Building relationships on the path to reconciliation: USW Indigenous Engagement Co-ordinators

As Julia McKay developed her knowledge and skills as a USW activist, she recognized how Steelworkers and members of Indigenous communities share common values and aspirations.

“I see the Steelworkers kind of like an Indigenous community in some ways,” says McKay, an activist with USW Local 9346 in British Columbia who traces her Indigenous ancestry to the Tsim Shian First Nation, based on the B.C. Coast.

Within Indigenous communities, as in the union, “we try to be stewards and we try to educate ourselves, and others,” McKay says. “We work together and we support each other and those around us, so that everybody can be better. We try to support our Indigenous and non-indigenous members and we try to be the best neighbours we can be to our Indigenous communities.”

The potential for building relationships based on those shared values and aspirations is a key reason why McKay wanted to be part of a new project proposed by the USW National Indigenous Committee.

In January of this year, McKay and Josh George, an activist from USW Local 9597 in Ontario, began a 10-month pilot project in their new roles as the union’s first Indigenous Engagement Co-ordinators.

Based on the recommendation put forward by the USW National Indigenous Committee, USW directors approved the hiring of Indigenous Engagement Co-ordinators in Districts 3 and 6.

The pilot project calls for the new co-ordinators to offer strategic support to local unions to build stronger relationships with Indigenous members and Indigenous communities. The co-ordinators also are working with local unions and USW staff to create a practical guide that will be available later in 2023 to all locals to build those relationships and ensure respectful engagement with Indigenous members and communities.

“We’re reaching out to our locals and hearing what they’re doing to build these relationships, and how we can help them to expand on that work,” says George. “There is already significant progress and efforts that are being made by our local leaders, by our staff and by our members, and we’re building on that.”

George is a member of the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, in southern Ontario. He also spent much of his youth living on the Aamjiwnaang First Nation. His ties to his community helped in his decision to seek the position of USW Indigenous Engagement Co-ordinator.

“I thought I had the background for it and I knew that I could always get support from my home community if I needed it,” he says. “And it’s a way for me to get reconnected with our traditional ways and to bring that education and awareness forward to our members.”

While much more work lies ahead, George and McKay say they’re proud of the USW’s commitment to engaging and supporting Indigenous members, to building relationships with Indigenous communities and to the ongoing process of reconciliation.

“I’m very thankful to be part of this journey and so very excited to see the doors that this project and the (National Indigenous) Committee will open for our Indigenous siblings and communities,” says McKay.

“It’s a challenge and it’s a bit daunting, but we’re up for it.”

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