The Fireside Chat with Indigenous nurse leaders, held on Nov. 27, 2025, at the Anish Healing Centre, was a collaborative gathering co-led by Dr. Lisa Bourque Bearskin from the University of Victoria and Wanda Phillips-Beck from the College of Nursing, both serving as Indigenous Nursing Research Chairs in their respective regions.
With support from the dean and the College of Nursing, the event brought together seasoned Indigenous nurse leaders and the younger generation of Indigenous nurses in a shared, intergenerational dialogue grounded in ceremony, connection and community.
Through storytelling, reflection and an open exchange of experiences, the leaders offered guidance on navigating systems, leadership, advancing cultural safety and upholding the TRC Calls to Action. This partnership created a supportive space to strengthen confidence, nurture leadership pathways, and inspire emerging nurses to step into roles that will shape the future of Indigenous health and drive meaningful change across healthcare, education and community.
The Anish Healing Centre is a warm, beautifully adorned, and inviting space dedicated to advancing truth and reconciliation by offering a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. It provided a space to come together in a spirit of connection and shared purpose.