Carrie Pratt is a Métis student from Birch Hills, Saskatchewan. She is in the 2^ndyear of a MScN (Master of Science in Nursing) program at the University of Saskatchewan focusing on improving Indigenous women and family’s birth experiences. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2016 she practiced Nursing in Hafford, SK before returning to school in 2017. Her research is part of a larger project under the supervision of Dr. Angela Bowen that examines Culturally Safe Birthing in Saskatchewan. Carrie's research project, "Indigenous Women’s Perspectives for Culturally Secure Birth" uses narrative inquiry to better understand the experiences and stories of Saskatchewan Indigenous women who have given birth in hospital between January 2017 and July 2018. The goal of this study is to improve cultural safety and access to cultural care for Indigenous mothers in Saskatchewan hospitals when experiencing labour and birth.

Carrie is the 2018 recipient of the SK-IMN Mentee Scholarship. This award is $16,000 at the Masters level or $20,000 at the PhD level and provided by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies' in-kind contribution to the Mentorship Network. 

Cindy Deschenes is from the Kitigan Zibi and Kitiganik Algonquin communities in Quebec. She is in the 3rd year of her PhD program in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology under the supervision of Dr. Sarah Oosman. Cindy has a Bachelor of Health Science in Addictions (University of Lethbridge '08), a Masters of Social Work (University of Calgary, '11), RSW and CLL. Her research project, "Coyote's Dream: Restoring Balance and Harmony through Leadership Development, examines the impact of leadership development on mental health and wellbeing with school aged children, their families and the adults who serve them."

Cindy is the 2018 recipient of the SK-IMN College of Medicine Award. This award is $24,000 at the PhD level and provided by the College of Medicine's in-kind contribution to the Mentorship Network.

Thank you to all who applied - the next round of SK-IMN applications and awards will be announced in early 2019! Sign up for our mailing list or check out the mentorship opportunities page for more information.