Indigenous History Month & National Indigenous Peoples Day- June 21, 2023

June 16, 2023

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Brothers & Sisters,

On June 21, for National Indigenous Peoples Day, BIWOC committee and Unifor local 707 will be recognizing and celebrating the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Metis.

National Indigenous Day was first suggested in 1982 by the National Indian Brotherhood( now the Assembly of First Nations) as “National Aboriginal Solidarity Day” as a day of recognition. In 1990, Quebec became the first province or territory to establish June 21 as a Day to celebrate Indigenous culture. In 1966, Governor General Romeo LeBlanc announced the government’s intention to have an annual celebration of that day starting June 21st that same year.

The history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada is rich and diverse. This history stretches long into the past before the arrival of the European newcomers with diverse interactions among different people’s, flourishing trade and fierce conflict, and competition for lands and resources. With colonization and white settlement, traditional Indigenous ways of life were forever altered.

The Indian Act of 1876 was a significant piece of legislation that had a profound impact on Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The Act also established the reverse system which forced Indigenous Peoples onto small parcels of land that were often unsuitable for agriculture or other economic activities.

Indigenous Peoples faces many systemic issues in Canada that have been going on for generations some of which includes racism, discrimination and bias within institutions such as hospitals and health-care facilities related to historical context.

There have been many efforts to address the issues faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. Some of these efforts include;

1. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was established in 2008 to address the legacy of residential schools and to promote Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.

2. The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement was reached in 2007 and included compensation for survivors of residential schools and funding for healing and Reconciliation programs.

3. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the General Assembly in 2007.

4. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples was established in 1991 to investigate the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian government.

These are a few examples of the many efforts that have been made to address the issues faced by Indigenous Peoples in Canada. However, there is still much more work to be done.

As a local union we continue to stand united with the Indigenous Peoples in support with them and fight all forms of Racism, through a) Educating ourselves about Indigenous history and culture,

b). Supporting Indigenous- owned businesses and Arts,

c) Donating to Indigenous charities and organizations,

d).Advocate for Indigenous rights and issues

e) Attend events and ceremonies hosted by Indigenous organizations

f) Volunteer your time with Indigenous organizations

It’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and that different communities may have different needs.

In Solidarity,

Constance Brown

BIWOC chair/ RJA

Here’s a few links below of events you can attend.