The Board of Directors and members of the Canadian Association of Paediatric Nurses (CAPN) are deeply saddened by the discovery of the remains of 215 children at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. As nurses who care for children, the callous disregard for both the welfare and dignity of these beautiful souls is extremely troubling. We offer our deepest condolences to the families and communities of these children as well as to all survivors of residential schools and their families. We grieve with you and honour the memory of your children. As we grieve the loss of these 215 children, we recognize that there is hard work in front of us. We must recognize the deep and lasting damage the residential school system caused our Indigenous communities. CAPN is committed to walking and working with our Indigenous communities through this difficult time. The Board and members of CAPN call on all levels of government in Canada to accelerate the full implementation of all Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. These Calls to Action must be priorities at all levels and for all citizens. CAPN commits to carefully studying these Calls to Action1 and meaningfully implementing these in our own work. We call on all members of our organization to especially focus on Calls to Action 18-24, which focus on the health of Indigenous peoples. CAPN also fully endorses and accepts the Canadian Nurses Association’s (CNA) Declaration Against Anti-Indigenous Racism in Nursing and Health Care. We will work to integrate the principles from this declaration to both our work with CAPN and in our own nursing practices. We move forward with heavy-hearts as we remember these 215 children and all children and youth who suffered and perished in residential schools across Canada. We know we have many terrible discoveries left to face and we grieve every loss alongside our Indigenous communities. We commit to doing our part to dismantle the racist structures that led to these atrocities and that continue to exist.

As an organisation dedicated to the care of paediatric clients and families across Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Nurses Association (CAPN) recognizes that racism and inequalities exist and are systemic throughout healthcare systems in Canada. We acknowledge that these inequalities and injustices are damaging to the health and welfare of infants, children, and youth. CAPN is making a commitment to: Engage with BIPOC members to ensure that our organization is inclusive and accessible to all paediatric nurses across Canada. Investigate the need for paediatric specific cultural safety education in addition to cultural safety education provided by health authorities across Canada. Encourage members of CAPN to take opportunities to access cultural safety education. Make space for difficult conversations related to the impact of racism on paediatric clients and paediatric nurses. Advocate for changes in policy at local, provincial, and federal levels that maintain racist structures and allow for inequalities and injustices that affect BIPOC families. The time to act is now. There has already been excessive trauma caused to children, youth and families in Canada because of racism. CAPN is committed to working with other organizations, community leaders, elders, and members of the community to bring about change.

The Canadian Association of Paediatric Nurses (CAPN) recognizes September 30th as Orange Shirt Day, to honour and remember the victims and survivors of the residential school system. As we are once again reminded of this terrible tragedy that has affected so many lives in the indigenous communities, this is an opportunity for us to raise awareness about the history and legacy of the residential school systems. September 30 is also known as National Truth and Reconciliation day. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration. CAPN is calling for the federal government to follow the Truth and Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action 80 to work with indigenous people and honour victims, survivors and families so that their voices are heard. As we learn and reflect about the history and legacy, we must recognize that work still needs to be done to improve the lives of indigenous communities and address issues such as racism and violence in their communities. CAPN is committed to learning about the history and working with the indigenous communities to address important issues raised in these communities. CAPN encourages everyone to wear an orange shirt on September 30 to honour and remember the victims of the residential school system. Every child matters.

The Canadian Association of Paediatric Nurses (CAPN) celebrates PRIDE throughout the month of June each year. As nurses who care for children and youth across Canada, the Board of Directors, and all members of CAPN are committed to diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of our work. We acknowledge and celebrate the valuable work that our 2SLGBTQi+ members have contributed to both the health and welfare of children and youth across Canada, and to the nursing profession. CAPN is committed to: Calling on all levels of government to act to end systemic discrimination affecting the 2SLGBTQi+ community. Amplifying the stories and voices of the 2SLGBTQi+ community, particularly those of our members and of children and youth. Working with provincial and territorial Ministries of Health and all health authorities to ensure that children and youth are not misgendered and deadnamed at all points of contact with health care. Promoting educational resources to ensure that all members have the best information to deepen their knowledge related to the 2SLGTBQi+ community (e.g. The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity - Resources - https://ccgsd-ccdgs.org/resources/ Exploring ways to ensure that there are safe spaces available at all points of contact within the healthcare system for 2SLGBTQi+ children and youth. CAPN acknowledges that while PRIDE is celebrated during the month of June each year, we are making an ongoing commitment to celebrate, amplify, and ally with the 2SLGBTQi+ community.