Every year the Ontario Nurses’ Association hosts a Human Rights and Equity Caucus. It is an opportunity for ONA members to come together to focus on education and to create an awareness of the human rights and equity issues occurring in their workplaces and communities.
Members can hope to find support in any of the five equity groups, as they challenge discriminatory practices within the health-care system. The five equity groups are:
- Francophone Members
- Indigenous Members
- LGBTQ2IS Members
- Members with disabilities
- Racialized Members
ONA members from these groups are able to meet in smaller caucuses to share stories, identify common issues, provide support, and share strategies that will assist them in their places of work.
The Caucus also provides an opportunity for ONA members who are allies and friends in the fight against discrimination to show support and solidarity for their colleagues, to share their insights, and to take part in the solutions.
2023 Human Rights and Equity Caucus
The 2023 Human Rights and Equity Caucus will be held on Monday, November 6, 2023 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto. The theme for this year’s Caucus is Building Bridges: Championing Diversity, Promoting Inclusion and Creating Equitable Communities.
2023 Human Rights and Equity Caucus Subsidies
A limited number of subsidies are available to ONA members with entitlements who belong to one of the Equity Seeking Groups, including Allies.
The subsidy application period has closed. Successful subsidy applicants will be notified by email by August 17, 2023
2022 Caucus Agenda
| Time (EST) | Agenda Item |
|---|---|
| 0730 | Sunrise Ceremony – optional |
| 0800 | Zoom Digital Waiting Room – opens |
| 0830 | Meeting Commences |
| 0835 | Indigenous Land Recognition |
| 0840 | Welcome from Cathryn Hoy, President and Dawn Armstrong, Vice-President Region 1, HRE Portfolio |
| 0855 | Speaker: Kelly Brownbill Reconciliation defined; Calls to Action in Healthcare |
| 0930 | Break – Screening #1 Blood & Water – Layla Staats |
| 1000 | Speaker: Daniel Stevens Land Acknowledgement/Treaty Education |
| 1145 | Lunch (Includes performance by Layla Staats) |
| 1245 | Introduction to Communities of Support and breakout sessions |
| 1300 | Equity Group Breakout sessions:
|
| 1430 | Break – Screening #2 Blood & Water – Layla Staats |
| 1500 | Speaker: Darrel McLeod What does Reconciliation Mean to you |
| 1620 | Wrap up |
| 1700 | Adjourn |
Additional Resources
- ONA’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Action Plan
- ARAO Community and Group Engagement Guidelines (English)
- ARAO Community and Group Engagement Guidelines (French)
- 27 Tips on What to Say and Do When Working Effectively With Indigenous Peoples
- 23 Tips on What Not to Say or Do When Working Effectively With Indigenous Peoples
- The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is the permanent archive for the statements, documents and other materials the Commission gathered, and its library and collections are the foundation for ongoing learning and research.
- “Nursing and Indigenous peoples’ health: reconciliation in practice” by Maureen Fitzhenry
- Indigenous Ally Toolkit from the Montreal Urban Aboriginal Community Strategy Network
- Indigenous Canada is an Open Online Course from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores the histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada.
