Anti-Racism Statement

Grounded in the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing vision to uphold integrity, social justice, unconditional positive regard, and the pursuit of human potential, the USask College of Nursing seeks to strengthen and extend these principles to ensure education empowers us to pave a path toward collective community wellbeing through promoting equity, justice, healing, and wahkohtowin.

We acknowledge both healthcare and educational systems have been shaped by colonial histories that continue to produce systemic inequities. We recognize the historical and ongoing harm experienced by students due to racism, discrimination, and inequity. We commit to addressing these harms with intention and transparency.

The College of Nursing adheres to the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) competencies and standards and remains accountable to Canadian human rights legislation and professional codes of ethics. We uphold the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 24 - striving to cultivate a culture of reconciliation, anti-racism, and anti-discrimination across our curriculum and everyday practices.

Moving forward, we will challenge racism in all its forms; interpersonal, institutional, and structural, while fostering a culture rooted in allyship, accountability, collaboration, and transformative change. We acknowledge this work is neither linear nor easy; it will be challenging, uncomfortable, and humbling. Even so, we commit to ongoing reflection, to addressing inequities within the college, and to creating meaningful change for everyone in our learning community. We expect every member and student associated with the College of Nursing to collectively foster accountability within ourselves and each other.

We also commit to strengthening our partnerships with students. Our goal is to cultivate collaborative learning environments and actively confront discrimination and dismantle systemic barriers, while instilling resilience in our students, and teaching them to take meaning in situations. We will prepare future nurses to deliver culturally responsive, inclusive, and anti-racist care. By leading through example and embedding equity, justice, and wahkohtowin into all areas of nursing education and practice, we aim to shape a profession that not only provides exceptional care, but drives meaningful change toward a more just and equitable society.

As of January 29, 2026, this statement is awaiting approval by College of Nursing Faculty Council.

Student Reporting of Mistreatment, Harassment, Discrimination, and Racism

This section is dedicated to supporting students who have experienced or witnessed mistreatment, harassment, or racism and want to share their concerns in a safe and respectful way. As of January 29, 2026, this reporting form is currently under development and will be available soon. The form, when available, does not replace emergency services. If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services right away.

Racism Defined

Racism refers to the ways society creates and maintains unfair power imbalances that disadvantage racial and ethnic minority groups. These inequities often appear through unequal access to resources, services, and opportunities, limiting people's ability to succeed. Racism can show up on many levels - individual behaviours, within organizations, and across entire systems. These layers reinforce harmful beliefs about racial or ethnic superiority. In healthcare, racism can be woven into policies, everyday practices, and the ways professionals are taught and trained.

Racism in Nursing and Nursing Education

For much of Canada's history, nursing students of colour have faced discriminatory admissions policies. While these practices are no longer overt, racism still appears in nursing education today, often through an institution's inability to address racism when it occurs, discomfort to discuss racism and discrimination, or curriculum choices that fail to reflect diverse perspectives. This ultimately puts students at a disadvantage by limiting their educational and professional opportunities.

Looking at the history of nursing and nursing education in Canada through a postcolonial lens helps us understand how colonial practices have shaped harmful biases toward marginalized communities over time.

CASN and other regulatory bodies within Canada highlight the significant harm that racism and discrimination inflict on marginalized persons. This includes acknowledging the serious health impacts of racism, which is linked to higher rates of mortality, co-morbidities and impairment, and increased disease severity realized by marginalized ethnic groups.

Addressing these inequities begins in educational settings. Experts call for including intersectionality into core competencies so future nurses are better prepared to care for diverse populations. At the college, we are committed to acknowledging this historical and continuing harm inflicted by colonial violence, racial prejudice, and discrimination. At the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing, we are actively working to dismantle institutional biases to ensure a safe, supportive environment for all students and employees.

Academic leaders have a responsibility to shape future generations of nurses by fostering learning spaces rooted in humility, self-reflection, and accountability. Scholars confirm that approaches such as "colour-blindness" can prevent us from addressing the real systemic inequalities that many marginalized communities face. Instead, we must examine our own assumptions, recognize both conscious and unconscious biases, and challenge the systems that sustain them. Through honest reflection and meaningful action, we can develop a consistent counter-narrative to combat historical prejudices and discriminatory biases, and build a nursing profession that is equitable, inclusive, and just.

Student Affairs and Outreach at USask and the College of Nursing have partnered to provide nursing students with direct support from a Student Support and Outreach Coordinator.

Associate Dean, Engagement and Development

Shehnaz Alidina
E4252 Health Sciences
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 2Z4
Phone: (306) 966-1927
Fax: (306) 966-6621
shehnaz.alidina@usask.ca

• A Guide for Health Care Providers to Address Racism in Health Care
• CPR Racism: A Guide to Address Racism in Health Care
• CPR Racism Postcard
• Implementing Anti-Racism Foundation & Strategy
• Promoting Anti-Racism in Nursing Education in Canada - CASN