Halito Relatives!

As President of the OINA, I am delighted to update you on our ongoing efforts and achievements in advancing healthcare for our Indigenous communities.

Over the past few years, OINA has maintained an unwavering commitment to our vision of providing education, medical care, and a holistic approach in our service to Indigenous communities. Our dedication was recently highlighted through our participation in an internationally and nationally acclaimed documentary by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and SHIFT Films, titled "Everybody's Work." This poignant film addresses the pervasive issues of racism within nursing and sparks conversations surrounding health equity and justice. For those interested, the film can be requested at Shiftnursing.com, featuring stories from OINA nurses on their journeys and impacts by racism, alongside their endeavors to transform the number one trusted health profession, with an Indigenous perspective.

Moreover, we are proud to announce that OINA is actively serving on the American Nurses Association's Commission to Address Racism committee and contributing as experts in the 2025 Nursing Code of Ethics revision. We are excited about our partnerships with esteemed organizations such as DNP's of Color (DOC) and New England Minority Nurse Leadership. Together, we are committed to fostering connections and building relationships promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in nursing. Our involvement in these vital committees underscores our commitment to embedding indigenous knowledge within nursing ethics and practice.

Looking ahead, our collaboration with a myriad of Indigenous and non-Indigenous national and local healthcare organizations reinforces our collective goal of improving health outcomes across Turtle Island. The year 2025 promises to be another period of enriching connections and sharing healing practices for the well-being of our land and people. 

Our kinships extend to nursing schools and colleges, as we employ strategies from the National Academy of Medicine's "The Future of Nursing 2020-2023" to advance health equity, all while integrating Indigenous holistic worldviews.  We are committed to meeting our vision by partnering with the Northeastern Oklahoma Recruitment and Advancement of American Indians into Nursing (NEO RAAIN) to enhance the representation of Indigenous Nurses in the healthcare profession. Through this collaboration, we aim to increase opportunities and support for Indigenous individuals pursuing careers in nursing, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes in our communities.

We invite you to continue supporting our mission to heal ourselves, our families, our communities, and our land. The sacred connection between us all must be honored, for we are all related.

Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment.

Indigenously,

Sonya Frazier
OINA President

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