Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day, and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees is recognizing and celebrating the history, cultures, and strength of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people.
“AUPE is Alberta’s largest union and we’re proud to have a strong and diverse membership that includes Indigenous Peoples,” said Karen Weiers, AUPE Vice-President and Chair of the union’s Human Rights Committee.
The union is inviting members and the public to visit indigenous.alberta.ca to view the many Indigenous Peoples Day events around the province.
“We urge folks to participate in these events and to learn more about Indigenous history and culture, and the importance of reconciliation,” said Weiers.
AUPE members can also refer to the downloadable Treaty acknowledgement guide.
“The goal is to help and encourage our members to respectfully acknowledge the Indigenous peoples on whose traditional territories we live and work,” said Weiers. “Whether at the beginning of a presentation or during a worksite meeting, territorial acknowledgement is part of the ongoing process of reconciliation.”
Weiers stressed that such action is but a first step on the path to more meaningful action.
“Reconciliation is ongoing work, and understanding this history and first steps like land acknowledgement are part of that process.”