Norma Rabbitskin holding her award. (Submitted photo/ Norma Rabbitskin)

By Ian Gustafson

Reconciliation

Sturgeon Lake First Nation nurse wins award

Oct 2, 2020 | 10:22 AM

A local nurse who comes from a long line of traditional medicine and healing is being recognized for her work at the Sturgeon Lake First Nation and in Saskatchewan.

Norma Rabbitskin has won the Award for Excellence in Truth and Reconciliation at the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association (SRNA) 2020 Virtual Awards of Excellence celebration streamed from Regina Wednesday evening.

The award is given to a registered nurse who continues to move reconciliation forward in the province.

“It was actually very humbling because I don’t do this work to be recognized it’s just something, I’m passionate [about] but I’m honoured to be nominated by my peers,” Rabbitskin told paNOW.

“I was very humbled and empowered to be at the ranks of such passionate and inspirational nurses who’ve been impacting lives in Saskatchewan.”

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According to a media release, the award criteria is based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s, Calls to Action.

Rabbitskin, who is the senior health nurse at the Sturgeon Lake First Nation, has been working there for 21 years and has been a nurse for 31 years.

She explained nursing has been more than just a career for her. It was a calling.

“I wanted to help people and be of service,” she explained. “I come from a line of medicine healing, my grandfather was a healer, and also my grandmother was a herbalist and my mom was a herbalist as well, she explained.”

She said with direction and spiritual guidance with the community elders they’ve been able to offer traditional health options.

Over the years in the Sturgeon Lake First Nation they have used research to utilize traditional medicine, improve the quality of care in the community and brought in primary care. She said they’ve also been working to improve prenatal care and to bring midwife access to the community as there is a need.

Rabbitskin has a passion for grounding practice, education, and research in culture. The goal is to offer more meaningful care in the community.

She said she was especially thankful for this award to recognize that Indigenous nurses and Indigenous health really do matter.

The SRNA Virtual Awards of Excellence are put on each year to recognize nurses in the community who have made contributions to practice registered nursing.

“We are honoured to celebrate this special time of change by paying tribute to the Registered Nurses, students and outstanding member of the public who have demonstrated commitment and passion for nursing practice here in Saskatchewan and abroad,” said SRNA Council President, Warren Koch in the media release. “As the organization gets set to move to a single mandate of regulation, this Awards of Excellence celebration marks the last, so it was a great opportunity to celebrate these achievements.”

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12