(TORONTO, ON) – The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) affirms its solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Nation, as they steadfastly defend their territories, and with those who are actively supporting Indigenous sovereignty through protests and blockades across Ontario and Canada.
The recent arrests of land defenders is yet another shameful example of Canada’s failure to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. The Wet’suwet’en Nation has the inherent right to self-determination, which includes the right to defend their lands. The OFL encourages the RCMP, Coastal Gaslink, and all levels of government to engage in true reconciliation – not just through words, but in meaningful actions that reflect and create a strong nation-to-nation relationship.
Government actions that continue to perpetuate Canada’s ongoing legacy of colonialism and cultural genocide must stop.
Here in Ontario, the Ford government, like settler governments before them, have failed to take action towards reconciliation, even acting to reverse progress. The reality is that Indigenous peoples still do not have access to clean drinking water, shelter, and food security in this province. Further, the Conservative government has halted curriculum development for elementary and secondary students on Indigenous culture, history, and contributions; cut the Indigenous Culture Fund; and dismantled the Anti-Racism Directorate’s subcommittee to combat anti-Indigenous racism, placing Ontario even further behind.
We all share a collective responsibility for reconciliation. Demonstrate your solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Nation by joining Toronto’s Family Day March on February 17 at 2pm and by signing up for updates at http://unistoten.camp/.
The Ontario Federation of Labour represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. For information, visit www.OFL.ca and follow @OFLabour on Facebook and Twitter.
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For more information, please contact:
Meagan Perry, Director of Communications
Ontario Federation of Labour
mperry@ofl-org.flywheelsites.com l 416-894-3456
