June 21 was proclaimed National Aboriginal Day by Canadian Parliament in 1996. Yet today, First Nations, Metis and Inuit and people throughout Canada continue to struggle for equality, justice and respect.
Over 1.8 million people reported having an Aboriginal ancestry, or ancestors with an Aboriginal Identity in Canada in 2011 .More than 1.4 million people (over 4% of the total population) identified themselves as an Aboriginal person. The single province with the highest percentage of people reporting an Aboriginal identity is Ontario with 21.5% of the population.
Over 1 million workers that the OFL represents, will continue to work alongside many Aboriginal organizations to lobby and advocate on the issues and broken promises that need immediate resolve, like the outstanding “boiled water” alerts still remaining on many of the reserves throughout Canada. “This is a blatant failure on behalf of the federal Conservatives to provide the basic rights that should be afforded to all people,” said Irwin Nanda, Executive Vice-President. “This should be addressed immediately.”
The OFL endorses the Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that highlights the ongoing human rights concerns of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. It urges the federal government to undertake a comprehensive, nation-wide inquiry into the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls, organized in consultation with Indigenous peoples.
“Enough is enough!!! said Joanne Webb Vice-President representing Aboriginal peoples. Repeated inaction by the Harper Government needs to stop now. This issue of violence against women and girls remains critical, and strong action must support needs to happen now!”
The OFL commends the ongoing advocacy by the Aboriginal Community around issues that affect their community and commends the Aboriginal community for its significant historical and social contributions to our country, our society and our unions.
“It is only though commitment and ongoing solidarity that labour, other communities alongside the Aboriginal, Metis and Inuit peoples can make a difference and fix all of the broken promises, right the wrongs imposed on this vital community,” said Irwin Nanda, Executive Vice-President.
