Director of Indigenous Health Advocacy - Makayla Mantla

My name is Makayla Mantla, a 29-year-old Indigenous student in my 2nd year of nursing at the U of A. Growing up I felt embarrassed and ashamed to call myself Indigenous because I believed Indigenous people were not smart or capable of attending University because I never saw successful Indigenous people. I graduated high school in 2012 and for 7 years I was unable to attend University because I had to devote my time to supporting my large family my parents and 4 younger siblings financially, it was more important to me that my family was able to have food on the table. Attending the CNSA and running for the Director of Indigenous Health and Advovcy was the best decision I ever made because while giving my first speech I remembered this dream I had since I was a little girl. I wanted to become a motivational speaker for the younger Indigenous generation of Canada. At this conference is where I was able to meet the Chief Nursing Officer fo Canada and she invited me to attend a conference with her and give a 10-15 minute speech. I believe I have a gift and I need to use my voice, and my personal story to motivate the Indigenous people of Canada. Thank you for helping make my dream become a reality. 

https://www.ualberta.ca/nursing/nursing-news/2022/may/nursing-transition-year-program.html

https://albertanursing.ca/aan-conference-speakers/

indigenoushealth@cnsa.ca