Manitoba Metis Federation

This is the first in a series of profiles highlighting the successes of our Metis Citizens.

Gitane Ouellet

What do most kids want to be when they grow up? A doctor? A firefighter? For Gitane Ouellet, it was all about Madonna.

"I discovered my people skills were better than my singing abilities," she says.

Ouellet first set her sights on becoming a nurse over 10 years ago when her daughter was born and suffered a brain hemorrhage. Over the span of several months and years, she says she witnessed some skilled hands, caring hearts and open ears and wanted to be a part of it.

She enrolled in the Université de Saint-Boniface diploma of nursing program in 2009.

A bursary from the Louis Riel Institute helped Ouellet on her dream of becoming a nurse and influencing people's lives in a positive way. "Many, many thanks for the generosity of the Louis Riel Institute that's helping me make it happen," she says. "For me this bursary represents financial relief and strengthens my hope for a brighter future."

Ouellet graduates from her three-year program in June and intends to continue on for another year of distance education courses through the University of Ottawa to receive her Bachelor of Nursing degree.

She says receiving the bursary has shown her just how much education is valued at the Louis Riel Institute and would tell others, "The Louis Riel Institute is a dynamic organization that promotes achievement and betterment and is dedicated to supporting individuals who want to enhance their lives through education."

Ouellet is excited to be able to get ahead and contribute positively to society. She will now be able to provide better opportunities and a brighter future for her two children.

"It's been a long road but here I am on the home stretch with my kids cheering me on," she exclaims.

When asked what advice she would give about following your dreams, Ouellet says, "At some point I realized the only thing holding me back from following my dreams was me, not my circumstances. That first giant step was terrifying, but I knew what I wanted and made it work."

The MMF is dedicated to promoting education to Metis citizens. Through its affiliate, the Louis Riel Institute, you can get more information at www.louisrielinstitute.com regarding bursaries and financial assistance.