Executive Director's Report

Aboriginal Nurse, The,  Jan 2008  

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

The Creator has placed a blanket of snow over our Mother Earth to protect her from the elements, through her slumber as she rests and replenishes over the winter months. The holiday season, family gatherings and 2007 has come and gone. As we enter into a new year, we at A.N.A.C. reflect on the past few months and all that we have accomplished, we are also looking forward to the time when Mother Earth will awaken. Buds will begin to appear, the grasses and medicinal plants will slowly return and birds will once again entertain us with their song.

Looking back at the past few months, we have been quite busy at head office. A.N.A.C. was represented this past November at the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation's Blueprint for the Future youth conference in Montreal. At this event, A.N.A.C. participated in the trade show together with the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, and was privileged to be attended by several hundred high school students, many of which indicated an interest in pursuing nursing as a viable career option. This was encouraging, and it was delightful to see so many young people, both girls and boys, alike taking an interest in health professions, particularly nursing.

Our Board of Directors met in November, for a Board Retreat, and were privileged to be in Ottawa, the nation's capital and be part of the Remembrance Day ceremonies in honour of all of our veterans who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars, for our right to live and die free.

Although our Board was engaged in discussion during much of the preparatory ceremonies, just before the Eleventh Hour, time was set aside for a moment of silence.

The group engaged in a private ceremony, facilitated by Mohawk Elder Taiorehensere (Daybreak)/Paul Skanks. During the lunch break, all those present took the opportunity on this cool, sunny November day to visit the Aboriginal War Memorial at Confederation I and place offerings of tobacco in honour of our Aboriginal veterans. As you browse through this issued you will notably come across some photos that were taken during these events.

Currently, we are busy with some exciting new updates to our website. In the days to come, for those of you that visit our website, and have visited previously, you will note that our home page will have a fresh new appearance. We are in the process of activating a members-only section on our website, which will include access to information strictly for members, as well as a discussion forum, to encourage dialogue between our members across the country.

We also pleased to announce that our Aboriginal Nursing Mentorship project is evolving and a discussion forum designed to accommodate mentors and mentees questions, answers, dialogue and support should be active by the time this newsletter goes to print. This new mentorship discussion forum will kick-start the mentorship project, and as the project evolves, all members, experienced nurses who would like to participate as mentors, novice nurses who are seeking answers or extra support in discharging their duties, and student nurses with all questions about nursing are encouraged to participate.

Copyright Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada Jan 2008
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved