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We are here to support the future of Mi’kmaq and Indigenous nurses in Nova Scotia

Our initiative aims to raise awareness of the vital role that Mi’kmaq and Indigenous nurses play within our communities.

By showcasing these incredible nurses from our Mi’kmaw communities, we advocate for better healthcare for our people and provide support and inspire future generations.

Learn more about the steps and support available for a future in nursing.

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Celebrating Mi’kmaq Nurse Elders

Inspiring Future Healthcare Leaders

At the heart of our initiative is the commitment to honour and celebrate Mi’kmaq nurses, the dedicated caregivers within our 13 Mi’kmaq communities across Nova Scotia.

These nurses play a central role in caring for our people, embodying the strength and spirit of our culture.

By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire future generations of Mi’kmaw and Indigenous individuals to pursue fulfilling careers in healthcare and continue this legacy of care and compassion.

Meet Frances MacIntyre and Malglit (Margaret) Pelletier, two inspiring retired Mi’kmaw nurses from Unama’ki (Cape Breton).

In this heartfelt video, they share their journeys in the nursing profession—reflecting on their experiences, the challenges they faced, and the profound meaning that nursing holds for them.

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Celebrating

L'nu Nurses

Meet the inspiring Mi'kmaq nurses who are making a difference in communities across Nova Scotia.

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Dawn Googoo

When I began my nursing practice, I didn’t realize how much more I had to offer. As my skills grew, I learned to weave Mi’kmaq culture into the care I provided and saw the importance of ensuring our culture is recognized and valued across all healthcare settings.

Lorissa Ann Bernard

I love being the familiar face for Mi’kmaq clients and also teaching coworkers and clients about myself and my culture in my practice.

Elyse Francis-Doucette
I recognize how vital culturally sensitive care is to our people. Seeing our elders receive care that respects their language, traditions, and values has reinforced my commitment to becoming a nurse and contributing to my community’s well-being.
Julie Francis

A significant part of my nursing journey began with a ceremony where I prayed in a sweat lodge, seeking success in my program and future endeavours. This experience keeps me grounded and connected to my spirit and culture as I practice as a nurse.

When I first started nursing school, I didn’t fully understand what it meant to be a nurse. However, I quickly fell in love with the profession and discovered my calling in improving health and wellness for Mi’kmaw people. Incorporating culture into care and programming has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
Allyssa LeRoy-Criss
I love being a Mi’kmaw nurse because I am able to bring a different perspective to our current healthcare system. This perspective helps bridge the gap between our people and Westernized healthcare and ensures that our people are heard.
Courtney Pennell
Despite the challenges, we have the power to reclaim the opportunities lost to our ancestors and thrive within colonial systems. We are the change-makers, destined to be celebrated despite ongoing oppression. The strength of our ancestors runs deep, and we must never forget the beauty, power, and inherent knowledge within us. Msit No’kmaq!
Jenny Morgan
As a Mi’kmaw nurse in the community, I felt a deep trust from my clients. They depended on my knowledge and abilities, knowing I understood them as Mi’kmaw people first.
Noah Matthew-Cremo
My favourite part of being a L’nu nurse is seeing the patient’s demeanour change when they hear our language spoken to them. You can see them instantly become more comfortable as if they don’t have to be on guard.
Shauna Marshall
I love caring for others and want Mi’kmaq people to feel safe and supported in the healthcare system. Being Mi’kmaq allows me to improve their experience through culturally appropriate care, from a warm greeting to understanding family dynamics and ceremonies.
Paulina Meader

Being a Mi’kmaw nurse feels like stepping into a role shaped by fate. It’s about taking up spaces that were never designed for us and transforming them. It’s about reimagining healthcare to be more humane and individually focused—anchored in traditional values of respect, responsibility, and accountability.

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With nursing…
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