By Hadence Many Bears
Pride and celebration filled the air at the University of Calgary on June 4 as family members, friends and supporters gathered to honor the first graduates of the iiyaikinaami, Spirit Helper Bachelor of Nursing Program, a partnership between Old Sun College and University of Calgary. For these graduates, crossing the stage marked not only the completion of years of hard work and dedication, but have also led them to the beginning of their careers devoted to caring for others.
Among those recognized were Rhiannon Kennard, Valene Bear Cheif, Jazzlyn McGurie, Kim Hardy, Erica Sitting Eagle, and Harmony McDonald. Their accomplishments were celebrated not only as personal achievements, but also as victories shared by their families, communities, and everyone who supported along the way.
For many indigenous students, earning a degree represents resilience, perseverance and a commitment, that has broken cycles. As these graduates prepare to enter the healthcare field, they carry with them the knowledge, compassion, and cultural strength needed to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
A particularly meaningful part of the celebration was these graduates being recognized as part of the growing numbers of indigenous healthcare professionals helping to shape the future of nursing. When asked, “as the first indigenous graduates from this RN program, what does this milestone mean to you personally, and what message do you hope it sends to future indigenous students considering a career in nursing?” Their responses reflected hope, determination, and the importance of representation.
For Rhiannon Kennard, the message was short, but powerful. “We can do it!” She spoke.
Valene Bear Chief spoke about the strengths indigenous students bring to healthcare. “Indigenous students have a lot of empathy the is not seen in other cultures, and it transfers into higher level of care and compassion for patients, residents and their families. And if I can do it with four kids by myself, anybody can do it!” Her words highlight the perseverance required to balance family responsibilities while pursing higher education and the values of indigenous perspectives in healthcare.
Jazzlyn McGuire hopes this achievement will inspire others to believe in themselves and chase their goals. “I hope others after me get inspiration from this. I pray that they don’t hold themselves back and they just go for it and do it!”
Kim Hardy reflected on the significance of the moment as both personal achievement and collective inspiration. “It’s a huge honor and a testament to resilience, showing that we can break barriers and achieve our dreams. If I can do it, then you can do it! My hope is our journey will tell the future indigenous students that their dreams in nursing are achievable, and their unique perspectives are valuable and needed in healthcare. We need your voices, your compassion, and your skills in this field and I hope our journey inspires others to pursue their own.”
Erica Sitting Eagle reflects on the resilience and dedication it took, “This milestone is incredibly meaningful to me. It feels like we’ve helped pave a path for those who will follow, showing our community belongs in these academic and professional spaces. Moving into nursing was a major care change for me, and there were many moments when the journey was tough, but I prayed stayed committed and kept going. This program has been quite the journey one filled with hard work, growth, and resilience. Along the way, I’ve gained lifelong friendships, a meaningful career, and a deeper understanding of how we can make a real difference in people’s lives. That alone makes this path worth pursuing. I hope future indigenous students and community members see that they can do this too. Hard work, determination, ang perseverance goes a long way. I won’t sugar coat it; this program is challenging and requires a lot of commitment. But if you stay focused, lean on your support, and believe in yourself, you can do it!”
While Harmony McDonald did not provide a statement, her achievement speaks for itself. Standing alongside her classmates, is a powerful reminder that indigenous student can achieve their goals and succeed in higher education. In other words, you can do it!
Their words serve as a powerful reminder that representation matters. By reaching this milestone, these graduates are doing more than achieving personal goals. They are helping create opportunities and inspiration for future generations of generations of indigenous students who dream of a career in not only healthcare but other occupations.
As they begin this next chapter, their community celebrates not only what they accomplished, but also the path they are creating for those who will follow.
