MATAWA FIRST NATIONS
HEALTH ROLE MODELS
Daisy Sugarhead RN, BScN
Daisy was born in the trapline of Wequawesis in the traditional territory of Nibinamik First Nation. Daisy spent the first nine years of her life in her family’s trapline. At ten years of age, she was sent to the residential school in Moose Factory where she spent the next six years of her life. She graduated from the Geraldton Composite High School. She continued her education by attending the Registered Nursing Assistant program at the Confederation College in Thunder Bay and graduated in 1976. Shortly after, she went back to her home community where she dedicated her time to family life and pursuing her cultural and traditional lifestyle in the bush, along with her children. She accepted a job as a Teacher’s Assistant for three years until she was asked to replace the Community Health Representative. An outpost nurse who came once a week taught her the skills she needed in her work as a CHR. The Health professionals she worked with encouraged her to pursue further training as a registered nurse after recognizing her natural nursing ability. Recognizing that the fur industry was changing and that her family would not be able to make a living out of it, she dreamed of pursuing further education. She applied to the Native Nurses Entry Program at the Lakehead University in 1988 and was accepted. She attended the four year BScN program at the Lakehead University and graduated in 1993. After receiving her registration as a R.N., she went to work at the Sioux Lookout Zone Hospital for the next 17 months. She went on to work as a Nurse in her home community for the next 4 years. After working as a Relief Nurse in Thunder Bay for 2 years, she went onto her current position as a Nurse-in-Charge in the Mishkeegogamang First Nation in Osnaburgh, Ontario where she has worked for the last 7 years. Daisy is a devoted mother of 3 children and has several grandchildren.
Daisy’s grandmother gave her words of wisdom before leaving for residential school which gave her strength and courage. Her grandmother told her to “never forget who you are, hang onto your language and don’t let anyone take away from you what you are as an aboriginal native person.” That message helped her hang onto her identity. Daisy recuperates from her busy work by taking the time to go back into the traditional lifestyle of the land every now and again.
Daisy’s message to the youths and women is “Education is the key to opening many doors of opportunities. Enjoying the work you do is part of living a healthy lifestyle.” Daisy is aware of and recognizes the hardships of pursuing further education, especially as an aboriginal mother with children where the society encourages women to be submissive and are limited in what they can do. She had to overcome many challenges and obstacles to be where she is today. She would like to say to the youths and women, “Dreams are possible to achieve, challenges can be overcome with determination and courage.”
