On the morning of October 4, a sacred fire will be lit to honour and remember missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. This fire will burn in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario during the third USW National Gathering for Indigenous Steelworkers, held October 5-6 in that community. The USW National Aboriginal Committee thanks Firekeeper Mishomis and his helpers, and recognizes that the fire and the national gathering will take place on the territory of the Batchewana and Garden River First Nations.
Increasing safety and respect for Indigenous women and girls remains a critical need in Canada. A recent Statistics Canada report says that, nationally, 63 per cent of Indigenous women have experienced physical or sexual assault in their lifetime, a rate much higher than the experience of non-Indigenous women.
USW urges all governments to support steps to increase economic security and sovereignty for Indigenous nations and individuals.
As a small act of solidarity, we encourage you to take part in a vigil in your home community. Check with local women’s shelters or Indigenous people’s organizations, or google “2022 sisters in spirit vigil near me” or “2022 mmiwg vigil near me”.
Young Steelworkers from Canada and U.S. build ties with allies from around the world
April 3, 2025| News Articles
Young Steelworkers activists from Canada and the U.S. recently participated in the Global Union Youth Exchange in Mexico City, where they built leadership skills and shared experiences with counterparts from Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Turkey. The youth exchange program attracted young members from all USW Canadian Districts and Districts 4 and 12 in the U.S., […]
B.C. Forests Minister announces new Forestry Support Bureau, promising action to protect jobs and strengthen the sector
April 3, 2025| Media Releases
Statement from Scott Lunny, United Steelworkers (USW) Western Canada Director, on new Forestry Support Bureau announced by B.C. Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar: At the recent meeting of United Steelworkers union (USW) Local 1-2017 in Prince George, B.C.’s Minister of Forests, Ravi Parmar, spoke about acting on a proposal that has been pushed for over […]
March is a moment to celebrate International Women’s Day and women’s work in their union communities. This month, we’re proud to highlight Amanda Slack, a passionate union activist, USW District 6 Women of Steel Committee member and Vice-Chair of Sub-Local 1-500 at USW. She currently works at Hartmann Canada. Amanda started her union journey as […]
