Innu Nurse Honored as First Graduates Celebrate

Labrador’s first Innu nurse, Mary Pia Benuen, was honored with an honorary doctor of laws from Memorial University’s Labrador Campus — a milestone that coincided with the graduation of the first nursing master’s program students and fell on her late mother’s birthday. Benuen, who became a nurse 36 years ago, champions the vital role of Innu voices in healthcare, emphasizing that only those from the community truly understand its unique needs. She proudly mentored the new graduates, warning them of challenges while urging perseverance — and now beams with pride as they celebrate their hard-earned degrees. The convocation also honored Arctic and Subarctic Futures master’s graduates, like Victoria Gatehouse and Chelsea Flowers, who praised the opportunity to pursue advanced studies locally, staying rooted in their land and culture. This historic day marks a powerful leap forward for healthcare and education in Labrador, spotlighting the irreplaceable value of Indigenous leadership and local knowledge. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/1be7199358271c87