BURNABY—A new video released this week by CUPE BC explores the meaning of Reconciliation and what people can do collectively and as individuals to foster equality and make Canada a more just society for Indigenous peoples.
“Reconciliation: CUPE Members Speak” is a thought-provoking, five-minute video in which delegates to the union’s April convention address different aspects of Reconciliation and what the concept means to them. The testimonials, musically accompanied by a drumming composition from Culture Saves Lives, focus on the need to redress historical wrongs while taking concrete actions in the present.
“Each of us has a part to play in making Canada a more just society,” says CUPE BC President Paul Faoro.
“These testimonials contribute to the discussion on how to make that a reality. While the onus for Reconciliation is on the non-Indigenous population that continues to benefit the most from the land we all share, all our members—including those who are First Nations and Metis—have something valuable to contribute to this discussion.”
Since November 2015, when the Federal Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its 94 calls to action to redress the historic wrongs of the Indian Residential School System, a national dialogue has taken place about how to make Canada more inclusive and equitable for Indigenous peoples.
The Reconciliation video project, an initiative of CUPE BC’s Indigenous Workers Committee, is a worthwhile addition to the dialogue, says Faoro.
View the whole video here.
View the trailer here.
