NNPBC recognizes that prior to colonial contact, Indigenous nations had well established systems of health and wellness that supported the people and the environment in which they lived. We recognize the ongoing legacy of colonial policy and its direct link to dismantling Indigenous systems of governance, health, knowledge, and ways of life. NNPBC also recognize that this has created a marginalized system of health care for Indigenous peoples that is entrenched in inequities and systemic disadvantage and understand that this system has profoundly compromised the physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual well-being of Indigenous peoples and communities.
The profession of nursing is situated within the inequitable system that continues to cause harm to Indigenous peoples’ health and wellness. Individual BC nurses and nurse practitioners in any practice setting have opportunities to recognize and address these systemic issues that impact the care provided to Indigenous individuals, families and communities. NNPBC is committed to identifying mechanisms to optimize the full participation of nurses in confronting, challenging and changing these inequities and thereby fulfilling its professional mandate to advance the practice of nursing in order to improve the care of all members of society.
Recognizing the enormity of the ongoing legacy of policy practices on the life and health status of the Indigenous populations, NNPBC commits to playing its part within the shared and ongoing responsibility of the citizenry, our elected officials and our public institutions, including the professions, to advocate for and to help to develop health policy that challenges the status quo and contributes to a brighter future in which all people of our society can thrive.
NNPBC and its predecessor professional nursing associations have taken a number of actions to date that represent our collective commitment in realizing this vision. These include:
- Creating a designated appointed Indigenous Board Director from the pool of Indigenous councillors. The position is to ensure ongoing informed representation on matters affecting Indigenous health, Indigenous nurses and nurse practitioners, and the health of Indigenous peoples of British Columbia.
- Building capacity for Indigenous leadership and engagement by advocating at the local, provincial and national levels of nursing and nurse practitioner associations and nursing professional regulatory bodies.
- Committing to developing and maintaining a voluntary self-disclosure of Indigenous ancestry on the membership application to be able to reach out the Indigenous nurses and nurse practitioners to participate in strengthening the Indigenous nursing voice.
- Initiating and supporting a team whereby NNPBC members working in the area of Indigenous health are recognized as expert voices for providing advice to NNPBC on matters related to Indigenous health nursing practice and policy.
- Preparing resolutions with respect to issues associated with Indigenous health to the NNPBC Annual General Meeting
- Continuing to address institutional racism and institutional racism and barriers encountered by Indigenous people
This Statement of Commitment communicates our intention to continue to reflect on, develop, and refine the approaches we take including the resources allocated towards acknowledging and practicing cultural humility with in our profession so that we can effectively contribute to addressing and changing health inequities within our society.
NNPBC’s offices are on the traditional and unceded territories of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7meshulh Temíx̱ w, Səl ̓ ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and Syilx Nations. NNPBC humbly acknowledges all the unceded and traditional territories that we live, work, learn, and play on for which we are eternally grateful.