[1] She decided to train as a nurse after spending three years at the sanatorium in Prince Albert recovering from tuberculosis.

Graduating from the program at Holy Family Hospital in 1954, she then worked in rural Saskatchewan, where she reached patients in an emergency via bush plane or dog team.

[2] Goodwill helped establish the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada, and served as the organization's president during the period of 1983 to 1990.

[2] She was the first Aboriginal woman to serve as "special advisor" to the minister of National Health and Welfare in the Canadian federal government; she also worked with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

She also helped to create a Native Access to Nursing Program at the University of Saskatchewan.