RoseAnne Archibald makes #HERstory

RNAO congratulates RoseAnne Archibald for her historic election as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. National Chief Archibald becomes the first woman to lead the Assembly.

RNAO enjoyed a meaningful partnership with National Chief Archibald while in her role as Ontario Regional Chief. Together, we worked on important Indigenous health issues under the partnership agreement between Chiefs of Ontario and RNAO. Our work together included the co-development of COVID-related protocols at the outset of the pandemic and ongoing efforts to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing, caring and healing into the practice of Ontario’s registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students. We very much look forward to continuing to work together as RoseAnne assumes her new role as National Chief.

National Chief Archibald comes to the role at a particularly difficult and painful moment for Indigenous people with the recent findings of unmarked gravesites on and near the grounds of residential schools. RNAO stands with National Chief Archibald and the Assembly of First Nations in mourning the lives lost and recognizes and shares the enormous and enduring pain caused by the residential school system. We understand the need and importance for the families and nations of the children who were stolen and lost to know who lies in these graves and what happened to them. We pledge our full and unconditional support to National Chief Archibald in the efforts of Indigenous people to uncover this truth and seek justice.