We call upon the federal government to develop with Aboriginal groups a joint strategy to eliminate educational and employment gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.

The College of Nursing has surpassed the goal of achieving proportional representation of Indigenous students in its undergraduate student body.

We are proud to have eliminated the gap in participation in nursing education between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. The most important strategies adopted to achieve this include the establishment of 16.6% equity seats for Indigenous students, the support and advising services offered through UCIN (University of Saskatchewan Community of Indigenous Nursing), and our learn where you live model makes nursing education more accessible throughout Saskatchewan, where we engage with a number of Indigenous communities.

With a foundation of success in Indigenous undergraduate achievement, the college is focused on Indigenous student representation and access to graduate level programs, which will create capacity for Indigenous academic scholars in research, teaching, and administration.

We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.

The College of Nursing integrates Indigenous perspectives throughout the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Students are introduced to the concept of the medicine wheel and traditional ways of knowing, while many instructors collaborate with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers to share teachings and lived experiences. Community clinical placements often take place in First Nations and Métis communities or neighbourhoods, providing students with meaningful exposure to Indigenous healing practices.

Our faculty continuously explore respectful and appropriate ways to enhance Indigenous content within the curriculum, ensuring all students gain a deeper understanding of culturally responsive care.

We call upon all levels of government to:

• Increase the number of Aboriginal professionals working in the health-care field.
• Ensure the retention of Aboriginal health-care providers in Aboriginal communities.
• Provide cultural competency training for all healthcare professionals.

The College of Nursing advances Goal 23(i) through the recruitment and retention of Indigenous students. In 1984, we became the first nursing college in Canada to establish an Indigenous student support program (Native Access Program to Nursing, now UCIN). Since then, we have built strong partnerships and launched initiatives that reflect our shared commitment to Indigenous communities. These include:

• Establishing a full Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Prince Albert in 2004, with a new campus building opened in 2020;
• Introducing the innovative "Learn Where You Live" BSN program across Saskatchewan in 2012, with continued expansion through 2025;
• Advocating for improved Indigenous high school achievement across the province; and
• Supporting the University of Saskatchewan's efforts to recruit Indigenous students and encourage self-identification.

Through these iniatives, we strive to create accessible pathways to nursing education and foster success for Indigenous learners.

We call upon medical and nursing schools in Canada to require all students to take a course dealing with Aboriginal health issues, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, and Indigenous teachings and practices. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

In 2012, the College of Nursing made Indigenous Studies a prerequisite in the pre-professional year for admission into the College of Nursing.

In addition, the nursing curriculum recognizes "post-colonial understanding", "cultural competency" and "inclusivity" as core competencies, and explicitly identifies learning outcomes that graduating students must obtain:

• Demonstrate compassionate, culturally safe, relationship-centred care with First Nation, Inuit and Métis clients, their families and communities;
• Be able to identify the determinants of health of Indigenous populations and use this knowledge to promote the health of First Nation, Inuit and Métis clients, their families and communities;
• Demonstrate effective and safe communication with First Nation, Inuit and Métis clients, their families and peers; and
• Demonstrate a commitment to engage in dialogue and relationship building with First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples, cultures and health practices.

For more than three decades, the College of Nursing has made steady progress in creating an environment where Indigenous students feel welcomed and supported in achieving their nursing education goals. At the same time, we ensure all graduates understand the importance of culturally competent care and can provide it to a diverse client base, including Indigenous clients and their families. We remain committed to strengthening these efforts and improving outcomes for all.