee for the important work she does at the Rady Faculty. Anderson said she always thinks about what it must be like for Elder Lavallee on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation because she is a residential school survivor and day school survivor.
A panel discussion took place that included [from left to right] Dr. Vanessa Poliquin, Dr. Lisa Monkman and Dr. Marcia Anderson.
“Some of us have heard some of the stories of what you experienced there, and you still keep showing up for us with love, with generosity, with humour, with kindness and with teachings … We just really value and appreciate you so much,” Anderson said.
A panel discussion took place that included Anderson; Dr. Lisa Monkman, Indigenous health curriculum co-lead for post graduate medical education, Max Rady College of Medicine; and Dr. Vanessa Poliquin, associate professor and department head of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine.
The panelists discussed the apologies by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and the Canadian Medical Association for harms to Indigenous Peoples, and they spoke about institutional resistance and reconciliation.
The event concluded with an honour song by Monkman, followed by bannock and refreshments.
Orange Shirt Day Walk on Fort Garry campus
At Fort Garry campus, hundreds participated in the Nursing Students’ Association’s (NSA) 10th annual Orange Shirt Day Walk, which started and ended at the Helen Glass Centre for Nursing.
In the past, the walk concluded at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation on Dysart Road, but growing attendance led to the change.
The Orange Shirt Day Walk started and ended at the Helen Glass Centre for Nursing.
Prior to the walk, Karen Cochrane, grandmother-in-residence for the Migizii Agamik Bald Eagle Lodge at UM, opened the ceremony by sharing the story of Phyllis Webstad, the residential school survivor who inspired Orange Shirt Day. As a child, Webstad had her brand-new orange shirt taken away from her upon arriving at a residential school in Williams Lake, B.C.
“Phyllis’ mom wanted the best for her, so she bought her a pretty orange shirt. If your mom or your dad bought you something, you knew that was love, you knew you were valued … Phyllis never saw that orange shirt again.”
Other speakers included Dr. Michael Benarroch, UM president and vice-chancellor, Dr. Netha Dyck, dean of the College of Nursing, Jennifer Chen, MLA Fort Richmond, NSA indigenous student representative Kayleigh Pagee and Grand Chief Garrison Settee.
Settee honoured the nursing students in attendance for organizing and taking part in the walk.
UM student Jordan Flett dances a jig in front of the Helen Glass Centre for Nursing.
“Your pursuit of nursing is not just a career, it is a calling. It is a very special calling that not too many pursue. I honour all of you, because you are a gift to our people and a gift to this province,” Settee said.
After the walk, NSA senior stick Judah Chepil renewed the nursing students’ pledge to practice culturally safe nursing care. He said the event gave nursing students the opportunity to influence their peers and future colleagues.
“Our health-care system, historically, has not always served Indigenous communities well, contributing to mistrust. Nurses can be key players in rebuilding this trust,” Chepil said. “Participating in reconciliation efforts helps nursing students understand the mistrust many Indigenous people feel toward institutions, including health care, and how they can become allies in healing this divide.”
The event concluded with a cultural dance performance by Jordan Flett, a 19-year-old UM student who has performed with the Northern Cree Dancers.