“There was a resident who strongly connected to First Nations Spirituality, even though she did not identify as First Nations, Inuit, Métis (FNIM) heritage. We bonded over her interest in Anishnawbe teachings and ceremonies and spent a lot of time talking about our experiences. One day she asked me when the time came to help her in providing a ceremony when she transitioned to the spirit world. Soon after she died, I arrived at Hospice, about 5 a.m., three hours before my scheduled nursing shift. I prepared her body with a cedar bath and sent her off with traditional drum songs and traditional medicine, the best way I knew how. I will never forget our experience together, and felt the greatest honour to be asked to do something like this for another human being. Her family was grateful that her wish was carried out as she hoped. It was one of my most memorable times while nursing thus far, and I hold that experience so dear to my heart. Hospice nursing is so much more than western medicine and medical procedures, it is about the connections you develop with your patients, and what you learn from them.”

- Nurse, Hospice Wellington