Indigenous nurses to benefit from $1 million

The Canadian Nurses Foundation is excited to announce its One Million in One Year campaign, with the goal to double the number of scholarships it currently funds for Indigenous nurses.

The aim is to raise $1 million to help support Indigenous nursing and education.

"CNF, in collaboration with stakeholders, is committed to make change happen through its support of Indigenous nurses," said Christine Rieck Buckley, CEO of the Canadian Nurses Foundation.

Funding will also support initiatives to increase the knowledge and skills of Indigenous nurses in mental health.

Given the increased incidence of suicide in Indigenous communities, this initiative will result in more access to timely mental health services.

"It is our goal that CNF TD Aboriginal Nursing Fund award recipients will share their stories of success and inspire other Indigenous youth to become a registered nurse and help meet the health care needs of their communities," said Rachel Bard, CNF board chair.

"Recruiting more Indigenous nurses will help us to address issues like mental health and suicide. It will also inspire other young people to get involved in health care in our communities," said Hunter Tootoo, minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Indigenous nurses are often the first point of contact and the only health care providers in Indigenous communities, but Canada currently does not have enough people to meet the health care challenges they face.

This campaign will help fill this gap.

CNF believes that working in partnership with the health, education and business community on this campaign will help to improve the health of Indigenous people. This campaign will build on CNF's current programs and develop new and exciting initiatives to improve the health and wellbeing of Indigenous communities across Canada.