CFNU members commit to reconciliation efforts on final day of national convention

Silas: Anti-Indigenous racism is an urgent patient safety issue that we must stop now.

June 6, 2025 (Niagara Falls, ON) – Members of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) have resolved to immediately start work to meaningfully contribute to reconciliation, while being accountable to Indigenous Peoples and to members. Close to 1,200 union members who attended convention have committed the organization to concrete efforts to address racism against Indigenous patients in the health care system.

“Nurses know the harm that nursing and the health care system has caused to Indigenous Peoples. Today, members pledged to do better with concrete commitments from the CFNU and from each of us as individuals,” explained Linda Silas, President of the CFNU.

Silas explained that member resolutions provide the strongest commitments from the CFNU to pursue work in any area.

The resolution commits the CFNU to create a clear workplan, including:

• Amplifying the Indigenous voices calling for health funding equity for Indigenous community health care services and supporting the implementation of self-determined health systems in partnership with Indigenous communities.
• Calling upon the federal government to make amends by equitably funding First Nations, Inuit and Métis health by 2026.
• Advocating for implementation of the TRC Calls to Action #23 to increase the number of Indigenous nurses working in the health care field by supporting Indigenous-specific positions.
• Advocating for the development of safe, culturally supportive environments for Indigenous nurses, including anti-racism policies.
• Working with Member Organizations to ensure nurses can access Indigenous cultural competency training and nursing curriculums include Indigenous cultural competencies.
• Developing communication and support tools for members to understand and uphold Joyce’s Principle.

“This week marks two steps on CFNU’s journey to reconciliation – an honest and sincere apology to Indigenous Peoples and concrete commitments to do better. We will walk this path together, working to be strong allies and to ensure that Indigenous communities have access to the care they need, and that Indigenous patients know they are safe with us,” said Silas.

The CFNU thanks the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association, teacher and facilitator Rose LeMay and the Indigenous Nurse Advisory Committee members for their guidance and advice on how to do this work in a good way. The CFNU thanks all Indigenous leaders in nursing and other sectors who have lent their expertise to the CFNU on this path.

Learn more about the CFNU’s path to an apology here.

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The CFNU is Canada’s largest nurses’ organization, representing 250,000 frontline unionized nurses and nursing students in every sector of health care – from home care and LTC to community and acute care – and advocating on key priorities to strengthen public health care across the country.

For more information, please contact Adella Khan, media@nursesunions.ca, 613‑807‑2942.