September 30, 2008
Standing up for Aboriginal human rights
Jean-Francois Des Lauriers, the Regional Executive Vice-President for the North, joined over 100 PSAC members to stand up for Aboriginal human rights on September 19.
Delegates at PSAC’s Aboriginal Peoples’ Conference put First Nations, Inuit and Métis issues on the map
The energy and excitement was palpable in Winnipeg at PSAC’s inaugural Aboriginal Peoples’ Conference from September 19-21, 2008. More than 100 First Nations, Inuit and Métis workers gathered to discuss ways to improve their workplaces and communities, vowing to make sure that Aboriginal poverty remains on the political agenda – especially in the midst of a federal election.
PSAC members come from diverse communities and the delegates at this weekend’s conference were no exception. Members from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities were in attendance from every province and territory – from Hall Beach in Nunavut to Happy-Valley Goosebay in Labrador to Vancouver Island, B.C. What united all of them was the commitment to making PSAC a union that is more representative of and responsive to Aboriginal communities.
Organizing workers
Speaking to conference delegates, PSAC National President John Gordon highlighted the union’s many successes in organizing Aboriginal workplaces. PSAC now has almost 100 bargaining units that represent Aboriginal workers – that’s close to 30 per cent of all PSAC bargaining units.
“In the North, we are the union of choice, with 81 bargaining units – from hamlet and housing associations to the Governments of the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut,” said Gordon. “We are proud of the progress we are making in negotiating for Aboriginal members – and the quality public services they provide to communities across the country.”
Defending public services
On Friday September 19, delegates took to the streets of Winnipeg, marching to MP Vic Toews’ office to raise awareness about the federal government’s inaction at addressing the poor quality and rapidly deteriorating public services in Aboriginal communities across Canada.
“The federal government must take action now to address the water and infrastructure crisis in First Nations communities,” said Patty Ducharme, PSAC’s National Executive Vice- President. “It’s time for the federal government to stand up for quality public services in Aboriginal communities. We want to know if federal election candidates are willing to make firm commitments to stand up for Aboriginal human rights.”
Fighting poverty
Speaking to delegates on the same day, National Chief Phil Fontaine of the Assembly of First Nations condemned the federal political parties for virtually ignoring Aboriginal poverty. For Chief Fontaine, the apology on June 11 for the atrocities of the residential school system was just the beginning of the work that needs to be done to redress the wrongs committed against First Nations people.
Rhoda Innuksuk, President of Pauktuutit Inuit Women, spoke of Inuit peoples’ strength and resilience. She highlighted the need to build the capacity of Inuit women to take on leadership roles in their communities and in political spheres.
Métis activist Cheryl-Anne Carr urged delegates to shake up the political establishment in order to promote meaningful change. She underscored the importance of PSAC in the struggle for Aboriginal rights, saying that “a healthy, vibrant society cannot do without active, political peoples’ movements, especially the trade union movement.”
Sorry isn’t enough
Delegates at the conference united in their commitment to lobby the federal government to address the water crisis in First Nations communities and to end gender discrimination against Aboriginal women in the Indian Act. Resolutions on these topics passed unanimously, along with a commitment to promote quality public services as part of the global response to climate change, which is having a particularly devastating impact on Aboriginal communities in the North.
PSAC used the conference as an opportunity to launch a national postcard campaign aimed at the Prime Minister, declaring that “sorry isn’t enough,” and demanding that the federal government:
• Make Aboriginal Poverty History, starting by honouring the commitments made in the Kelowna Accord;
• Fix the water crisis in First Nations' communities;
• Sign the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and
• Drop the appeal against Sharon McIvor, ending gender discrimination against First Nations' women and their families.
New representatives elected
Delegates elected representatives to PSAC’s National Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis (NAIM) Circle. The results are as follows:
National Aboriginal Representatives to the Equal Opportunities Committee:
• Luc Tailleur, male representative
• Tanna Pirie-Wilson, female representative
NAIM Circle Regional Representatives:
ATLANTIC: Robert Saunders, male representative; Barbara Bartibogue, female representative.
B.C.: Michael Ballard, male representative; Marion McLarty, female representative.
NCR: Les Maiczan, male representative; Shirley Tolley, female representative.
NORTH: Joseph Aggark, male representative; Karen Wright-Fraser, female representative.
ONTARIO: James Marchand, male representative; Barbara Goodfellow, female representative.
PRAIRIES: Alex George, male representative; Alisha Bigelow, female representative.
QUEBEC: Maxime Boutin, male representative; Marianne Kanapé, female representative.
The journey has only begun
Delegates spent time in Sharing Circles at the conference, exchanging ideas and strategizing on ways they could best advance the cause of Aboriginal human rights back in their respective regions. Appropriately enough, the theme for the conference was “MAAWANGITEENG: Where the Journey Begins!” Delegates left Winnipeg after the weekend newly energized and doubly committed to a journey of justice, fairness and equality for Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
Rhoda Innuksuk speaks at a rally in support of public services for Aboriginal Peoples on September 19 in Winnipeg.
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Date Modified : 2008/09/30
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