National Indigenous Peoples Day 2025
The CUPE Ontario Indigenous Council is firmly committed to promoting and defending the rights of all Indigenous workers in our union and in our communities. The committee’s goal is to educate our membership about Indigenous issues, increase participation of Indigenous members, and combat discrimination. They do this through actively participating in their communities, provincial coalitions, lobby days and political campaigns.
Campaigns, Events, and Initiatives
Acknowledging Territory
Welcome and acknowledgement of traditional territory is recognizing Indigenous people as traditional stewards of the land and is an important part of showing respect for First Nations. Download the standard CUPE Ontario Indigenous Greeting for in-person events here and for virtual events here, both of which are customizable for the community you live in.Learn more at www.native-land.ca
Collective Bargaining
A time for truth, a time for reconciliation: Making a commitment through collective bargaining
CUPE is committed to ensuring that locals have access to resources that support the union in their reconciliation work. One of the ways that CUPE locals can support reconciliation is by bargaining language into collective agreements that supports Indigenous workers. This is a resource for those who want to put reconciliation into action at the bargaining table.
- Download the guide,
- Order free printed copies for your Local from CUPE National.
Support Bill C-641
Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
Wachiya:
Thirty years ago, I was invited to go to the UN, by the Cree Ambassador, to begin negotiating for the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Through my experience, many of the principles from Paix des Braves were brought into the UNDRIP process and were made part of the document.
It is with great pleasure that I am introducing my Bill C-641: An Act to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
This is a unique opportunity for Canada to move towards a true nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples that reflects the letter, spirit and intent of our treaties. I hope that Indigenous people, organizations, governments and communities, and indeed all Canadians, will support this bill. It is time to send a clear message to the Government of Canada that all federal laws must respect the purposes and principles established in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
I truly believe that this bill is important for future generations on this land, which is why I am asking for your support.
Romeo Saganash
Read More On…
The Lois Hill Scholarship is open to Indigenous members, or the children of Indigenous members of CUPE Ontario, to undertake a course of post-secondary studies for the 2020/2021 academic year.
Click to read the report: Grassy Narrows mercury poisoning can be remediated
First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Messages from the Indigenous Council Chair and members
Send us a message!
Send a message to the Aboriginal Council – just fill in the form below and we will get back to you.
