"I was there when we brought the Union in. The first-time contract they won for us was unbelievable. It changed the quality of my life. I am now a Shop Steward and enjoy working with my Union and looking after my fellow workers. "
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 29, 2022
As a society, it is important to always look ahead, always trying to make our world a better place whether socially, environmentally, spiritually or what have you.
As commendable as these pursuits can be, it is important to keep an eye on our past as well, as we can learn greatly from where we’ve been to ensure we know how to get to where we’re going. However, some of what we know about, or suspect, about our past is uncomfortable, or even horrifying, but these things can neither be ignored or erased.
For many, many years, society has learned, mostly through oral histories, of contemptible abuses of power and corruption at the hands of our government and religious establishments. I’m talking about the Residential Schools program that was forced upon the Indigenous communities in Canada and elsewhere.
Many people didn’t want to hear about such abuses and doubt was sowed to try to muddle the narrative. That is until recent discoveries revealed mass graves at school sites around the Province and across the Country. Shockingly, society couldn’t ignore the allegations anymore.
In 2021, the Federal Government declared September 30th of each year as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
We believe this action was an important first step in what will surely be a very long process of healing for our neighbours, friends, families and co-workers.
Acknowledgement of these abuses of our Indigenous citizens, who can express a litany of further abuses in the name of colonialism, “cleansing” and “taming”.
We encourage such dialogue, as it is the only path toward healing, or closure, for the many generations that have been, and continue to be affected. Canada being a multi-cultural Nation, it is truly our wish to see all people, regardless of race, sex, colour or creed, treated with respect and with an eye towards understanding each other.
As a part of our personal acknowledgement, let me state that we at Local 464 recognize that our offices are located in the unceded territory of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
Please take some time on September 30th to reflect on our shared past and find some empathy within yourself to better understand the effects of these actions on an important and honourable segment of our society.
In Solidarity,
Paul Barton
Secretary-Treasurer
Teamsters Local Union No. 464