RNAO and Guidelines International Network form partnership to honour Traditional Knowledge in guideline development
MWN-AI** Summary
On March 2, 2026, the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Guidelines International Network (GIN) to establish the GIN Indigenous Communities Working Group. This collaboration aims to honor Traditional Knowledge in the development of health care guidelines, thereby promoting health equity and culturally safe practices for Indigenous Peoples.
The initiative will kick off with a webinar on March 4, 2026, uniting Indigenous researchers, Knowledge Keepers, Elders, healthcare providers, and community members. Together, they seek to address health inequities rooted in colonialism and systemic racism, while also providing methodological guidance to integrate Traditional Knowledge into health guidelines. This effort aligns with RNAO's ongoing commitment to adapt best practice guidelines (BPG) through collaborative work with Indigenous health organizations, exemplified by recent BPGs focused on smoking reduction and youth suicide prevention.
Dr. Doris Grinspun, CEO of RNAO, emphasized the urgency of developing guidelines that respect Indigenous cultures and traditions. She highlighted the need for alternative methodologies that embrace a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, which values the integration of Indigenous and Western medical practices. Knowledge Keeper Dr. Ed Connors/Tecumseh expressed the importance of this dialogue, noting it provides an opportunity to explore how diverse knowledge systems can mutually inform health care for Indigenous populations globally.
As GIN, a global connector in the guideline community, joins forces with RNAO, they underscore a commitment to creating culturally grounded guidance that will lead to meaningful improvements in health care delivery. This partnership is a significant step towards advancing health equity and reconciliation for Indigenous communities, fostering an environment where traditional practices are respected and utilized in contemporary health care settings.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent partnership between the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) and the Guidelines International Network (GIN) represents a significant step towards integrating Indigenous Traditional Knowledge into healthcare guideline development. This initiative, particularly the establishment of the GIN Indigenous Communities Working Group, aims to address health inequities rooted in colonialism and systemic racism.
For investors and stakeholders in the healthcare sector, this collaboration signals a transformative shift. The global health landscape is increasingly recognizing the importance of culturally safe practices, with initiatives like this one likely to foster equitable healthcare models. Companies involved in healthcare consulting, software, or services that prioritize culturally sensitive care may find expanded opportunities as more organizations strive to align with these emerging standards.
The first event, set for March 4, 2026, will facilitate crucial dialogues among Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, researchers, and healthcare providers, highlighting a commitment to collaborative learning. This approach not only enhances healthcare delivery for Indigenous populations but also offers insights that can be valuable across diverse communities.
Investors should consider the implications of this movement towards inclusivity in healthcare practices. Stocks in organizations that are early adopters of these guidelines, or those that invest in training and development around Indigenous health equity, might see positive momentum as public interest and policy shifts towards these values.
Furthermore, the emphasis on alternative methodologies like the Two-Eyed Seeing approach speaks to a broader trend of integrating holistic health perspectives within healthcare systems. As RNAO and GIN work together to revolutionize guideline development, stakeholders in the health sector must adapt and strategize in ways that honor these principles, ensuring they remain relevant and competitive in an evolving market.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Canada NewsWire
TORONTO, March 2, 2026 /CNW/ - Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) and the Guidelines International Network (GIN) are launching the GIN Indigenous Communities Working Group to promote health equity and culturally safe practices in health care.
The kick off for this global initiative is a webinar taking place on March 4, 2026 that will bring together Indigenous researchers, Knowledge Keepers, Elders, guideline developers and members of the community. Their goal: to respond to health inequities rooted in colonialism and systemic racism, as well as the lack of methodological guidance for how guideline development can account for Traditional Knowledge.
As part of RNAO's Indigenous Health Program, RNAO has worked with Indigenous health organizations to adapt our best practice guidelines (BPG) so they create culturally safe spaces and meet the priorities of their local communities. The Promoting Smoking Reduction and Cessation with Indigenous Peoples of Reproductive Age and Their Communities BPGs were launched in 2022, and the Promoting Life and Prevention of Indigenous Youth Suicide BPG is now in progress.
