June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize and reflect on the histories, cultures and contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples across Canada.
It is also a chance to listen to Indigenous health care professionals whose knowledge and leadership are helping shape nursing in meaningful ways.
Dr. Nicole Blackman, RN, Chief Operating Officer, and Christi-Ann Poulette, RN, Health System Transformation Manager, both from the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC), share what it means to practice nursing while holding Indigenous knowledge and values at the centre of their work.
Two-Eyed Seeing
Both nurses draw on Two-Eyed Seeing, a concept introduced by Elder Albert Marshall of the Moose Clan of the Mi'kmaw Nation. It brings Indigenous and Western knowledge together as equally valuable ways of understanding care. In practice, this can mean making room for ceremony alongside medical treatment and creating care plans that reflect a patient’s cultural ties and community connections.
"I've always tried to make space for both perspectives to be present in health care," said Poulette, "… allowing families to practice ceremonies, to address traditional beliefs that they want embedded in their care as well as the Western medical treatment."
Blackman noted that access to traditional healing practices is not equal across regions, and that Indigenous-led organizations have a key role to play in closing that gap. "We're starting to see an integration of traditional healing practices within care plans for Indigenous communities," she said.
A different way of thinking about health
For both nurses, good care means treating people as whole human beings, not as a set of symptoms or conditions. "It is done through culturally grounded, community-based and holistic approaches to care," said Blackman. "It goes beyond the biomedical model to restore balance and foster connection."
That means recognizing the resilience and cultural strengths patients bring with them. It also means understanding that health disparities have deeper root causes and that communities have the right to be part of the solutions.
A message to Indigenous nurses
Both Blackman and Poulette spoke directly to Indigenous youth considering a career in health care. Their message was straightforward: your perspective belongs in this profession, and it is needed.
"Indigenous nurses can create change and help transform our health care system by incorporating traditional practices and cultural values into the care they provide," said Poulette. "There are so many opportunities to learn and lead in health care, and our Indigenous youth coming up behind us can provide such great fresh ideas to create positive change and really impact the health care of themselves and their community."
Blackman spoke to how that leadership extends beyond direct patient care: "Indigenous nurses are at the forefront of transformational change. They are not only delivering care, but they are leading policy, education, governance and cultural revitalization."
She closed with a message for Indigenous nurses:
"You belong here. Your voice, your knowledge, your experiences, your culture are not only valuable in health care, but they are needed. When you choose a path in health, you're not only choosing a profession, you are becoming a healer, an advocate and a bridge between two worlds."
Watch the full conversation with Nicole Blackman and Christi-Ann Poulette.