Strengthening Links with Aboriginal Peoples

The United Steelworkers support the significant steps taken by Aboriginal Peoples to address social and economic inequality through self-determination, the right to jobs, health care, housing and education.

What are we doing now?

At our 50th National Policy Conference held in Ottawa in April 2007, a resolution was passed regarding Aboriginal Peoples. The resolution called for support of equality-seeking objectives, recognition of the significant numbers of Aboriginal Peoples in the resource industries, and acknowledgement of the federal and provincial governments’ failures in upholding the rights of Aboriginal Peoples.

The United Steelworkers are resolved to work with Aboriginal Peoples/First Nations on:

• Exploring cooperative agreements in resource communities and resource industries
• Working to build stronger ties and possibly strategic alliances; and
• Promoting and expanding the involvement of Aboriginal/First Nations Steelworkers in the Union.

At the forefront of this work, the District 3 Aboriginal Working Group is currently:

• Working to establish links with the Aboriginal community in the District for potential strategic alliances.
• We encourage the support and involvement of union members and other social allies to support actions to address inequality in Canadian society.
• For further information, please contact Darren Patrick, Education Coordinator, District 3 at dpatrick@usw.ca

What more can we do?

• Continue lobbying the federal and provincial governments through our various Districts, labour councils, locals and committees for equality for Aboriginal Peoples.
• Continue to work with Aboriginal Peoples in union organizing campaigns.
• Ensure our collective agreements are helping to address historic inequities faced by Aboriginal Peoples as well as respecting current traditions and practices.
• Involve Aboriginal Peoples in local human rights committees.
• Invite representatives from a Native Friendship Centre or community service to speak at membership meetings about concerns and issues.
• Celebrate June 21st, the annual Aboriginal Peoples Day in your workplace, your local union, and your community. This is an opportunity for Steelworkers to stand behind the achievements and continuing struggles for rights to land, language, economic and cultural practices, law and government.