Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

First Nations, Inuit and Métis people are making important contributions in the struggle for social justice, equality and workers’ and human rights. Their particular struggle is a response to colonialism, domination and the policy of assimilation pursued by the Canadian government.

The fight for access to employment, housing, education, health care and other basic social services continues on a daily basis for many Aboriginal people. While the United Nations Human Development Index rates the majority of Canadian society as having one of the highest quality-of-life scores, Aboriginal peoples in Canada would place 48th among the world’s nations in the same index.

The Kelowna Accord reached between the Prime Minister, the Provincial Premiers, the Territorial Leaders and Aboriginal Leaders in November was an important first step towards improving socio-economic conditions of Aboriginal peoples and communities. The Conservative government, by not committing the funds agreed to by the previous government in the federal budget, has effectively turned its back on Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

For Canada to remain credible internationally on human rights issues it can no longer ignore the issues of concern for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) joins our Aboriginal brothers and sisters in continuing to press the federal government to live up to its obligations with regards to treaty rights and self-determination.

As part of its expression of solidarity, the PSAC has taken the following initiatives:

• The establishment of the Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis (NAIM) Network, which provides a unified voice for the diverse community of Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis members of the PSAC. NAIM builds on the achievements of the Unity Conferences and the Equal Opportunities Committee (EOC) to press for the advancement of Aboriginal Peoples’ issues within our union, workplaces and communities.
• The establishment of a fully funded Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis Workers National Conference that will be held in 2008.
• The adoption of a collective bargaining vision that is committed to membership involvement and representation with a goal that includes ensuring all members have workplaces that are barrier-free, without discrimination and harassment and promote diversity through employment equity.

In every region of Canada, PSAC members commemorate Aboriginal Solidarity Day by organizing events with Aboriginal members of the union. PSAC members are invited to forward report of activities on Aboriginal Solidarity Day to the PSAC’s Programs Section by calling (613) 560-4229 or by e-mail at programs@psac-afpc.com.