Students participating in Bemidji State University’s new Niganawenimaanaanig Program for American Indian nurses gathered as a group for the first time for a conversation with faculty and to achieve the program’s goal of connecting students with well-known indigenous leaders.

Joining the group was Dr. Margaret Moss, assistant dean for diversity and inclusion and associate professor of nursing at the University of Buffalo. She was visiting campus to speak to nursing classes and to deliver an evening presentation, “Health Disparities in Indian Country,” as part of the American Indian Resource Center’s Native American Heritage Month activities.

Students participating in the Niganawenimaanaanig Program—named for an Ojibwe word meaning “we take care of them”— receive scholarships up to $4,000 and monthly stipends of up to $500 for meeting specific program requirements. Students are required to attend weekly meetings and goal-setting sessions with a faculty mentor, participate in scheduled activities and attend assigned tutoring or study sessions.

Niganawenimaanaanig students will meet as a group again during the spring semester.