Hometown: Regina, SK
Band: White Bear First Nation
Program: Saskatchewan Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (SCBScN) degree
Cole is working towards a nursing degree so he can make a positive impact on the health and wellness of Indigenous communities in northern Saskatchewan. For him, nursing is an honourable profession and he is proud of his educational journey.
"We, as Indigenous individuals, have little representation in the health-care system," says Cole, a First Nations man. "This strongly affects our families and communities. If you are an Indigenous student considering this career path, I highly suggest you apply to the SCBScN program."
Cole says adjusting from high school to postsecondary wasn't easy, but he found the people and services at Sask Polytech helped him cultivate success in his first year.
"The environment at Sask Polytech is quite different than any other school I have attended. The students, classes, and staff are culturally compassionate, and provide services built on students succeeding. This positive space has helped me through my first semester at Sask Polytech," says Cole.
As he continues the four-year program, Cole says he's looking forward to learning more from the Elders at the Indigenous Students' Centre.
"My advocates and Elder have helped me grow as a person," says Cole. "When I used these services, I learned not only about how to better my academic skills, but also about myself and my culture."
The SCBScN program is run jointly by Sask Polytech and the U of R.