On June 3, 2025, during its Biennial Convention in Niagara Falls, Ontario, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) apologized to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples for the harms Indigenous Peoples have historically faced, and continue to face, in health care.

“Indigenous people deserve the very best care possible. They deserve to feel safe in our care and to trust that nurses are effective advocates for them. Too often, this has not been the case,” explained Linda Silas, CFNU President. “We have been silent on the racism and harm Indigenous people have experienced in our health care system, and the ways they continue to. This silence is complicity, and we must break it. Acknowledging this truth with humility and a willingness to learn more lays the foundation for a path towards meaningful reconciliation.”

As a member organization of CFNU, NBNU took part in the apology. The full apology text is available here. The apology video is available below.