Top 4 nursing students get scholarships
Winners of annual Savanna Pikuyak, Queen Elizabeth II scholarships announced in Iqaluit
Nunavut Arctic College nursing and students Evora Essoh, Kyra Kilabuk and Charity Uche receive the $3,000 Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship at a ceremony Friday in Iqaluit, while pre-health student Tatiana Kalluk-McDonald receives the $5,000 Savanna Pikuyak scholarship. The four students were honoured by Health Minister John Main and Government of Nunavut ministers for being the top students in their program. From left to right holding certificates: Essoh, Kilabuk, the husband of Uche accepting her award on her behalf, and Kalluk-McDonald. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Health)
Four of the top students in Nunavut Arctic College’s nursing and pre-health program have been awarded scholarships for the coming year.
“The Queen Elizabeth II and Savanna Pikuyak scholarships represent the Government of Nunavut’s dedication to cultivating a healthcare workforce from within our own territory,” said Health Minister John Main at a presentation ceremony at Iqaluit’s Frobisher Inn on Friday.
The Savanna Pikuyak scholarship was presented to pre-health student Tatiana Kalluk-McDonald. The scholarship provides $5,000 to a pre-health student to support their studies.
This is the second presentation of the scholarship, an award created in memory of Savanna Pikuyak, a nursing student who moved from Sanirajak to study at Algonquin College in Ottawa in 2022.
Nikolas Ibey, 33, was charged with murder in connection with her death.
The inaugural award in 2022 went to Joni Karoo, a classmate of Pikuyak when she was part of the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program in 2019-20.
Three Queen Elizabeth II scholarships went to Kyra Kilabuk, Evora Essoh and Charity Uche. The scholarship is worth $3,000 and is presented annually to top students in the second, third, and fourth years of the nursing program.
“Training nurses locally provides opportunities for employment and develops a stronger, more culturally informed workforce,” Main said.
“I would like to recognize all of this year’s award recipients for their commitment to pursuing a career in nursing.”
The awards are part of the Department of Health’s financial support to train Nunavummiut nurses.
AJUNGI way to go, we need you. Qujannamiik