Toronto – September 28, 2022 – On September 30 we commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation proclaimed by the federal government in 2021 as a day to reflect, learn and participate in reconciliation-based and Indigenous-led actions.

UFCW Canada remains deeply committed to advocating alongside UFCW Indigenous members and allies for national recognition of this date of observance across all levels of government. We call on the federal government to increase its efforts to uphold the rights of Indigenous persons by increasing its compliance with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the 231 Calls for Justice to rectify the continued underfunding of Indigenous peoples on and off-reserve when it comes to water, housing, health and education, just to name a few.

This past summer, at the 13^th UFCW Canada National Council Convention, UFCW members across Turtle Island provided unanimous support for a resolution calling for strengthened lobbying efforts to achieve observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a public holiday across all Canadian provinces and territories. To learn more about the Make Truth and Reconciliation Day a Statutory Holiday digital campaign, click here.

Our union’s efforts also include supporting the work of Indigenous-led organizations and further to our $25,000 donation to the Anishnawbe Health Foundation, a new building is underway in Toronto, Ontario. UFCW members can check it out here: https://rtsp.me/embed/zbKGyts6/.  

This September 30, join the Anishnawbe Health Foundation as they feature Traditional Healer, Peter Wynne, at 12pm EDT, through their Wisdom Weavers Storytelling & Traditional Teachings Series on their Facebook page.

Education and awareness are important tools in strengthening Indigenous rights advocacy and allyship at work. For this reason, stay tuned for the soon to be released and updated UFCW Canada Indigenous rights course through our webCampus platform, free to all UFCW members and their families.

For more information on UFCW Canada Reconciliation-based initiatives see www.ufcw.ca/reconciliation.