Nursing students receive Indigenous Achievement Awards
Five College of Nursing students receive USask Indigenous Student Achievement Awards.
At Marquis Hall on the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Saskatoon Campus on March 10th, five College of Nursing students were celebrated for receiving Indigenous Student Achievement Awards, honouring Indigenous students from across USask for their academic achievement, community engagement, leadership, research and resiliency.
Loressa Sewap (She/Her)
Resiliency Award
From: Deschambault Lake, SK
Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Current Location: Saskatoon
Loressa Sewap, from Deschambault Lake, Sask., is completing her final semester at the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing. Her journey reflects exceptional resilience, strength, and dedication to her community. Despite significant academic, personal, and systemic challenges, Loressa has persisted with determination and grace.
Throughout her nursing education, Loressa consistently demonstrated leadership rooted in humility and service. She acted as a quiet, yet powerful, advocate for Indigenous peoples, educating peers about the diversity of Indigenous cultures in Saskatchewan. She offered this guidance respectfully and without seeking recognition, embodying true servant leadership.
Loressa’s commitment to nursing is deeply personal. She grew up caring for her sister, who has cerebral palsy, supporting her grandfather, and providing comfort care to an uncle before his passing. These early experiences shaped her calling to care for others, particularly those who share her cultural background or come from underserved communities. In every patient she encounters, she sees someone’s family and strives to give the kind of compassionate, respectful care she would want her own relatives to receive.
Her path to becoming a registered nurse has not been easy. Loressa worked tirelessly to meet prerequisite requirements, adapted to significant lifestyle changes, and managed strained family relationships, while helping raise her young nephew. She often felt she had to work harder to prove her competence and navigated grievances and difficult moments, all while staying focused on her education and long-term goals.
Despite these obstacles, Loressa has remained steadfast. She continues to push forward, driven by the people she has helped and those she is determined to advocate for in the future. Her perseverance, cultural strength, and unwavering commitment to her community make her an excellent recipient in the category of Resiliency.
Shanelle Sewap-Custer (She/Her)
Resiliency Award
From: Deschambault Lake, SK
Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Current Location: Saskatoon
Shanelle Sewap-Custer is a proud nîhithaw iskwew (Woodland Cree Woman) from Deschambault Lake, and a member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. She is in her second year of nursing at USask, committed to advancing health equity within her community. After five consecutive years of post-secondary education, including spring and summer terms, she continues to pursue her goals with resilience, discipline, and purpose.
Throughout her academic journey, Shanelle has balanced challenging nursing and health studies with family responsibilities, personal loss, and maintaining her commitments beyond the classroom. She has contributed to Indigenous’ Students Union on campus and remains passionate about public relations, mentorship, and creating supportive spaces for Indigenous students.
Outside of academics, Shanelle trains in Muay Thai and mixed martial arts, where she has developed mental toughness and confidence that carry into all areas of her life. She is also deeply committed to supporting her two younger siblings while pursuing her education.
Shanelle believes challenges are not barriers but opportunities for growth. Her journey has taught her the importance of perseverance — to not give up, no matter what life places in your path. She hopes her story encourages other Indigenous students to remain steadfast in their goals, even when the road feels long.
Looking ahead, Shanelle aspires to become a nurse who advocates for culturally safe care and works to address systemic barriers faced by Indigenous patients. She is also committed to deepening her knowledge of the “TH” Woodland Cree Dialect language and culture as part of her lifelong journey of identity, learning, and reconnection.
Wyatt Roach (He/Him)
Community Engagement Award
From: Lloydminster, SK
Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Current Location: Lloydminster
Wyatt Roach is a Métis nursing student in his third year at the College of Nursing Lloydminster distributed site. As a mature student and father to a young son, he balances family, work, and academics with impressive commitment, maintaining an exceptional 86.47% cumulative average.
Wyatt contributes meaningfully to both campus and community life. As a student ambassador for the USask Community of Indigenous Nurses, he offers leadership, mentorship, and strong public-speaking skills in classrooms, clinical settings, and student initiatives. He is quick to volunteer and consistently encourages and supports peers, patients, and community members.
In Lloydminster, Wyatt actively gives back through volunteer work at the Olive Tree, where he prepares meals and food hampers and helps collect donations for the local food bank. He also engages in Indigenous cultural activities at Lakeland College, including teepee raising, powwows, and ceremonies.
Wyatt’s dedication, compassion, and community-minded leadership make him an exemplary recipient for this Community Engagement Award.
Kadence Vickers (She/Her)
Academic Achievement Award
From: Regina, SK
Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Current Location: Saskatoon
Kadence Vickers is a proud Métis student from Regina, Sask., currently in her third year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Campus. Throughout her studies, Kadence has demonstrated exceptional academic dedication, consistently achieving top grades and maintaining the highest cumulative average among all self-declared USask Indigenous nursing students in the province. Her strong work ethic, discipline, and commitment to excellence set her apart as an outstanding scholar within USask College of Nursing.
Kadence’s academic accomplishments have been recognized through multiple prestigious awards, including the 2025 Sutherland First Nations Student Award and the 2025 University of Saskatchewan Scholarship. These honours acknowledge her remarkable scholastic performance and potential for future impact in the field of healthcare.
With a clear vision for her career, Kadence has plans to continue her education and pursue advanced practice as a nurse practitioner, driven by a passion for providing high-quality care and serving her community.
Kadence embodies academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and the determination to excel – qualities that make her a deserving recipient in the category of Academic Achievement.
Brianne Tolley-Procyk (She/Her)
Academic Achievement Award
From: Prince Albert, SK
Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Current Location: Prince Albert
Brianne Tolley‑Procyk is a proud Métis student from Prince Albert, Sask., currently in her third year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Saskatchewan Prince Albert Campus. She is a member of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan Western Region 2, with familial roots in St. Louis and Batoche, Sask.
Throughout her studies, Brianne has distinguished herself through exceptional academic achievement and a dedication to her nursing education. Her strong work ethic and consistent pursuit of excellence have positioned her as an outstanding student in the College of Nursing.
Looking ahead, Brianne plans to convocate in 2027 and pursue a career in obstetrics and maternity, driven by a passion for supporting families and providing compassionate, culturally informed care.
She extends her sincere gratitude to the College of Nursing and the USask Prince Albert Campus for this honour and for their continued support of her academic journey.
“Congratulations to our 2026 Indigenous Student Achievement Award recipients Loressa, Shanelle, Wyatt, Kadence, and Brianne,” said College of Nursing Dean Dr. Solina Richter (DCur).
“These students have demonstrated remarkable resilience, commitment to their communities, and outstanding academic achievement. Their nominations and awards are well‑deserved acknowledgments of their hard work. We are proud to have them represent the College of Nursing, and I am excited to see the contributions they will make in their future careers.”
The University of Saskatchewan celebrates Métis, First Nations, and Inuit students, staff, faculty, and alumni successes annually during Indigenous Achievement Week. The 2026 celebration was hosted March 9th - 13th.
Together we will support and inspire students to succeed. We invite you to join by supporting current and future students' needs at USask.
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