"The March 4 webinar is an important opportunity to begin a dialogue with Indigenous and other health-care providers serving Indigenous Peoples around the world. For too long the non-Indigenous health-care system appears to have lost sight of the knowledge about health and healing that has been the foundation of non-Indigenous medicine. Yet today a major portion of our world's population remains dependent on this knowledge. This dialogue will serve as a collaborative effort to explore how these forms of knowledge can inform each other when delivering health care to Indigenous people globally. In addition, it might well lead to an understanding of how all peoples might benefit from a more holistic approach to health and wellness," says Knowledge Keeper Dr. Ed Connors/Tecumseh.
Daniela Carl, GIN CEO, notes, "GIN, as a global connector in the guideline community with members in 56 countries, is pleased to be working with RNAO on this important initiative. It reflects GIN's commitment to improving health care by enabling collaboration, fostering meaningful connections and supporting continuous learning and improvement. Through this partnership, we support the development of guidance that is culturally grounded, methodologically robust and meaningful in real-world settings, while re-imagining guideline development in ways that promote equity, respect and lasting impact."
"There is urgency to develop guidelines that respect Indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices from around the world. This means understanding and using alternative methodologies informed by the Two-Eyed Seeing approach, valuing and respecting Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, and showing how we can practise in harmony Indigenous with Western approaches in health and social services," says Dr. Doris Grinspun, CEO of RNAO, the founder of the BPG program and vice chair of the GIN Indigenous Communities Working Group. "We are thrilled to be working with GIN and look forward to engage with Indigenous People from around the world," adds Grinspun.
Dr. Holly Graham, GIN Indigenous Communities Working Group chair, says: "Colonization has been devastating for Indigenous [First Nation, Métis, and Inuit] peoples' health and wellness. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (2015) outline steps that Canadians can take to address the legacy of residential schools and to advance reconciliation in Canada. The truth and ongoing stories of trauma are painful to hear and undoubtedly more painful for those who have lived and continue to live with the inequalities across the social determinants of health in Canada."
Who:
- Dr. Ed Connors/Tecumseh – Knowledge Keeper
- Daniela Carl – CEO, GIN
- Dr. Doris Grinspun – CEO, RNAO and vice chair of the ICWG
- Dr. Holly Graham – Chair, ICWG
What: Indigenous Communities Working Group
When: March 4, 2026 (9 a.m. – 12 noon. ET/ 8 – 11 a.m. CT/2 – 5 p.m. GMT)
Guidelines International Network (GIN) was formally incorporated as a Scottish charity in 2003. GIN's mission is to improve the quality of health care by promoting the systematic development of clinical practice guidelines and supporting their implementation in practice. As a global network of organisational and individual members GIN is committed to supporting the creation and implementation of evidence-based guidelines, and maintains the world's largest international guideline library. For more information on GIN, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.
The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public we serve. For more information about RNAO, visit RNAO.ca or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
SOURCE Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario
View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2026/02/c7843.html
FAQ**
How will the partnership between RNAO and GIN impact the integration of Traditional Knowledge in health care guidelines, and what role does Douglas Emmett Inc. DEI play in supporting this initiative?
2. What specific methodologies will be considered to honor Indigenous ways of knowing in guideline development, and how can Douglas Emmett Inc. DEI contribute to these efforts?
3. In what ways do RNAO and GIN envision the Two-Eyed Seeing approach being applied in practice, and how can Douglas Emmett Inc. DEI assist in its implementation within health care settings?
4. Can you elaborate on the expected outcomes of the GIN Indigenous Communities Working Group and how Douglas Emmett Inc. DEI can help measure the success of this partnership in promoting health equity?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Douglas Emmett Inc. (NYSE: DEI).
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