Some 25 Aboriginal members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada Prairie Region gathered in Winnipeg, Treaty 1 territory, for a first-ever Taking Action conference that brought Aboriginal activists from across the Prairie Region together to plan and organize with Aboriginal union activists.
“It created a lot of interest and excitement among the members that attended,” said Paul Daigneault, male representative on the National Aboriginal Peoples’ Circle.
Critical Timing
The timing of the conference was critical given the recent release of the Truth and Reconciliation recommendations; the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and the adoption of the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) by the federal government.
“Aboriginal union members have had involvement in the union but somewhat but sporadic at times,” Paul said. “[We] need to be involved more than ever now as many of the issues facing the communities and the workplaces are in dire need for action and that talk by politicians is not enough.”
Federal and provincial governments have made promises to Aboriginal people across Canada and they need to be taken to task on their promises, Paul said.
Priorities Outlined
Priorities identified at the conference include developing the capacity of the Aboriginal members through education and developing mechanisms such as Regional Aboriginal Peoples’ Circles (RAPCs) in each of the provinces across the Prairie Region.
The RAPCs can then focus on taking action on the 94 Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation report, enforcing the UNDRIP and calling for safe drinking water.
These were highlighted as pillars to developing healthy communities as activists strive to make sure that tragic events such those in La Loche and Atawapiskat never happen again.
A strategic plan was developed and will be released in the near future.