14 April 2025
2 min Read

ARAO ReconciliAction Working Group puts plan in motion

Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Team Manager Kieran Maxwell at podium at provincial meeting talks to delegates.

Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Team Manager Kieran Maxwell is a familiar face at ONA provincial meetings, providing updates to delegates on ONA’s work in this critical service area.

Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Specialists Brigitte Goar, Patrick Mazambi and Anuradha Lokre sit at table full of handouts.

Members of the Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Team (from left) Brigitte Goar, who assists the ReconciliAction Working Group; Patrick Mazambi, who supports Regions 1, 2, and 5; and Anuradha Lokre, who works with Regions 3 and 4, regularly staff tables at ONA’s provincial meetings to answer member questions and hand out helpful resources, such as this “We Fight for Equity” poster.

Rose Le May, our lead consultant of reconciliation, at podium talks to large gathering.

Rose Le May, our lead consultant of reconciliation, discusses the importance of meaningful land recognitions at our Provincial Leadership Meeting in March 2024.

One of ONA’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression (ARAO) ReconciliAction Working Group’s first order of business was a very important one.

The team worked tirelessly to draft ONA’s powerful Declaration for Truth and Reconciliation, outlining our actions and commitments in this important area, which was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors in September 2024.

“The declaration is an organizational priority and a crucial step in recognizing the importance of advancing truth and reconciliation as individuals, nurses and health-care professionals,” says ONA Provincial President Erin Ariss. “It also aims to build cultural humility, competence and safety. While contributing to the well-being of Indigenous peoples, the declaration develops a meaningful partnership with the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in our organization and workplaces. I strongly encourage all members to read this very important document.”

As part of ONA’s Strategic Plan priority, Everyone Included, ONA launched a four-year ARAO Action Plan in 2022 to challenge systemic racism, build infrastructure and integrate ARAO practices into every level of our union. Priority 1, Reconciliation, assists ONA in challenging anti-Indigenous racism, building cultural competency and cultural safety, as well as supporting Indigenous members, elected leaders and staff.

How to reach the ARAO Team

The working group is linked to our broader ARAO Team, which was integrated into the organization nearly three years ago. That team is composed of Manager Kieran Maxwell, ARAO lead consultant of reconciliation Rose LeMay and three specialists: Patrick Mazambi, who supports Regions 1, 2, and 5; Anuradha Lokre, who works with Regions 3 and 4; and Brigitte Goar, who supports the ReconciliAction Working Group.

Any questions or concerns? The ARAO Team can be reached via email at ARAO@ona.org.

Visit our website for more information on Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression.