Inez Louis remembers the conversations her grandparents would have around the kitchen table. They discussed the needs of their Nation so that they could become self-reliant. These conversations resonated with Inez and impacted her decision to become more involved in the health care field.

"One thing became clear, my Nation cannot move forward without the holistic health of my Nation", shares Inez. "I kept hearing about health."  Health became her calling.

Inez graduated from the UBC School of Nursing in 2006 and encourages anybody – not just the youth –to get into nursing if that is their passion.  Inez is now the Nursing Supervisor with the Sto:lo Service Agency where she is proud to be serving her community of Skowkale First Nation and other Sto:lo communities.   

Although Inez notes that much of her job is a desk job, she is there for her staff, to consult and advise on other organizational priorities, primarily the health clinic.  Inez is also co-chair of the Chilliwack Region Overdose Crisis Action Team (also known as OCAT), a 45- member team that works collectively on the opioid overdose crisis. She is concerned about the statistics related to First Nations and the crisis. 

Helping people has always been of interest to Inez. She understands the challenges and hardships that some clients experience, so she and her staff will meet clients at their homes or wherever they feel most comfortable. This is part of being committed to cultural safety and humility when working in community.  "Relationship-building is the foundation, shares Inez. "Because I am from community, people know me … they know my parents".

In her spare time, Inez is an avid war canoe competitor and can be seen attending pow-wows, beading and sewing.  She loves spending time with her family and is expecting a child later this year.  With an expected maternity leave, Inez hopes more community members become interested in joining the field of nursing. 

Thank you Inez, for all your hard work and best wishes with the maternity.