Aboriginal Council
A time to celebrate…and a time to make things better
2010 National Aboriginal Day Statement by CUPE Ontario
Click for Aboriginal Day flyer
National Aboriginal Day is a time to celebrate the cultures and contributions of our First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Ontario is proud to support this important annual celebration. In some cases, our members not only attend the events but are instrumental in organizing them.
While June 21 is set aside for celebration, it is also a day to remember that governments continue to neglect the deplorable conditions faced by First Peoples and have failed to provide for the basic necessities such as safe water, health care and economic sustainability. This year, 2010, it is also important to note that the long overdue Truth and Reconciliation process regarding Canada's sorry history with residential schools, is now, finally, underway. more...
2009 June 21 National Aboriginal People's Day:
Boozhoo, Sago, Aanii:
Happy Aboriginal Day. We ask the Creator to bring you all together with your friends and families.
We hope that everyone will join together with the Aboriginal communities in Ontario for a Day of Celebration, Learning and Fun. It is a day when we can share our traditions and our teachings and we want all to join us.
We hope that everyone has a beautiful day and remembers that all people should be treated equally.
To all your relations,
CUPE Ontario
Aboriginal Council
National Aboriginal Day: A History
First proclaimed in 1996, National Aboriginal Day on June 21 is a day of celebration where all nations within Canada recognize the important contributions that First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples have made to Canada.
Aboriginal groups across the country have events planned to celebrate June 21st.
While June 21 is a day of celebration, we must not forget that Aboriginal peoples and their communities across Canada are currently involved in actions aimed at increasing awareness of Canadians to the reality that many Aboriginal peoples live and work in conditions that are below any acceptable standard for a civilized country. Governments have failed to provide for the basic necessities such as safe water, health care and economic sustainability for many communities.
The inability of governments to recognize that these necessities are fundamental rights of citizenship has lead to many frustrations.
We recognize that for Aboriginal rights to be achieved and respected we must work with our newly formed councils to pressure governments to participate in meaningful negotiations with Aboriginal peoples, and to raise awareness to ---Aboriginal issues within CUPE and our communities.
Related Files
- Aboriginal Gathering September 17 - 19, 2010
- Restore Aboriginal Rights - CUPE
- Brantford Land Claims Research from First Nations May 15, 2008 at BCI Auditorium, Brantford
- House of Commons calls for implementation of UN Declaration
- Aboriginal Leaders Face Jail Time
- 2010 Olympics will not be all fun and games
- Land claims must be settled - Ryan's Article