SFL celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day, encourages members to take part in the KAIROS Blanket Exercise

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 21, 2018

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) is celebrating June 21st – National Indigenous Peoples Day.

“Today we’re celebrating the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada, as well as continuing to call for the full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action,” said SFL president Larry Hubich, “the labour movement in Saskatchewan and across the country is stronger as a result of the many Indigenous members we have, and the perspectives and experiences they bring to their unions,” he added.

This year, the SFL is encouraging its working members, affiliated unions, and community partners to participate in the KAIROS Blanket Exercise to better our collective understanding of the ongoing legacies of colonization. The exercise is an interactive learning experience that teaches the Indigenous rights history we’re rarely taught. Developed in response to the 1996 Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples—which recommended education on Canadian-Indigenous history as one of the key steps to reconciliation, the Blanket Exercise covers over 500 years of history in a one and a half hour participatory workshop.

“The relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples experienced some high-profile challenges in the last year, particularly right here in Saskatchewan. To move forward, we are encouraging people to take part in the Blanket Exercise,” said Hubich, “the SFL regularly offers the Blanket Exercise through trained facilitators at our annual schools and educational events, and we will be offering the activity during our annual convention later this year. We feel this is one more thing we can do to continue on our path towards truth and reconciliation,” he added.

The SFL will continue other efforts, led by its Aboriginal Workers Committee, to engage First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities at large, take part in events and celebrations, and do all it can to stand in solidarity with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in their struggles for rights, recognition, and reconciliation.

The SFL represents over 100,000 working people across the province in 37 affiliated unions.

For additional information, contact:

Kent Peterson
Strategic Advisor
Saskatchewan Federation of Labour
o: 1 (306) 525-0197
m: 1 (306) 570-1855
e: k.peterson@sfl.sk.ca