Every child matters: An imperative paediatric healthcare movement

Guided by the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, this paper examines the legacy of colonialism in Canada and its continued detrimental effects on the health of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children. Supporting Call to Action 24, which emphasizes the importance of Indigenous health and histories within medical training, the "Every Child Matters" social movement can inform the domains of education, patient care, non-Indigenous advocacy, and Indigenous inclusion, drawing attention to the negative impacts of Canadian institutions, including residential schools, on Indigenous peoples. This paper argues that "Every Child Matters" can provide a novel conceptual framework within which non-Indigenous paediatric health practitioners may engage in self-reflection, practise cultural humility, and deliver trauma-informed care with the aim of decolonizing their practices and supporting equitable healthcare for Indigenous children. Additionally, this proposed framework can support efforts toward reconciliation, providing opportunities for meaningful partnerships with Indigenous patients, families, and colleagues.