Aboriginal and Workers of Colour

In honour of National Indigenous History Month, Unifor is profiling trailblazing activists who are advancing workers and Indigenous rights. 

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize and honour the cultures, contributions, and enduring strength of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. It is also a time for reflection—on Canada’s colonial history, on the ways in which ongoing settler-colonialism continues to impact the present-day realities of Indigenous communities, and on the union’s collective responsibility to work toward reconciliation through action.

To recognize Red Dress Day in 2025, Unifor members participated in an online workshop with Winnipeg researcher and activist Sandra Delaronde. 

May 5 is Red Dress Day—a day of remembrance and solidarity for the missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people (MMIWG2S), and a time to renew the union's collective commitment to justice. 

Unifor members from across the country gathered—both in person at the national office in Toronto and through virtual watch parties—for the union’s second national Black History Month event, held on February 22, 2025.

Unifor members joined communities across Canada on February 14 to participate in the Women's Memorial March, a solemn annual event that honours the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S) and calls for justice.

This February, Unifor proudly celebrates Black History Month by honoring the remarkable achievements and contributions of our members who strengthen our union, communities, and country every single day. We recognize the important work of Unifor members, BIWOC committee activists, and Racial Justice Advocates who champion equity and inclusion year round.

In his government’s mandate letter to B.C. Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey, Premier Eby recognized the epidemic of gender-based violence and empowered Bailey to take steps to address the crisis.  

January 4 is newly celebrated as National Ribbon Skirt Day in Canada. The movement to recognize the importance of ribbon skirts to many Indigenous communities arose out of the experience of Cote First Nation youth Isabella Kulak, who was belittled by school staff in January 2021 for wearing a ribbon skirt to Kamsack Comprehensive Institute in Kamsack, Saskatchewan.