Otsin: Sharing the spirit--Development of an indigenous rural nursing practice course

Abstract

Otsin is the spirt of Gitxsan Peoples and is reflected by the Gitxsan author sharing the journey in the development of a unique third year undergraduate nursing practice course. The nursing practice course immerses students in a combined rural and an interdisciplinary indigenous nursing practice. The practice course is based on a student centered, context-based teaching pedagogy using a two-eyed seeing approach. The theoretical tenet of place is reconceptualized to reflect Indigenous communities and rural nursing practice. The metaphor of weaving together cedar strips is used to reflect a journey that takes students through the experiences of living and practicing in a rural northern community while embracing on the land experiences, cultural practices, traditions, language and ceremonies. The traditional academy curricula are challenged to broaden the lens beyond the classroom theatre walls to rural, indigenous nursing practice experiences. The weaving of the cedar strips together and allows students to construct their understanding of the impacts of colonization on Indigenous Peoples and an opportunity to be guided by the community to practice cultural safety.