The CLPNS is working toward authentic allyship with Indigenous Peoples and communities in Saskatchewan. This work focuses on building meaningful relationships, taking action, and improving how regulation supports safe, culturally appropriate care.
This page outlines why this work matters, how it is guided, and the progress made to date.
Approach to Allyship Policy Document
What does Authentic Allyship mean to the CLPNS?
Authentic allyship means acting with intention, building trust, and listening to Indigenous voices.
This work requires ongoing learning, accountability, and change. It also means recognizing that Indigenous Peoples are best positioned to identify their needs and priorities.
The CLPNS’s Cultural Advisory Group
The Cultural Advisory Group (CAG) includes Indigenous community members, LPNs, and representatives from CLPNS staff and Council. The CAG provides guidance to CLPNS throughout the Authentic Allyship journey.
Recent engagement:
- 2023 – Onsite visit and consultation on the Culturally Safe Care guideline
- 2024 – Reviewed progress and recommended recognizing community-based volunteering as continuing education
- 2025 – Participated in a facilitator-led sharing circle; additional actions are being developed
CLPNS welcomes interest in the Cultural Advisory Group.
To learn more or express interest, contact: info@clpns.com
Indigenous-Specific Racism in Health Care
The CLPNS is responsible for identifying and addressing risks to the public in LPN practice. The presence of widespread Indigenous-specific racism in healthcare is proven to cause harm and even the death of Indigenous People. In October 2022, the CLPNS Council declared Indigenous-specific racism in healthcare a risk to the public and directed the organization to develop a strategy to address it.
Goals of the Journey to Authentic Allyship
At the recommendation of the CLPNS’s Cultural Advisory Group, the CLPNS Council set the following four journey goals:
Progress Towards Authentic Allyship
Goal 1: Strengthen cultural competence and cultural safety
Progress
- Created a dedicated budget (2023) to fund cultural competence education for LPNs
- Recognized cultural competence and safety as formal Continuing Education Portfolio (CEP) learning
- 860 LPNs reported cultural learning in 2024
- Introduced reimbursement for “The Role of Practitioners in Indigenous Wellness”
Impact
- More LPNs are completing structured learning on cultural safety
- Increased awareness and skills to support respectful, appropriate care for Indigenous clients
- Cultural safety is being reinforced as a core expectation of practice
Goal 2: Support Indigenous representation and workforce development
Progress
- Partnered with SIIT to pilot a mentorship program for Indigenous Practical Nursing (IPN) graduates (now in year two)
- Expanded data collection on Indigenous LPNs (languages, practice areas, location) to support workforce planning and education funding decisions
Impact
- Improved support for Indigenous LPNs entering and remaining in the profession
- Better data for understanding demographic recruitment and retention patterns
Goal 3: Strengthen regulatory expectations for culturally safe care
Progress
- Adopted an updated Code of Ethics with a strong focus on culturally safe care (legally enforceable through Regulatory Bylaws)
- Published a Legislative Interpretation to clarify LPNs’ legal responsibility to provide culturally safe care
Impact
- Clear, enforceable expectations for culturally safe practice
- Greater consistency in how LPNs understand and apply these requirements
- Stronger accountability when culturally unsafe care occurs
Goal 4: Strengthen relationships, accountability, and organizational learning
Progress
- Continued annual engagement with the Cultural Advisory Group to guide reconciliation work
- Partnered with health system leaders to develop a public commitment video
- Set and achieved a target for Indigenous representation on Council and statutory committees
- Completed cultural humility training with staff and Council
Impact
- Decisions are increasingly informed by Indigenous perspectives
- Greater trust and transparency in how CLPNS approaches reconciliation
- Improved internal capacity to recognize and address bias in regulation and decision-making
How is the CLPNS moving forward in the journey to authentic allyship?
The CLPNS’s reason for existing is to serve and protect the public by regulating the LPN profession. However, the CLPNS also exists as an organization in the community and is an employer. For the CLPNS to become an authentic ally, the journey must include steps taken in each of the organization’s dimensions. All efforts made by the CLPNS are to help achieve the four goals of the journey to authentic allyship.
The CLPNS as the Regulator of the LPN Profession
LPNs are required by the CLPNS to provide culturally safe care in their practice. The CLPNS, through regulation, can do various things to support the delivery of culturally safe care in LPN practice.
As of December 31st, 2025 there are about 4800 LPNs in Saskatchewan. 658 LPNs voluntarily shared that they are of Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) ancestry. Indigenous LPNs work throughout the province in a variety of practice areas. 41 LPNs shared that they speak Indigenous languages of the Great Plains and North, including Cree, Dene, and Algonquin.
- In 2025, 870 LPNs reported cultural-based learning as an education activity. Hundreds of LPNs have reported such learning each year since the CLPNS, on the recommendation of the Cultural Advisory Group, moved to include cultural-based learning as formal CEP.
