Statement from AUPE: National Indigenous Peoples Day

AUPE’s elected executive, on behalf of our entire membership, recognizes the struggles faced by Indigenous peoples and commits to challenging anti-Indigenous oppression.

National Indigenous Peoples Day falls on the 21st of every June, which is also National Indigenous History Month. While this is a time to celebrate the culture, heritage, strength and diversity of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people, it is also important to acknowledge the unjust treatment of Indigenous peoples at the hands of the colonial Canadian state, both historically and presently.

AUPE recognizes the acts of cultural genocide committed by settlers and the country’s institutions, including the residential school system, purging of language and customs, forced religious conversions, land seizures, and culling of the bison. We also recognize the systemic racism and injustices against Indigenous peoples that exist today.

The worldwide public outcry against police brutality and systemic racism, as well as it being one year since the release of the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls’ final report, have made clear the need to take action.

AUPE stands in solidarity with Indigenous sisters, brothers, and fellow workers within the union and beyond the union. We commit to challenging anti-Indigenous views in our union and our workplaces, and working toward creating a welcoming space for all AUPE members where we support Indigenous members’ cultures, land connections, and self-determination. This includes an even greater emphasis on collective action and decision-making, examining what our responsibilities are as a union in the area of reconciliation, and working to create safer spaces for dialogue and understanding of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit histories and struggles.

We encourage all AUPE members to recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21st and reflect on what it means to foster truth and reconciliation in our communities and workplaces. We, as an Executive, commit to reflecting on what this day means, and we commit to learning more about what our responsibilities are as settlers, as leaders, and as a union.

Indigenous peoples and communities who are organizing for justice have our support and solidarity.

Sincerely and in Solidarity

AUPE Executive Committee