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CUPE & Manitoba Hydro Recognizes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

As Posted By Manitoba Hydro

A vivid orange flag now flies in front of 360 Portage Avenue to honor the survivors of the residential school system, their families and their communities, and to remember those who never returned home.

“With both Orange Shirt Day and the new National Day for Truth and Reconciliation statutory holiday on September 30, raising the Every Child Matters flag today is a pathway forward  for Manitoba Hydro to show our support to Indigenous peoples as we remember the impact and legacy of residential schools,” said Kevin Monkman (Indigenous & Community Relations). “Flying the flag outside our corporate headquarters is a meaningful statement – it visibly shows that our organization is standing with Indigenous peoples and communities to work towards reconciliation.”

The new national holiday fulfills Call-to-Action #80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report from 2015. It is intended to serve as a day of remembrance, reflection, action and learning. All Manitoba Hydro offices will be closed on Thursday, September 30, as Manitoba Hydro recognizes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Emergency service response will continue as per normal practice.

“It’s important for people to understand there is a connection between what we have come to know as Orange Shirt Day on September 30, and the work of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission to bring forward the truth about the residential school system for healing, to commemorate this legacy, and to pave the way for reconciliation,” said Maria M’Lot (Indigenous & Community Relations).

“For some, this just may be a day off work, however our hope is that many will take an opportunity to learn or participate in events or programming offered as we still have much work to do to right this great wrong.”

An Every Child Matters flag will be displayed at the Keeyask Project where a full day of on-site events are planned for September 30.

a group of people standing in front of a building
Rose Monkman (Distribution Engineering) raises the Every Child Matters flag outside 360 Portage Ave. Kevin Monkman (Policy & Strategic Initiatives), Susan Collins (Policy & Strategic Initiatives), and Vicky Cole (Director, Indigenous & Community Relations) stand behind.

How you can take part:

  • Read a book by an Indigenous author.
  • Review the 94 Truth and Reconciliation calls to action and commit to at least one.
  • Watch online events hosted by National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
  • Identify and support local Indigenous organizations and businesses.​​​​​​​

Bookmark your calendar with these virtual events and sample of other events and activities happening next week:

Tuesday, September 28, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: ​​​​​​​Indigenous Speakers Series: Joseph Maud – My Experience with Residential Schools and their Legacy. Click here to join the meeting

Wednesday, September 29, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.:  Indigenous Speakers Series: Darryl Taylor – My Experience with Residential Schools and their Legacy. Click here to join the meeting

​​​​​​​Local events in Manitoba:

Monday, September 27 to Wednesday, September 29: Reconciliation Week Sacred Fire – Winnipeg, Memorial Provincial Park across from Legislative Grounds

On Thursday, September 30:

  • Orange Shirt Day Pow Wow – Winnipeg
  • Orange Shirt Day – Keewatin Tribal Council – Thompson, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. MA-MOW-WE-TAK Friendship Centre – 4 Nelson Drive Thompson, Manitoba
  • Honour Our Ancestors Gathering – Thompson, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Royal Canadian Legion – 101 Elizabeth Drive Thompson, Manitoba

Friday, October 1, 11 a.m. Every Child Matters Ceremony – Winnipeg, SSCY Centre – 1155 Notre Dame Avenue.

​​​​​​​Online events:

  • National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Week: Eventbrite Sign Up – Truth and Reconciliation Week​​​​​​​
  • Thursday, September 30:  Virtual Story Time – The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad, 8:30 a.m. Register at www.guelphpl.ca/events
  • Thursday, September 30: Tk’emlúps Nation extends invitation to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Secwépemc Honour Song to drum and sing, 2:15 p.m. (Pacific time) https://vimeo.com/606861755​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

Retirement – CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer

CUPE Local 998 wishes Charles Fleury all the best, please read below for his message,

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends:

I have informed the National Executive Board today that I will not be reoffering for another term at the 2021 National Convention in November.

After careful and considerable discussion with my family and closest confidantes, I have decided to retire. I have had the very great honor of being your CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer since I was elected at the CUPE National Convention in the fall of 2011. These ten years have been some of the most rewarding and challenging of my life.

I will be leaving the National Secretary-Treasurer position but not the movement. I began his activism with a wildcat strike when I was just 18 years old and this activism grew into many years of leadership in my home local (CUPE 1500 at Hydro Quebec), and decades of involvement in the Quebec Labour movement. Since 2003, I have served on the CUPE National Executive Board where I experienced the incredible diversity and richness of CUPE across the country.

I can say with full confidence that it has been an honor to hold this position and to represent CUPE members every day. I will continue to be active in the movement and will see you on the picket lines and anywhere union members are standing up for themselves and fighting for a better future for all.

Solidarity!

CHARLES FLEURY
National Secretary-Treasurer