Human Rights & Equity
Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression
Our Anti-Racism Advisory Team and Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression (ARAO) Staff Team develop resources, education and plan events and networking for members and staff looking to connect and improve their understanding around these vital issues.
As the front line of health care in Ontario, our members understand that the intersection of race, income, housing, and other social determinants of health place Indigenous, Black, Racialized and historically marginalized communities at greater risk.
ONA stands in solidarity with Indigenous, Black, Racialized and historically marginalized communities and allies in Canada and around the globe calling for justice. The equal treatment of our members, and the freedom from any forms of racism, discrimination and harassment in the workplace are core tenets of our union. ONA strongly supports achieving health equity in our system, and advocates for the examination of policy issues through a “social determinants of health” lens.
We launched a four-year action plan to help guide our union in addressing the ongoing racism and oppression that exists for so many of our members and staff, and within our communities.
The 2022-2026 Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression (ARAO) Action Plan is the direct result of a call to action from our members, leaders and staff with lived experiences of intersectional forms of racism, including anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Black racism, discrimination and acts of exclusion. The Action Plan contains seven priority areas and 35 action items.
We invite members to join the Anti-Racism Advisory Team and assist us in developing and implementing strategies to address issues of intersectional forms of racism including anti-Black racism and anti-Indigenous racism. Apply online using our Expression of Interest Form.
Timelines illustrate changes over time, recognize important achievements and events, and acknowledge those who have contributed to change. Timelines bring together many elements of history: people, places, and events.
As we reflect on the past 50 years of ONA’s human rights and equity and anti-racism and anti-oppression journeys, ONA has created a timeline to capture many of these accomplishments. Please take some time to review and reflect on each of the milestones on the timeline. As we look into the future of ONA, we see many more achievements and milestones in the future recognizing the work of ONA members, elected leaders, and staff.
This timeline is not all-encompassing. If you have any suggested corrections or additions, please email us at gro.a1736882674no@oa1736882674ra1736882674 and we will connect with you.
On March 24, 2021, the House of Commons voted unanimously to officially designate August 1 Emancipation Day in Canada, commemorating the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.
Emancipation Day is about learning Canada’s collective history — not rewriting that history but telling a more complete history that includes the history of slavery. Therefore, each August 1, Canadians are invited to reflect, educate, and engage in the ongoing fight against intersectional forms of anti-Black racism and discrimination.
The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is an annual spectacular display of costumes, music, and culture.
The Carnival was first gifted to Canada by the Caribbean Community during Canada’s centennial celebrations. Carnival is rooted in historical rebellion. This Caribbean tradition of parading through the street was linked to the celebration of freedom and emancipation from slavery and in Toronto is celebrated on what has been recognized by the Canadian government as Emancipation Day weekend.
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.
It is a time to recognize and commemorate the intergenerational harm that residential schools caused to Indigenous families and communities, and to honour those who have been affected by this injustice.
We have compiled various ARAO resources below.
In 2024, our Board unanimously approved a Declaration on Truth and Reconciliation. This declaration reflects ONA’s core social justice values and establishes reconciliation as an organizational priority. We all have an important responsibility to advance truth and reconciliation as individuals, as nurses and health-care professionals and as ONA.
The Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) is renewing its call for a ceasefire in Gaza and the urgent restoration of access to humanitarian aid and health care.
The ARAO Advocacy 101 Digital Toolkit is intended to be used as a quick reference and guide regarding anti-racism and anti-oppression (ARAO) concepts and practices and offers different ways for member to develop advocacy skills. By using this toolkit, members demonstrate and reinforce their individual and collective commitment to ONA’s ARAO journey, and their advocacy strengthens solidarity across the union.
Our eLearning platform lets you access free courses on a variety of topics, including our ARAO eLearning series. You may be prompted to set up an account on our eLearning platform, if you do not already have one.
The terms and definitions used in this glossary represent our common everyday understanding and usage of these words. It is important to note that these definitions are not fixed or static. Instead, they are fluid and change over time and in different contexts. In our diverse society, the meaning and interpretations of these terms may be affected by generational and cultural differences, as well as social setting.
Why acknowledge?
According to Lindsay DuPré of the Metis Nation, “As we engage in processes of reconciliation, it is critical that land acknowledgements don’t become a token gesture. They are not meant to be static, scripted statements that every person must recite in exactly the same way. They are expressions of relationship, acknowledging not just the territory someone is on, but that person’s connection to that land based on knowledge that has been shared with them.”
Indigenous Tourism Ontario also states, “Land acknowledgements are an act of reconciliation, an act of compassion, and an act of mindfulness. By recognizing the traditional territories you stand on and what they mean to you, you take a small but important step towards recognizing and honouring the Indigenous Peoples who have lived on Turtle Island (aka: North America) since long before colonization.”
For additional information about Land acknowledgements, please visit the links below:
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