Indigenous Health

First Nations, Inuit and Métis are distinct Peoples with their own unique histories, languages, cultures and beliefs.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples’ health and well-being are impacted by all social determinants of health, in addition to ongoing impacts of colonization and anti-Indigenous racism.   Social determinants have a significant impact on disease and recovery experiences within Indigenous communities. The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health has published a social determinants framework to expand on this further.

CNA works to advance Indigenous health and nursing through its partnership accord with the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association (CINA), the Indigenous Research Chairs in Nursing, members of our Indigenous Relations Action Council (IRAC), and through its Canadian Network of Nursing Specialties.

CNA has a responsibility to uphold the health-related Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Read more about our commitment to reconciliation.

Further, CNA strongly supports Joyce's Principle, Jordan’s Principle and the Inuit Child First Initiative, as well as any other relevant campaigns, initiatives, and legislation that addresses health and social inequities faced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples and communities.

CNA resources

Anti-Indigenous Racism Knowledge Sharing Event 2025: Learn more about and watch the video from this groundbreaking initiative aimed at sharing distinctions-based historical contexts and lived experiences, and addressing anti-Indigenous racism within nursing and health systems.

The Role of Nurses in Indigenous Health Care: Watch this video to learn about the essential role that nurses play in Indigenous health care: learning from the past, recognizing both the strengths and challenges that exist in the present, and striving for much needed systemic change in the future.

The Path: Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada (coming soon!): This self-paced, on demand learning opportunity includes six modules plus a nursing-specific lesson co-developed with First Nations, Inuit and Métis nurse leaders that focuses on addressing anti-Indigenous racism in nursing and health systems.

Canadian Academy of Nursing Indigenous Leaders Series:  The intent of the series is to seek the wisdom and teaching of Indigenous leaders who can help us have honest confrontations and conversations to identify colonial or other excluding structures within CNA and across nursing.

Nursing Declaration Against Anti-Indigenous Racism in Nursing and Health Care [PDF, 329.8 KB]

Promoting Cultural Competence in Nursing [PDF, 1.7 MB], a CNA position statement that outlines the importance of cultural competence and cultural safety in promoting health equity.

Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety in Nursing Education: A Framework for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nursing [PDF, 591.9 KB], a report jointly developed by CNA, CINA (A.N.A.C.) and the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing.