Background
The month of June is National Indigenous History Month! This is a month typically filled with events that all Canadians are invited to celebrate. It is a time to honour and appreciate the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples in Canada. Members are invited to share and learn throughout June with these online opportunities while acknowledging that action on Truth and Reconciliation is needed every day of the year:
Boat launch in Drag the Red campaign
Unifor is a key supporter and sponsor of the Winnipeg community-driven campaign to drag the Red River in Manitoba for the bodies of missing women.
When the community organizers were in need of a new vessel to continue their work, Unifor made a generous donation from Unifor’s Canadian Community Fund to supply a new purpose-built aluminum boat.
With the launch* of the new boat, volunteers can proceed with the sixth season on the waters of the Red River in hopes of finding closure for devastated families. Unifor vows to continue to work with the co-founder of the Coalition of Families of Missing and Murdered Women in Manitoba and the Drag the Red Initiative, NDP MLA Bernadette Smith.
*pandemic restrictions pending
National Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Unifor is proud to celebrate First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples’ diverse and enduring culture, history and achievements. Members are encouraged to take action June 21 by calling on the federal government to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Turtle Island Webinar Series
Gina Smoke, Unifor Indigenous Liaison will moderate this June webinar series with Indigenous leaders and scholars. Join the discussion and learn how you can engage in ReconciliACTION!
For more information and registration: https://onlineeducation.unifor.org/honouring_treaty_rights
- June 1 Honouring Treaty Rights – A conversation with Niigaan Sinclair, Columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press, Professor at University of Manitoba Aboriginal Languages Strategy.
- June 8 MMIWG2S - A conversation with Manitoba NDP MLAs: Long-standing MMIWG2S Advocate, Nahanni Fontaine and Bernadette Smith, co-founder of the Coalition of Families of Missing and Murdered Women in Manitoba.
- June 15 Indigenous Rights and Title – A conversation with Pam Palmater, Mi’kmaq lawyer, Professor at Ryerson University and Activist.
- June 22 Exploring the Importance of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) – A conversation with Brenda L. Gunn, Indigenous Scholar and Professor at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law.
Statement on the missing children found on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory
Take action
- Unifor supports the 94 recommendations issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They are an urgent call to action for government and organizations to take meaningful action on a many outstanding issues, ranging from protecting language and culture to education to ensuring justice for the victims of residential school violence.
Contact your Member of Parliament and demand they be a vocal supporter of the 94 Calls to Action within their caucus and to government. - Add to Unifor’s $10,000 donation to the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation to build community solidarity and support:
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
200-330 Chief Alex Thomas Way
Kamloops BC, V2H 1H1 - Add to Unifor’s existing sponsorship of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) “Honouring the Gifts—MKO Youth Cultural Celebration” youth arts festival beginning June 21 (National Indigenous Peoples Day) and carrying through to June 25.
- Donate to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
- Participate in Indigenous History Month, which starts Tuesday. Unifor is coordinating action and activities across the country to fight for truth and reconciliation. Visit unifor.org/ihm2021 to find out more.
- Learn more by participating in Unifor’s Turtle Island webinar series. Next session: “Honouring Treaty Rights” Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern.
- Encourage support, by those who are able to, for local and regional organizations, programs or initiatives to engage in active reconciliation with Indigenous people.
- With all of your efforts, please amplify Indigenous voices in your community.