Brightshores is creating an environment where everyone can feel respected, valued and safe. We recognize that achieving true equity, diversity and inclusion is an ongoing journey. We are proud of the steps we have taken and know there is more to do.
As part of our recent Nursing Week celebrations, which included Indigenous Nurses Day, we invited SpringDawn Cook-Akiwenzie to share her perspectives, helping us to deepen our understanding and continue learning together. SpringDawn is a Registered Practical Nurse at the Owen Sound Hospital.
By SpringDawn Cook-Akiwenzie, RPN
As an Indigenous nurse, I feel accomplished to be working in this position. I have had a great career so far. I have been an RPN for 12 years. In my previous position of employment, I had the pleasure of being able to work within my own First Nation of Nawash as the Community Health Nurse. I held this role for eight years, until I felt like I needed to move on. I gained so much experience in that role, and I feel like I had learned so much about my community, and within that time I learned a great deal about myself and what time of nurse I wanted to be — to feel competent, empathetic, and to be the nurse that can relate to her patients and provide a holistic approach to care.
I am very proud of my Ojibway and Cree Heritage. I find patients asking me about my name – SpringDawn – and most often the patients ask details as to why my name is so particular. This is when I get to tell them of my ancestry and the story behind it. I was born in the Spring at Dawn.
I saw [Nawash Community Member] working up on 4-1 Surgery as a PSW! I am so proud! He had just finished his school program from Georgian College and was doing his placement hours. I made sure to have a quick chat with him about his schooling and recommended (he) keep striving within his education.
I recently had a visit with my auntie Bernadette Cook, and she told me stories of her life growing up and the challenges that she faced. She told me about the hardships, especially for her family and her parents. My aunt explained that her family of six siblings were taken away and separated as children because Indigenous families at that time were not given the equal rights to raise their own. Often times, children were taken away and made to be raised within the residential school systems or fostered out to Non-Indigenous families.
My aunt expressed to me that my grandmother always wished to become a nurse. She tried to become that and practiced by being a nurse’s aide at the time. When she applied to school for nursing, she was denied for not having enough education and for being Indigenous.
It was very hard to hear this from my aunt, and to hear the story of my grandmother wanting to pursue a dream and passion of hers.
I have to say that even though my grandmother couldn’t be a nurse, I am very proud to know I am walking in her footsteps and have become what she always wanted. I am lucky and honoured for the strength and the resiliency that come from my lineage. I hope my grandmother is looking down and proud of me.
I say thank you and Chi-Miigwetch (Big Thank you in Ojibway).