Prime Highlights

• Indigenous nurses are seeking a stronger role in global healthcare policy.
• The alliance aims to promote Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices in nursing decisions.

Key Facts

• International Alliance of Indigenous Nurses was established in 2016 to connect and support Indigenous nurses worldwide.
• International Council of Nurses represents more than 30 million nurses through over 140 national nursing associations.

Background

Nursing leaders belonging to the indigenous communities across the world have made concerted efforts to increase their participation in decisions related to health care policy in an international context.

It has been suggested that the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge, cultural safety, and Indigenous approaches to health care within policy-making with respect to future nursing workforce development is imperative.

The International Alliance of Indigenous Nurses has taken the lead in such efforts. The alliance is being advanced by Indigenous nursing leaders from Australia and New Zealand, who believe healthcare systems can benefit from greater recognition of Indigenous approaches to wellbeing.

The issue gained attention during a recent international nursing gathering in Portugal, where representatives of the alliance met with the International Council of Nurses, a global organisation representing millions of nurses through national nursing associations around the world.

The alliance was established in 2016 and brings together Indigenous nurses from several countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Canada and nations across the Americas. Since its formation, the group has focused on strengthening the Indigenous nursing workforce by promoting knowledge-sharing, policy collaboration and culturally informed healthcare practices.

Supporters of the initiative say Indigenous health traditions continue to face challenges in gaining recognition in many parts of the world. Although several indigenous health care systems have been accepted and adopted, there are many communities that continue to try to preserve their traditions related to health care.

According to the Alliance leaders, the Indigenous nurses play an important part in bringing about a linkage between the health care system and the community.

The aim behind approaching international health care organizations through the alliance is that their voices are heard and their views taken into consideration in future policies and frameworks related to global health care systems.