Indigenous Services Canada
2021 Annual Award of Excellence in Nursing Call for Nominations
Celebrating the dedication, initiative and distinction of nurses who are helping to improve the health of Canada’s First Nations and Inuit.
The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) of Indigenous Services Canada is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Award of Excellence in Nursing.
This award will be presented to three (3) exceptional nurses who provide care to First Nations and/or Inuit clients. Nominees will have demonstrated that they are committed to excellence in professional nursing practice by:
- Consistently using sound judgment at all times when delivering nursing services to individuals, organizations and communities;
- Maintaining professionalism in their treatment of clients and their approach to leadership; and
- Embracing diversity and inclusion in supporting culturally appropriate environment.
Who is Eligible to receive this Award?
The award is open to all Registered Nurses (RNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Registered/Licensed Practical Nurses (R/LPNs) who;
- Have worked the equivalent of two (2) years fulltime in a First Nations or Inuit community; and
- Who are currently employed by First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, a First Nations employer, or working in an Inuit community; and
- Work as frontline nurses.
Completed nomination packages must be received by Monday, March 8, 2021 @ 4:00 p.m. EST.
All nominators and nominees will be notified in April 2021 of the results. We wish to thank everyone involved in the nomination process for taking the time to nominate an outstanding nurse providing direct front-line care in a First Nations or Inuit community.
Nominated candidates will be assessed in two (2) areas:
1. Excellence in People Skills; and
2. Dedication to Leadership, Learning, Professional Development and Cultural Competency.
The members of the Nursing Award Advisory/Selection Committee will evaluate the nomination packages anonymously based on specific criteria. Please review the criteria below and within your nomination assessment form, describe specific examples of how the nominee fulfills them.
Assessment of Merit Criteria Form:
The nominator must complete the attached form summarizing why the nominee should receive this award. Clearly legible, hand-written documentation will also be accepted. Please note: The Selection Committee will evaluate the candidates based on the following mandatory criteria and optional documents.
Please complete the form accordingly.
Merit Criteria:
- Excellence in People Skills: (All 4 criteria)
- Delivers nursing care with integrity and compassion;
- Builds effective relationships with clients, families and community members;
- Active involvement in the community (e.g., partnership with community members, allied health professionals or health leads);
- Demonstrates an ability to unite team members to achieve team and community goals.
- Dedication to Leadership, Learning, Professional Development and Cultural Competency: (All 6 criteria)
- Demonstrates leadership and embraces changing environments;
- Pro-actively coaches or mentors nursing students and other nurses/staff;
- Acts as a role model to inspire others to achieve results and obtain goals;
- Demonstrates a commitment to life-long learning by continuing to study beyond levels required for their position;
- Demonstrates flexibility/adaptability to the changing needs of the community (such as the response to the COVID-19 pandemic);
- Contributes to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action to effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Indigenous traditional healing practices and use them in the treatment of Indigenous clients.
Optional documents
- Letters of reference or support. These letters should include the following information;
- Who you are (your name, title and organization if any)
- Your connection with the person you are recommending and the dates in which you knew the nominee
- The specific skills they have (referencing the merit criteria listed above).
- A signature and the date the letter was written
Please include nominee’s name, title and organization on all documentation.
The Award of Excellence in Nursing will be presented to the three (3) recipients during National Nursing Week. A virtual Ceremony will be held on Monday, May 10, 2021. Each recipient of the award will receive a framed certificate, as well as a gift to commemorate this special occasion.
Mandatory documents for a complete nomination package submission:
- Copy of candidate/nominee’s current resume
- Signed and completed “Nomination Form” by the nominator as well as signed by the candidate/nominee (handwritten or digital signature option available)
NOTE: Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered. Please include candidate/nominees full name, title and organization on all documentation.
Nominees will be evaluated by a Selection Committee only on the information provided within this package.
Optional documents:
- Letters of reference (provided by a supervisor, manager, colleague, etc.) and/or
- Letters of support (provided by a community member or leadership, colleague, client etc.)
- Letters of reference or support would be strengthened by referencing the merit criteria as outlined in the Call for Nominations.
All completed nomination packages with supporting materials must be received either by mail, fax or email by: Monday, March 8, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. EST to :
NOTE: if mailed, ensure the package is date stamped by March 8, 2021.
c/o Chantal Rochon
FNIHB 2021 Annual Award of Excellence in Nursing
Indigenous Services Canada
200 Eglantine Driveway, Jeanne Mance Building - Tunney’s Pasture
Address locator 1916B, Room 1619B
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Tel : (613) 797-4166 Fax: (613) 948-2642
Email: sac.fnihbrecognition-dgspnireconnaissance.isc@canada.ca
*Information collected is strictly confidential and will not be shared without the nominee’s permission*
Here are the link where you can find the call for nomination and award form.