My name is Ruby O'tennadzahe and I am beginning the Bachelor of Nursing program at Red River College (RRC) Polytechnic. I'm Dene, and I'm originally from the remote northern community of Lac Brochet and a member of Northlands Denesuline First Nation.

While attending high school in Morden, Manitoba, I was fortunate to be able to be involved in the Indigenous Health High School Internship Program at our local hospital. At only 15 years old, I was given the opportunity to job shadow health care employees in many type of positions within the hospital. I found an affinity to the work of a health care aide and continued, after my internship, as an employee. I continued to work in the role of Health Care Aide, and I still do today.

I've gained a lot of confidence in myself through my work and through the guidance and encouragement I've experienced from my colleagues and from my family. Last year I attempted to return to post-secondary learning and attended the Pathway to Health Care Programs at RRC Polytechnic. Having successfully completed this program, I now know that I want to complete the Bachelor of Nursing program. It would be my dream to be able to provide respectful and supportive, comprehensive care to all people. I'm very glad for the mentor partners I've had along the way both from my Dene family and home community, and my local coworkers and supporters.

My pay it forward plan involves returning to my home community, to the school where I spent my earliest years as a learner, and to share Shannen's story with the children there, as well as to share other books and resources that encourage children to use their voices as strong advocates for their dreams.