First Nations and Inuit Health Careers Program

Health professionals play a vital role in maintaining, promoting and improving the lives of Canadians. With the First Nations and Inuit Health Careers Program, which was created in 1984, we are working to increase the number of First Nations, Inuit and Métis health professionals in Canada. In fact, in 2007-2008 we awarded over $1.3 million in bursaries and scholarships to Aboriginal health care students.

The program has five components:

1. Career-related employment to introduce Aboriginal health care students to health careers in real-world settings, such as hospitals and nursing stations.

   How to apply? Health care students should contact a regional office and express their interest in career-related employment. Programs are different in each region, so it is important for students to become familiar with what is available in their province or territory.

   In addition, students should check out these opportunities to get experience in the health field:

   • Public Service Commission of Canada's jobs for students and recent graduates; and
   • Student Employment at Health Canada.
2. Community-based activities, such as field trips to health facilities and summer science camps.
3. Health careers bursaries and scholarships, administered by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation on behalf of Health Canada.

   How to apply? Visit the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation's website to get your application package today!

4. Health career promotion, such as the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation's Blueprint for the Future career fairs.
5. Partnerships with post-secondary institutions, for example, to start up access programs supporting Aboriginal students' enrollment in health care studies.

For more information on the First Nations and Inuit Health Careers Program, please contact your nearest regional office.