It was an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to remember.

A dynamic video highlighting the achievements of nurses and RNAO throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. A song performed by a First Nation elder in recognition and remembrance of the residential school children whose tragic deaths have come to light in recent months. And a closing keynote discussion focused on nurses’ experiences during the pandemic.

Protecting Ontarians and Leading Change: Nurses and RNAO during COVID-19 was the theme for this year’s event, the second virtual AGM in the association’s history. It was a fitting focus for the June 24-26 celebration of the resilience and dedication of nurses.

With more than 800 attendees from across Ontario joining from their homes, RNAO started the AGM with a video created by long-time member and former board representative Paula Manuel, who highlighted the different initiatives RNAO has led this past year, including the NP Task Force and Black Nurses Task Force. The video commemorates the achievements and hard work nurses have exemplified. 

Elder Perry McLeod-Shabogesic of the N’biising (Nipissing) First Nation Crane Clan was also at the top of the agenda with the performance of a traditional opening and travelling song to remember the residential school deaths uncovered in Canada, and the physical, mental and emotional trauma that has swept through Indigenous communities across the country.