This year marks 10 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released its final report. The Commission's final report and 94 calls to action are a testament to the courage of every survivor and family member who shared their story.
With the purpose of protecting the public by promoting safe nursing practice, the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), is dedicated to embedding cultural safety, humility and respect into nursing regulation. CNO’s Code of Conduct is informed by the Ontario Human Rights Code and recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.
CNO is committed to advancing the report’s calls to action—specifically, Calls to Action 22, 23 and 24. As one part of the system that works with many partners in health care, we know we are in a privileged position to effect change for Indigenous Peoples.
This work has value—and it is long overdue. We are looking at our role and exploring ways of supporting all of Ontario’s nurses to understand approaches for supporting Indigenous health. We plan to engage with academic institutions to ensure their programs include Indigenous health issues. As well, we continue to educate our staff members about improving cultural safety in our work, such as in engagement with nurses and system partners and in the development of standards of practice.
These are just a few examples, as we know that this is a learning journey—for us as an organization, and for every nurse.
CNO is committed to fostering stronger relationships to better understand cultural safety from the perspective of Indigenous Peoples. We are listening to Indigenous voices, learning from their experiences, and sharing information about supporting care that honours the spiritual and cultural dimensions of healing.
In the video below, Nicole Blackman, RN and Christi-Ann Poulette, RN, Indigenous leaders from the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council, share their perspectives on traditional healing and how we can support reconciliation every day.
Kindest regards,
Silvie Crawford, RN – Registrar & CEO
Truth and Reconciliation: Culture is Healing
Resources
To nurture meaningful reconciliation, it is important that we continue to learn and unlearn by reading, listening and watching. Here are a few resources to explore:
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action 22, 23 and 24
22. We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.
23. We call upon all levels of government to: i. Increase the number of Aboriginal professionals working in the health-care field. ii. Ensure the retention of Aboriginal health-care providers in Aboriginal communities. iii. Provide cultural competency training for all healthcare professionals.
24. We call upon medical and nursing schools in Canada to require all students to take a course dealing with Aboriginal health issues, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, and Indigenous teachings and practices. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.