North Island College has received new cash to expand a program preparing students to listen and learn from Indigenous people.

NIC Elder in Residence, Evelyn Voyageur, says she saw the need for a
better health care system for her people when she began her nursing
career - she’s been preparing students to be more responsive and open
to Indigenous people the last 15 years, bringing them into Indigenous
communities.

Now, thanks to a $359,044 research grant announced last fall, the
program will build on Voyageur’s work.

The grant will allow NIC to partner with several more Indigenous
communities to expand it beyond nurses to professionals in the rest of
the health care system.

It is also increasing the number of Indigenous communities who participate.

The project has a three-year timeframe, but it’s hoped it would become
sustainable for the long-term and bring in more Indigenous people’s
points of view.