Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30

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September 30 marks Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, established in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Call to Action #94. On this day, CASN honours the Survivors of the residential school system, as well as the children, families, and communities who continue to be affected by this traumatic legacy.

As the national voice for nursing education, CASN is committed to advancing the TRC Calls to Action by fostering inclusive and anti-racist nursing education. This includes educating nursing students, educators, and leaders about the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism, enacted through policies such as the residential school system.

CASN is also committed to critically examining the biases within Western empirical knowledge systems that inform nursing knowledge, higher education, and health care systems. By centring stories of strength, endurance, and resilience of diverse Indigenous societies and cultures in what is currently known as Canada, we seek to foster a more comprehensive and inclusive education experience, to improve the health of all who live on this land and to reduce systemic health inequities that marginalize Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

As an organization, CASN strives to enable all knowledges and experiences to inform the advancement of nursing education. We are actively working to implement Calls to Action #18 through #24 by embedding reconciliation, equity, and Indigenous perspectives into our organizational culture, nursing education standards, and daily operations.

  • Strategic Plan Priority 1 is committed to fostering reconciliation and equity, guiding all initiatives towards inclusive and culturally safe nursing education.
  • CASN engages in meaningful dialogue with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and communities to centre historically marginalized voices.
  • CASN supports Indigenous nursing leadership by amplifying Indigenous voices in national forums and fostering representation in education and research.
  • CASN is working to decolonize education resources by integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems, land-based learning, and Oral Traditions into nursing curricula.
  • CASN is revising accreditation standards in alignment with Call to Action #24, which calls on nursing schools to ensure students receive an education on Indigenous health issues, including the legacy of residential schools, Indigenous Rights and teachings, intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
  • CASN promotes ongoing internal reflection, humility, and learning through training, policy reviews, and open dialogue on systemic biases.

“CASN embraces strengths-based pedagogical approaches that honour the resilience, knowledge, and leadership of Indigenous Peoples. By positively modelling Indigenous excellence in nursing education and practice, we aim to challenge deficit-based narratives and foster culturally safe learning environments. Meaningful collaboration with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, students, and communities is central to our commitment—ensuring that nursing education reflects diverse worldviews and supports reconciliation through respectful, reciprocal relationships,” said Jean Daniel Jacob, CASN Executive Director.

While CASN has made meaningful progress in advancing reconciliation, equity, and the integration of Indigenous perspectives into nursing education, we recognize that this journey is ongoing. There is still more work to be done to fully realize the transformative goals outlined in our Strategic Plan and the TRC Calls to Action.

CASN invites health care professionals and institutions to implement the TRC Calls to Action #18 through #24 in their workplaces and practices. We have developed several resources that offer direction to schools of nursing in responding to the TRC Calls to Action.

Office Closure – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

In honour of Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, CASN’s office will be closed. This closure allows our staff the opportunity to participate in activities that commemorate the day and reflect on the ongoing journey of reconciliation. We encourage everyone to take time to engage in meaningful learning, reflection, and community events that honour the experiences and resilience of Indigenous Peoples.

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