CRNM Public Apology to First Nations, Inuit and Métis

Delivered May 13, 2026

First Nations, Inuit and Métis inherent rights to self-determination, health, equal health care, and freedom from discrimination must be respected and upheld. Anti-Indigenous racism, and the rupture of treaty relationships designed to protect these and other inherent rights, have had insidious effects on the foundation of our settler-colonial health care system causing great harm both now and in the past.

The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (the College) is profoundly sorry for its role in perpetuating, and its failure to act in response to, harms experienced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis, both as a result of our work as a regulatory body and the conduct of those nurses we regulate.

This apology is long overdue. Even though ample evidence of the harms of systemic racism affecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis community members and nurses has long been available, we have not acted – consistently, responsibly, or with the level of urgency or commitment required. We have failed to act in ways that would have guided the education and practice of registered nurses serving First Nations, Inuit and Métis towards two of the most central tenets of health care: to help and to do no harm. This can and must change.

Manitoba was the first province in Canada to recognize registered nursing as a profession in 1913. However, this recognition came about in a way that further privileged colonial, Western perspectives with devastating impacts. Registered nurses were present in colonial systems such as residential schools, in Indian hospitals, and past health and social programs that caused grievous physical, cultural, and spiritual harm, very often without advocating for the wellbeing of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. As the professional body for registered nurses in Manitoba, we did not effectively advocate or seek to drive change that would have lessened the harm and burden experienced by Indigenous communities and community members.

We appreciate that registered nurses and nurse practitioners have significant power and influence in the health system and are integral to the provision of health care. With this comes a responsibility to ensure that care is inclusive, appropriately informed, culturally safe, and upholds essential human dignity.

Our duty as a regulator is to protect and serve the public and to uphold standards for patient safety. We have endeavoured to do this by setting forth and enforcing standards, and by providing resources that support safe registered nursing and nurse practitioner practice. However, countless reports published in Manitoba make it clear we have failed to do so in a way that adequately responds to First Nations, Inuit and Métis continued experiences of racism, discrimination and abuse in our health care system, and the substantially poorer health outcomes that result.

To all First Nations, Inuit and Métis, we affirm our deep sorrow for the harms that you and your ancestors have experienced, and the intergenerational effects that our actions and inactions have caused or contributed to. We realize we have much work to do, and that an apology alone is not enough to affect change.

We commit ourselves to moving forward in a spirit of reconciliation that is founded in building trust and in sustaining strong, collaborative, and caring relationships and partnerships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, organizations, individuals and health care providers. We will strive towards effective allyship and support distinctions-based approaches to policymaking and process reform.

We pledge to become anti-racist in our work and to support the registered nurses and nurse practitioners we regulate in addressing racism affecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients, their families, and colleagues in health care. We will speak out against barriers and racism that inhibit Indigenous health and wellbeing.

We commit to this journey with great humility, understanding we have much more to learn and that we will inevitably make mistakes despite our best efforts. However uncomfortable it may be to recognize racism in ourselves and others, we will acknowledge these mistakes and learn from them.

We dedicate ourselves to being guided by Indigenous perspectives in all aspects of our work, and to broaden opportunities for Indigenous participation and belonging as part of our staff, committees and governance structures.

We will respond meaningfully and constructively to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the Calls for Justice included in the final report of the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls through the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan.

We would like to acknowledge and profoundly thank those First Nations, Inuit and Métis Elders, knowledge carriers, nurses and partners who have shared with us the gift of their knowledge, wisdom and truths. Their commitment, honesty and courage in working with us, to help us both learn and unlearn has been, and always will be deeply appreciated.