To celebrate National Nursing Week, the RBC Foundation is donating $10,000 to support nursing education at Boundary Trails Health Centre (BTHC), a move that leaders say comes at a critical time for healthcare workers and aligns with growing calls for cultural awareness and reconciliation.
The donation will not only jumpstart paused nursing education days but also support a new Indigenous-led cultural safety training initiative, supported by BTHC Foundation Executive Director Shannon Samatte-Folkett.
‘I am a proud Métis woman’
“As someone who values lifelong learning, I really believe in offering continuing education to the staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre, and especially when it comes to cultural safety and understanding the experiences of Indigenous peoples, because I am a proud Métis woman, so this is both professional and deeply personal to me,” said Samatte-Folkett.
The goal is to have all BTHC staff participate
The grant will fund a series of education sessions titled Walk a Mile in My Moccasins, beginning Friday, May 9 at the Winkler Library. Initially targeting leadership staff, the goal is to eventually have all BTHC staff participate in some form of cultural safety training, either in person or virtually.
“We had a candid and thoughtful conversation about where we could start at BTHC and what was needed to raise awareness about Indigenous peoples in our facilities,” added Samatte-Folkett, noting that support from Indigenous educators, the hospital director, and other local leaders helped shape the program.
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Gratitude expressed by staff
Staff who have signed up have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn, with hopes the training will foster meaningful reflection and stronger relationships with Indigenous communities. The initiative also plans to invite local Indigenous groups to future events, such as National Indigenous Peoples Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The impact on furthering education
The RBC Foundation's support goes further. According to BTHC Director of Health Services Joel Nelson, the funding will also help restart hands-on education in key areas such as obstetrics, palliative care, surgical and critical care. It will also cover certifications and honorariums for speakers on topics like elder care and medical emergencies.
“Nurses here are craving the opportunity to get back in a learning environment in order to work towards providing excellent care for our clients,” Nelson said.
National Nursing Week
Held May 8–14 in honour of nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, National Nursing Week is a time to recognize the essential contributions nurses make to Canadian healthcare.
“RBC recognizes the impact that nurses have in our healthcare system is unparalleled,” said Kim Ulmer, RBC Regional President. “We aim to give back to nurses through a donation supporting their continuing education and professional development.”
Statistics Canada reported over 23,000 vacant nursing positions in early 2022, a 219% increase since 2019. At the same time, studies show many healthcare workers continue to feel overwhelmed in the wake of the pandemic.
The $10,000 donation from RBC, alongside the passion of healthcare leaders like Samatte-Folkett, offers hope that renewed education and deeper understanding can help support nurses both professionally and emotionally in their vital roles.