For more than 50 years, Aurora College has provided quality education and research opportunities for the residents of the Northwest Territories and beyond in one of our three campuses: Yellowknife North Slave Campus in Yellowknife, Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith or Aurora Campus in Inuvik. You could also connect with a community adult educator in one of our 21 Community Learning Centres across the NWT. Our mission is to demonstrate leadership in the delivery of relevant and meaningful education and research rooted in strong connections to Northern land, tradition, community and people.

Aurora College Bachelor of Science in Nursing offers three accredited Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) collaborative programs, and License Practical Nurse Bridge-In option through a degree-granting partnership with the University of Victoria. The BSN program is located on the Yellowknife/North Slave Campus.

The overall purpose of this program is to educate nurses to work with individuals, families, groups and communities in a variety of settings guided by a health promotion perspective with an ethic of caring. The program will assist students to develop sensitivity to people’s experiences of health, healing, and health promotion by being cognizant of nurse’s professional roles. Students will learn to work as partners with clients and other health care providers. Through their understanding of, and participation in, the changing health care system, graduates will be active participants in creating health for all. The BSN program is offered through a degree-granting partnership with the University of Victoria.

The degree is awarded as a BSN at the University of Victoria.

Health and Human Services Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

One of the BScN Program Objectives states: 

• Registered Nursing Practice will be shaped by understanding the historical and current social realities that result in anti-Indigenous racism, and which negatively impact Indigenous health and well-being. This curriculum is committed to enacting the principles of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Aurora College

Indigenous Knowledge Holders Council

As an important step in the journey to transform to a polytechnic university, Aurora College is currently working to develop the process to establish the Indigenous Knowledge Holders Council, one of three bodies that will make up the new tri-cameral governance structure.  The structure is the first of its kind at a post-secondary institution in Canada, and underscores Aurora College’s commitment to incorporate Indigenous perspectives, values, knowledge and traditions into all areas and business of the institution, in a methodical, strategic, and collaborative manner. 

The main purpose of the Council will be to promote policies and operational decisions that foster the success of Indigenous students and staff, and the overall success of Aurora College. It is anticipated to be in place in March 2024.

Call to Action # 24

We call upon medical and nursing schools in Canada to require all students to take a course dealing with Aboriginal health issues, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, and Indigenous teachings and practices. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

Mandatory Course: Yes

INDG 0211. Indigenous Peoples of the Northwest Territories 3 Credits

Aurora College’s BA in Nursing’s course list. Go to the “courses tab” and click each individual course.

Drawing from research, writing, oral histories and indigenous knowledge of anthropologists, archaeologists, historians, and Indigenous peoples and organizations, students will gain an understanding of the histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples in the NWT from pre-contact to the present day. Students will gain an understanding of histories and cultures by learning about cultural and spiritual practices, subsistence lifeways, political development, and the influences and impacts of newcomers. Key concepts and themes such as Indigenous knowledge, colonization, missionization, decolonization, and ongoing social impacts of these phenomena will be introduced from the perspectives of Indigenous peoples and perspectives of scholars. Indigenous perspectives will be an integral part of the course delivery based on writings of Indigenous peoples and scholars, new media produced by Indigenous peoples’ representative organizations, and possibly the knowledge of Indigenous guest speakers (depending on their availability).

The UVIC’s Academic Calendar also contains the BSN courses. Scroll down to “BSN in partnership with Aurora College, College of the Rockies and Selkirk College.

Nursing Program Commitment to Call to Action # 24: 5 out of 5 = 100% 

1. Aboriginal Health issues
Yes. See mandatory course description above.
2. The history and legacy of residential schools
Yes. See mandatory course description above.
3. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Yes. See School of Nursing Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
4. Treaties and Aboriginal rights
Yes. See mandatory course description above.
5. Indigenous teachings and Practice
Yes. See mandatory course description above.

Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing’s “Statement” of apology for colonial harms resulting from nursing education

The Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) is the national voice for nursing education, research, and scholarship and represents baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs across Canada. CASN’s mission is to lead nursing education and nursing scholarship in the interest of healthier Canadians.

Dec.11, 2023: We, the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN), wish to express our deepest regret, apologizing to the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada for harms, historical or contemporary, related to nursing education…Furthermore, we acknowledge that many graduates of Canadian schools of nursing provide care to Indigenous patients that is racist and culturally unsafe…We recognize that these harms have been perpetuated through systemic racism and a failure to incorporate Indigenous perspectives or the impacts of colonialism into nursing curricula. We understand as well, the importance of nursing education in shaping the future of health care, and we deeply regret any instance where CASN’s actions contributed to disparities or reinforced colonial structures.

CASN is committed to a process of self-reflection, learning, and transformation. We will take the following steps to address the harms:

1. Anti-Racism, Cultural Safety, and Humility: Promote education, resources, and practices that address anti-Indigenous racism, supporting decolonization, cultural humility, and cultural safety for nursing faculty, staff, and students. Promote institutional policies and processes that address systemic racism to foster an inclusive and equitable learning environment.
2. Curriculum Revision: Promote a review of nursing education curricula to ensure a strengths-based focus and trauma-informed approach, the inclusion of content on the continued impact of colonialism and racism on Indigenous health, as well as Indigenous perspectives on health and well-being.
3. Community Engagement: Establish meaningful partnerships with Indigenous organizations and communities to ensure their voices are heard in shaping nursing education policies and practices.
4. Recruitment and Retention: Promote strategies that create culturally safe and supportive learning environments including pre-admission supports, in-program supports, and services that are developed in partnership with Indigenous communities.
5. Ongoing Accountability: In collaboration with Indigenous partners, establish mechanisms to monitor progress and address concerns raised by partners, Indigenous nursing students, and faculty.

Land Acknowledgement: 

Located on the Health and Human Services  Home Page and the Aurora College Home Page.

We respectfully acknowledge that Aurora College is situated on the traditional territories and homeland of the Dene, Inuit and Métis peoples of the Northwest Territories. We are grateful to the many Indigenous peoples of the NWT for allowing us the opportunity to learn, work and live on their lands. We are also deeply grateful for the generous sharing of Traditional Knowledge, wisdom and ways of knowing, being and doing with our students and employees.

NOTE: All content has been submitted to the respective faculty for validation to ensure accuracy and currency as of the time of posting. The Aurora College Health and Human Services reviewed and approved the document. Managing Editor: Douglas Sinclair: Publisher, Indigenous Watchdog Research Assistant:  Timothy Maton

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