Dear Steelworkers,
I am proud to call for registrations for the fourth National Gathering for Indigenous Steelworkers (NGIS), to be held July 7-8, 2025, at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Treaty One Territory).
Under the theme “Growing our circle”, this gathering will be a place for Indigenous Steelworkers to share their experiences and to contribute to our union’s ongoing strategy for advancing the rights of Indigenous workers and communities. Growing our circle also signifies the USW’s commitment to the continued engagement of Indigenous Steelworkers in various workplaces across Turtle Island.
Beyond the activities held during the day, a dinner will be organized for participants on the evening of Monday, July 7. Delegates will also be encouraged to explore the Forks area at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, a meeting place for over 6,000 years, located on the home and traditional lands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Ininew (Cree), and Dakota peoples, as well as on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
Who should attend?
First and foremost, I’m inviting Steelworkers of Indigenous ancestry: those who identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.
I am calling on local unions to help us with this important work by reaching out to and sending Indigenous members to this gathering.
Registration is also open to non-Indigenous officers and stewards from local unions with Indigenous memberships.
These gatherings are always profoundly meaningful events for those who participate. I hope you can join our event in Winnipeg this July!
In solidarity,
Marty Warren National Director for Canada
MONDAY, JULY 7
– Registration: 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
– Call to order: 9:30 a.m.
– Opening by Elder
– Circle discussions and Keynote speakers
– Evening feast and cultural event at the Union Centre
TUESDAY, JULY 8
– Call to order: 9:00 a.m.
– Circle discussions and speakers, continued
– Words from Marty Warren, National Director for Canada
– Adjournment: 4:00 p.m.
Note: A light breakfast will be provided on Monday and Tuesday. Delegates will be on their own for lunches (there are many restaurants in the area.)
Register online here
Registration deadline: June 20, 2025
Registration fee: $300
Please make cheques out to “United Steelworkers” and mail to:
United Steelworkers NGIS 2025
800 – 234 Eglinton Ave. E.
Toronto, ON M4P 1K7
Childcare and accessibility requests can be made through the registration form. Please note that we must receive any requests for on-site childcare or for accessibility needs that require additional arrangements (e.g. a sign language interpreter, alternate materials) by May 20, 2025.
For questions or assistance, please contact conference@usw.ca or 416-487-1571.
The USW Family and Community Education Fund (FCEF) has bursaries available for eligible delegates. Up to $1,000 of actual costs will be reimbursed per member.
There are three categories of eligibility:
– Activists who are 35 and under AND members of equity-deserving groups (e.g. woman; Indigenous person; person living with a disability); OR
– Activists who are 35 and under AND new activists (have been USW members for 2 years or less AND/OR have not attended their first USW conference); OR
– Activists who are new to the union AND members of equity-deserving groups.
All fees must be paid upfront and submitted to the FCEF for reimbursement after the conclusion of the conference. NextGen members must be 35 years old or under as of gathering end date. Please contact fcef@usw.ca to receive the appropriate reimbursement form.
Fairmont Winnipeg
2 Lombard Place
Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0Y3
usw.ca/ngis2025hotel
Phone: 1-800-441-1414 (identify self as being with USW National Gathering for Indigenous Steelworkers)
$179/night (this rate available nights of July 6, 7 & 8)
To book a flight to the Gathering, consider booking with WE Travel at:
Phone: 613-232-9908
Toll Free: 1-888-676-7747
Email: Lorna Parent lorna@wetravel.net
A booking fee of $62.15 per airline ticket will apply.
This event will involve smudging and other uses of traditional Indigenous medicines. If you have concerns about sensitivity to these scents, please let us know. Otherwise, this is a fragrance-free event. Please refrain from wearing perfume/cologne, aftershave or other fragrances.