USW local unions and activists have a new tool to help build relationships and engage with Indigenous Steelworkers and communities.
Developed from interviews with dozens of Indigenous Steelworkers, local unions, staff and members of the USW National Indigenous Committee, Building Trust, Becoming Allies is a new guide with resource sheets, examples of ways locals are building relationships with local Indigenous communities, how they are using the USW Bargaining Guide for Advancing Indigenous Rights and educating employers on Indigenous issues.
An example in the guide comes from USW Local 6500 in Sudbury, Ont. During the 2021 strike against Vale, members realized that picket lines could affect the daily routines of members of the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation. Local union members spoke with these workers to explain the strike and what could happen on the road by the mine site. Steelworkers made a lane so that Sagamok band members could get in and out of their community and not be held up by the picket line.
“For as big as the USW is in Canada, there are a lot more stories and more learning we can do from our Indigenous membership. There is so much we can learn and continue building on,” said Josh George, USW District 6 Indigenous Engagement Co-ordinator. George is one of the guide authors along with District 3 Indigenous Engagement Co-ordinator Julia McKay and USW Education and Equality Department Leader Adriane Paavo.
“We started by presenting the guide to USW staff in both districts 3 and 6, and soon we’ll be presenting it to local unions in both District 3 and District 6 to increase engagement. Local unions are busy, so doing the presentations is important to draw attention to this resource,” said McKay. Local unions wanting to make connections with Indigenous communities can contact the USW’s Indigenous Engagement Co-ordinators to plan first steps.
Building Trust, Becoming Allies will be available on the website soon. In the meantime, get resources and support for connecting with Indigenous communities at usw.ca/trc-action.
This article appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of USW@Work magazine.
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