For five years now, people across Canada have marked September 30 as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
It’s a time to remember the more than 150,000 children forcibly taken from their families and sent to residential schools, often far from home. More than 6,000 died, from tuberculosis, malnutrition, exposure to the elements while trying to escape, and suicide. This is a day to honour them and learn more about the horrors committed in the name of assimilation.
The legacy of colonialism continues today. And so, the United Steelworkers joins those committed to walking the path towards true reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. And we encourage all Steelworkers to attend events held nationwide, learn more about past injustices and commit to combatting injustices that last into the present.
As well as marking this day by wearing an Orange Shirt, the USW has developed resources to help take meaningful steps towards reconciliation, including:
- Reading about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the 94 recommendations it made in 2015.
On behalf of all Steelworkers, we recommit to continuing our union’s journey towards reconciliation and honouring the lives lost, children harmed and families torn apart in this shameful chapter of Canadian history.
