CUPE Local 500 > News/Media > News Archive > CUPE Local 500 applauds Winnipeg’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation calls to action directed at municipalities

CUPE Local 500 applauds the recent announcement by the Mayor of Winnipeg to declare 2016 as the Year of Reconciliation for Winnipeg.

“We are pleased that the Mayor and Council are taking a strong leadership role in responding to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” said Local 500 President, Gord Delbridge.  “CUPE has a long and proud history of being a good ally to Indigenous peoples, and the Local is proud to offer our support of Winnipeg’s efforts for reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples in our community.”

The Mayor also committed to implement calls to action that came out of the national Truth and Reconciliation Commission directed at municipalities including:

  • Education - enhance the City of Winnipeg’s existing diversity training for employees by making it mandatory for all City of Winnipeg staff with an increased focus on the legacy of residential schools.
  • Commemoration/Education – work with residential school survivors, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and existing owners to establish historical signage at the former Assiniboia Indian Residential School on Academy Road.
  • Engagement – Winnipeg Library Services will seek to partner with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to become more actively involved in public engagement, education, and reconciliation activities.

“I have reached out to the Mayor to offer Local 500’s support and willingness to help facilitate changes at the City of Winnipeg,” said Delbridge.  “We believe CUPE can play an important role to support actions in the area of diversity education and training and other reconciliation activities that will be beneficial to our members and to the community.”

At its 2015 CUPE National Convention, delegates passed resolutions put forward by the union’s National Aboriginal Council committing the union to reconciliation with indigenous peoples.  These resolutions include advocating for the Canadian government to implement these calls to action, and a commitment to applying these actions to the work the union does every day as a trade union.

 “Reconciliation begins with all of us,” said Delbridge.  “The calls for action by the City are good and positive things that we can achieve especially when we all work together.”

You can click here to read a copy of the letter from Local 500 President Gord Delbridge to Mayor Bowman.