June 20 2024

Celebrated during National Indigenous History Month, National Indigenous Peoples Day takes place annually on June 21. The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is proud to join in recognizing the histories, cultures, resilience, and innovation of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. Indigenous people have been on the land we call Canada since time immemorial and continue to play a crucial role as stewards of the land and water. Today we celebrate all the contributions Indigenous people have made to our shared histories, societies, communities, and unions.

Indigenous history is more than just the history of Canada and colonization. When talking about our shared history, the word reconciliation, which simply means building a relationship with Indigenous peoples based on respect, is mentioned frequently. Reconciliation isn’t a single act; it’s a way of life and something that must be practiced with intention.

There cannot be reconciliation without truth, which means learning about Canada’s history of colonization, genocide, and racism. We encourage members to read the reports on the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s website, especially Where Are The Children Buried? This report focuses on the children who died in Canada’s residential school system. We also recommend reading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission reports and corresponding Calls to Action. We also encourage members to read Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the corresponding Calls for Justice.

These reports fill in some of the knowledge gaps that were created by not including Indigenous history and Canada’s history of colonization in school curriculum until recently. They are the tip of the iceberg, but a good starting place for Canadians who want to play a more active role in reconciliation.

Please visit the Government of Canada webpage for more information about National Indigenous Peoples Day. You can also use the Government of Canada’s list of events to find an event for National Indigenous Peoples Day near you.