Unions and the Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation Process
May 17, 2023 at 4:00 PM PST Maritime Labour Centre 111 Victoria Drive Vancouver, BC V5L 4C4
IN PERSON at the Maritime Labour Centre | Lunch will be provided
This course will examine the history and nature of Aboriginal land claims, the inter-generational impact of the residential school system, the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and an overview of current Aboriginal issues. The relevance of these issues to the labour movement will be examine and groups will brainstorm ways in which tools such as collective bargaining, contract administration, and political campaigns can be used to advance the goals of the Commission.
Facilitators: Conni Kilfoil, Tammy Simonds
Conni Kilfoil is a retired labour and human rights lawyer who, after 28 years in the BC Labour movement, continues to be a human rights advocate, facilitator, trainer and mediator, specializing in Human Rights in the Workplace, Accommodation of Disabilities, and Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace. Conni is a recipient of the Vancouver and District Labour Council Syd Thompson Award for Community Service.
Tammy Simonds was born and raised in Prince Rupert, on the northwest coast of BC, on unceded traditional Tsimshian territory. A Metis, Tammy is a direct descendent, on her mother’s side, of Cuthbert Grant, a leader of the Metis people of the North-West/Red River in the early 1800’s. She is currently a member of the Metis Nation of BC.
Tammy became a CUPE National Representative in the Terrace Area office in 1999, where she serviced a number of Indigenous locals of CUPE, including the Lax kw’alaams Band Council, the Nisga’a School District, the Kitselas Band Council and Northern Native Broadcasting.
Tammy was a staff advisor to CUPE BC’s Committee Against Racism and Discrimination and was part of the team that organized the first Aboriginal Gathering of CUPE members in BC, which took place in Terrace. She retired from CUPE in 2011.