On April 10, we celebrate Indigenous Nurses Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the contributions of Indigenous nurses to their communities.

This date is significant as it marks the birth of Edith Monture, a pioneering Mohawk nurse whose legacy continues to inspire.

Born on April 10, 1890, on the Six Nations Reserve near Brantford, Ontario, Edith Monture was the first Indigenous nurse registered in Canada.

Despite facing racial barriers, she pursued her education in the United States, graduating from New Rochelle Nursing School in New York in 1914.

Monture served in the United States Army Nurse Corps during World War I, becoming the first Indigenous woman from Canada to serve in the U.S. military.

After the war, she continued to work as a nurse and midwife on the Six Nations Reserve until her retirement.

Indigenous nurses play a crucial role in delivering culturally sensitive health care, bridging modern medicine and Indigenous knowledge.

They serve a diverse range of patients, including First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous populations.

As we celebrate Indigenous Nurses Day on April 10, let us remember the legacy of Edith Monture and the Indigenous nurses who continue to make a difference. Thank you to all Indigenous nurses for your commitment to caring for your communities with strength and cultural pride.

Photo from CIRA’s Indigenous stock photo library.