Tuesday, September 28 – 6pm, Eastern
Truth and reconciliation: conversations for CUPE members
How can CUPE members contribute to truth and reconciliation with Indigenous people? What can we learn from Indigenous CUPE members and their experiences and activism? And how can we support the fight for justice for today’s generation of Indigenous children and youth?
These and other questions will be addressed at a free, national webinar hosted by CUPE’s Human Rights Branch, in collaboration with Union Education.
What: A Conversation about Truth and Reconciliation for CUPE members
When: Tuesday, September 28, 6:00 PM, Eastern
Who: Event speakers include:
- Debra Merrier, Diversity Vice-President for Indigenous Workers, CUPE National Executive Board
- John Brady McDonald, Senator, CUPE Saskatchewan Indigenous Council Committee
- Dr. Niigaanwewidam Sinclair, Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba
- Mark Hancock, National President, and Charles Fleury, National Secretary-Treasurer, will provide opening remarks and introduce Elder Thomas Louttit.
- Moderator: Dana Wesley, Senior Officer (Indigenous Issues), CUPE Human Rights Branch
Event details:
- The webinar will be followed by moderated Q&A sessions
- ASL and live captioning will be provided
- Registration required. All welcome
- Register here
Background
For years, Indigenous people have been organizing and educating Canadians on the legacies and impacts of the country’s residential school system. Since 2013, advocates have organized awareness campaigns to coincide with September 30, calling it “Orange Shirt Day”.
Orange Shirt Day has become a national rallying point to support Indigenous people’s calls for justice and healing for all those affected by the residential school system. The day also acknowledges the pressing need for justice for Indigenous children and youth today. Indigenous children continue to endure sub-standard health, housing, education and social supports compared to all other Canadian children.
This past June, the federal government passed legislation that made September 30 the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada called for such a day to “honour survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process”.
CUPE is honouring this year’s National Day with two webinars for CUPE members, one in French and one in English. (For information on the French webinar, click here.)
Register here
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