“At 23, in a course on population health, I learned that some First Nations communities didn’t have drinking water. I was ashamed of my ignorance, especially as a Wolastoqey woman,” Wallace, then a bachelor of nursing student at the Université de Moncton, recalls. “That very evening, I read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report, which had just been published. It was such a shock that I decided to refocus my studies in order to improve First Nations health and wellness.”
She enrolled in the master’s of nursing program at the University of Ottawa and met Professor Marilou Gagnon, who became her thesis supervisor. “Marilou believed in me and really pushed me forward. I wanted to understand why First Nations suffered such health-care inequalities and racism, so I spent two years reading about Indigenous health, racism in health care, and cultural competency and safety. I ended up writing a thesis on Indigenous cultural competency in nursing education, to improve training,” Wallace, now back in the New Brunswick community where she grew up, clearly recalls.
“My master’s also allowed me to better understand my identity and be proud of it.” In a few years, Wallace hopes to be able to address others in Wolastoqey, her ancestral language.
“I also realized to what extent the educational system is partially responsible for the erasure of our history. It’s essential that Indigenous people have access to postsecondary education to change things and fight racism at all levels.”
“My master’s allowed me to better understand my identity and be proud of it.”
Isabelle Wallace (BScN '18)
COVID-19 and technology
After receiving her master’s, Wallace worked in the area of First Nations and Inuit health-care policy, but soon felt the desire to be out in the field again because, as she says, “I was missing a lot of life experience.”
She adds: “The COVID-19 pandemic started during my contract in northern Quebec with the Inuit. I went for two weeks and stayed for three months. I had to learn everything on the job, but I had great colleagues who taught me about the broader role of primary health car in a northern setting. This experience opened my eyes to reality. It totally changed me.”
In this difficult situation, Wallace discovered how useful technology could be to Indigenous communities, which experience blatant disparities in accessibility to primary health care. “Since I’ve returned to my community, I’ve been able to get two screening tools. I dream of being able to offer primary health care on a broader scale using technology in a racism-free, culturally safe way.”
In December 2023, Wallace had an opportunity to join Indigenous Services Canada. “As national program co-ordinator of Indigenous Services Canada’s Public Health Surge Team, I oversee public health service delivery to First Nations and Inuit communities across Canada, mobilizing nurses and epidemiologists to meet pressing needs during infectious disease outbreaks.”
Clearly, Isabelle Wallace has much reason to be proud.
“I hope to inspire young Indigenous people to become nurses, because it’s important that Indigenous populations can be served by Indigenous staff who take into account their culture and spirituality.”
Isabelle Wallace (BScN ’18)
Indigenous Alumni Council
The Indigenous Alumni Council was created in winter 2021 by the uOttawa Office of Indigenous Affairs and the Alumni Relations Office. It’s comprised of alumni from across Canada reflecting the diversity of Indigenous peoples who have studied at the University.
“Through my participation in the council, I hope to inspire young Indigenous people to become nurses, because it’s important that Indigenous populations can be served by Indigenous staff who take into account their culture and spirituality,” says Wallace.
Indeed, it was in school that she herself came into contact with a whole network of Indigenous nurses. “Meeting them, I felt I really belonged, and I want to pay it forward now. Because there’s strength in unity,” she says.
Council members’ responsibilities include supporting Indigenous students and alumni and shaping the University’s engagement with Indigenous communities, in the light of uOttawa’s Indigenous Action Plan.