For Darlene Smith of Branch 48, the 2025 CFNU Biennial Convention was more than a professional gathering\u2014it was a week of learning, connecting, and recharging her commitment to union activism.<\/p>\n
A highlight for Darlene was the Indigenous Health panel, where powerful discussion brought attention to social injustice and systemic inequities. \u201cOne takeaway for me was the social injustices that many vulnerable and Indigenous populations suffer. We must be aware of our own biases and strive to be and do better,\u201d she reflected. The panel featured award-winning physician Dr. Alika Lafontaine, Mi\u2019kmaw RN Dawn GooGoo, Indigenous nursing leader Kerri Nuku of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation and Lheidli T\u2019enneh nurse Candi DeSousa.<\/p>\n
Outside of the education sessions, she also enjoyed the lighter side of convention life. \u201cThe Wayne Gretzky Winery social night was such a great event. A real highlight,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
This was Darlene\u2019s second CFNU Convention, and it left a lasting impact. \u201cIt very much reinvigorated my union activism,\u201d she shared. \u201cBeing part of the CFNU and its large membership reminded me that we have a powerful group fighting together. Hearing the struggles and strategies from across Canada boosted my commitment to my fellow RNs.\u201d<\/p>\n
The convention\u2019s “All In” theme struck a chord. \u201cWe really have to be all in if we want to fight against privatization in our health care system. We need equality\u2014not a two-tiered system,\u201d Darlene emphasized.<\/p>\n
But perhaps one of the most rewarding parts of the experience was the connection. \u201cIt felt awesome to meet nurses from across the country. I\u2019ve made new friendships within my own province and with members of SUN [Saskatchewan Union of Nurses], especially.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the week, Darlene summed it up simply: \u201cI learned so much and shared it with my co-workers. Hearing from other great union leaders across the country boosted morale\u2014you really feel like you\u2019re part of a movement with a great deal of strength.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For Darlene Smith of Branch 48, the 2025 CFNU Biennial Convention was more than a professional gathering\u2014it was a week of learning, connecting, and recharging her commitment to union activism. A highlight for Darlene was the Indigenous Health panel, where powerful discussion brought attention to social injustice and systemic inequities. \u201cOne takeaway for me was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1351,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[53,70,105,106],"class_list":["post-1350","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rnu-in-action","tag-biennial-convention","tag-cfnu","tag-all-in","tag-106"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n