Photo Credit: Tom Thomson Photography
An expansion of personal support worker and nursing programs at Seven Generations Education Institute campuses in Sioux Lookout, Kenora and Fort Frances.
The province is providing $12.9 million to allow for more students to enter those fields.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford made the announcement Wednesday.
Seven Generations Chief Executive Officer Brent Tookenay says the funding will provide new opportunities for 36 students each year.
“We’re going to run multiple cohorts at the same time at all three of our campuses. We should have a significant number of health care professionals coming out in the next number of years, which is needed.”
The first intake will begin in September.
Tookenay adds, “We’re hoping that they all stay in the area obviously. Living in Treaty #3 area we think that many are going to stay and gain employment here in the various communities. So I think that’s important.”
The provincial investment will also provide financial support to students for such things as tuition, textbooks and other expenses.
Greg Rickford, the Minister of Northern Development and Mines says, “As a former nurse with experience working in communities across the north, I know that Indigenous people have faced barriers to accessing effective and culturally safe health, mental health and addictions care. The pandemic has shown us that improved access to these services is of utmost importance for communities. By increasing enrolment in nursing and PSW programs at Indigenous Institutes, we will help ensure culturally appropriate supports continue to be available in the
future.”
Brigitte Loeppky, Associate Director in Health Disciplines at SGEI, sees the need firsthand for these health care positions in our region. “We hope that this student funding will not only welcome more
learners into our health programs and the nursing workforce, but it will also directly respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 23 of increasing the number of Aboriginal professionals working in the health-care field. In addition, infused in their curriculum, SGEI’s health programs address the cultural engagement and understanding that is needed in Treaty 3 and Northwestern Ontario thus improving the quality of health care rendered.”
Angela Mainville, Director of Post-Secondary Education and Training, explains that “SGEI prioritizes engagement in Anishinaabe culture and exposure to Anishinaabemowin to shape the student
experience at our campuses. We know this enables our students to better serve our people and communities in the Treaty Three area. When the needs of Anishinaabe learners are centred, all learners benefit.”
This funding is applicable to SGEI’s Practical Nursing two-year Diploma and the Personal Support Worker one-year certificate programs (both in partnership with Canadore College).
It also applies to the four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree program (in partnership with Lakehead University) and is open to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous applicants.
(With files from Randy Thoms)
(Pictures provided by Tom Thomson Photography and 7 Generations)
