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Unifor marks the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on August 9 by reaffirming our commitment to Indigenous communities through the union’s ongoing projects and initiatives.
Our union believes in the need for continued advocacy and action to address the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples worldwide. At home and abroad, the Unifor Social Justice Fund (SJF) supports many projects aimed at promoting social and economic justice for Indigenous communities, like Water First’s Environmental Water Indigenous Internship Program. This program offers 15-month paid internships to Indigenous youth, providing technical and employment skills in water and fish resource management within their communities. This promotes environmental and ecological stewardship and creates vital employment opportunities for Indigenous youth.
Additionally, the union’s support for the Tears to Hope Society underscores our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. This initiative focuses on addressing the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) through community education toolkits, family healing retreats, youth camps, and the Tears to Hope Relay. These efforts aim to the prevent violence through education, and promote healing, particularly for Indigenous youth and families of MMIWG.
Canada’s Commission on Truth and Reconciliation declared in its 94 Calls to Action that we will only prevent ongoing harm and discrimination toward Indigenous people through education. At the country’s leading labour education centre, Unifor regularly offers the wildly popular Turtle Island: A First People’s Awareness course that explores the history between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Unifor's dedication to Indigenous solidarity is unwavering.
We continue to advocate for Indigenous rights, support initiatives that foster economic empowerment and contribute to the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous cultures. Our actions are guided by the principles of social unionism, working-class solidarity, and the belief that a just and equitable world is possible for all.
On this International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, we honour the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities and reaffirm our commitment to justice and equality.