- SIIT Indigenous Practical Nursing (IPN) Program: The SIIT IPN program is offered in Saskatoon and La Ronge. The IPN program prepares graduates to become a culturally responsive providers with an understanding of western and Indigenous approaches to health and wellness. To learn more about the program, click here.
- SIIT - CLPNS Mentorship Opportunity: SIIT and the CLPNS have partnered to offer a mentorship opportunity to students graduating from the IPN program. Mentorship allows new and seasoned LPNs to partner, share their stories, and provide a safe space to share and reflect on professional experiences.
- The CLPNS offers LPNs support to complete educational opportunities like “The Role of Practitioners in Indigenous Wellness” course by reimbursing LPNs for registration costs upon successful completion.
- The Complaints, Investigation, and Discipline process supports resolving complaints using cultural-based methods such as Indigenous Peacekeeping Practitioners, Talking Circles, or with the support of members of the Indigenous Community.
- Code of Ethics and Culturally Safe Care Legislative Interpretation: On June 21, 2023, National Indigenous Peoples Day, the CLPNS published an updated Code of Ethics for LPNs in Canada and a new Legislative Interpretation titled, Culturally Safe Care (CSC). The documents set clear expectations about the legal requirement to deliver culturally safe care in LPN practice. You may view both documents in the document library on the CLPNS website.
The CLPNS as an Organization
The CLPNS is a non-profit organization created by The Licensed Practical Nurses Act, 2000. The CLPNS is based in Regina but serves as the regulator of the LPN profession for the province of Saskatchewan. The CLPNS is governed by a Council that sets the strategic direction of the organization. The Council hires an Executive Director to manage the CLPNS and achieve the Council’s strategic direction.
- The CLPNS has formed a “Cultural Advisory Group” with a specific focus on improving how the organization includes, considers, communicates, and engages with Indigenous People and provides opportunities for the group to lead, direct, oversee, and/or evaluate CLPNS's journey to the extent the group desires or sees necessary.
- The CLPNS Council is made up of 5 elected LPNs and 3 government-appointed public representatives. An LPN of an Indigenous background was appointed to the CLPNS Council on May 11, 2023 and will serve a two-year term on the Council.
- The CLPNS is committed to supporting Indigenous artists and has purchased several pieces of Indigenous art, which is displayed in the CLPNS office.
- The CLPNS Council and statutory committee members are encouraged and supported to engage in education and learning opportunities to support their individual journey towards allyship. Council Members completed Anti-Racism training offered by the Saskatchewan Anti-Racism Network.
- In honour of National Truth and Reconciliation Day, employers, educators, regulators, direct care providers, leaders, and members of the public from across the province released a video sharing a heartfelt apology to the Indigenous Peoples of this nation. You may view the video at the bottom of this page.
The CLPNS as an Employer
The CLPNS employs eight individuals who are responsible for carrying out the CLPNS’s work in a culturally safe way. The CLPNS recognizes that they must support staff on their individual journeys towards authentic allyship by creating educational opportunities and growth experiences.
- 100% of CLPNS staff participated in Indigenous educational opportunities in 2023. Collectively the staff engaged in over 30 events.
- In 2024, staff participated in Cultural Humility Training provided by the Native Friendship Centre.
- In 2025, staff participated in an Elder-led talking circle with members of the Cultural Advisory Group.
- CLPNS staff are supported with funding to access culturally-based healthcare services.
- Staff are encouraged and supported to attend ongoing learning opportunities. CLPNS staff are enthusiastically engaged in a variety of formal and informal learning to support their allyship journey. Staff are taking classes courses and attending webinars, all aimed at developing cultural safety skills and understanding of Indigenous cultures and history.
- Staff completed Anti-Racism training offered by the Saskatchewan Anti-Racism Network.
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th is recognized as a holiday.
- Staff are supported to develop cultural competence by attending a cultural event or experience like a pow-wow or ceremony on up to two paid working days per year.
Culturally Safe Care - Legislative Interpretation
On June 21, 2023, National Indigenous Peoples Day, the CLPNS published a new legislative interpretation called Culturally Safe Care (CSC).
The document’s purpose is to set clear expectations about the legal requirement to deliver CSC to Indigenous clients. CLPNS’ legislative interpretation documents are intended to assist in interpreting the legislation of the LPN profession. LPNs are legally required to practice according to the legislation and bylaws governing the LPN profession in Saskatchewan.
Click the button below to view the new Culturally Safe Care document.
Culturally Safe Care - Legislative Interpretation
A Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
The below video was published a day before National Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 29, 2023. Employers, educators, regulators, direct care providers, leaders, and members of the public from across the province, collaborated to build this video to represent a heartfelt apology to the Indigenous Peoples of this nation. It is a testament to our commitment to lead the journey toward reconciliation. This video is a culmination of our efforts and a starting point for continued dialogue and action.
This page will continue to be updated throughout our authentic allyship journey.