Greetings

It seems that June is a great time of year to celebrate. Maybe it’s because the weather is getting nicer, and we are all looking forward to a break. Maybe sometime at the beach or at a cottage or camping in one of Canada’s fabulous national parks.

But while June is also a time to celebrate, it is also a time to commemorate and acknowledge that as we are making progress, there is also a lot of work still left to do in our country. This is particularly true about Reconciliation and Indigenous Rights and the challenges facing 2SLGBTQIA+ community members.

First, on Reconciliation, June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This holiday that has been officially celebrated since 1996 features ceremonies and celebrations that bring Indigenous people and communities together. It is important to note that not only Indigenous people celebrate on June 21. They invite all Canadians to join in the recognition of their languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs.

There are many ways in which all of us can celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. Here are a few suggestions:

• Find local events celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations and plan to attend with family, friends, colleagues
• Educate yourself about the Indigenous history of where you live and work
• Read a book by an Indigenous author or listen to some Indigenous music
• Organize a reading and discussion of the 10 Guiding Principles of Reconciliation from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report
• Read the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which is the framework for reconciliation at all levels and across all sectors of Canadian society.

In June all across the country Canadians celebrate Pride as a welcome opportunity for all of us, regardless of our sexual identity to acknowledge and celebrate our differences. It is also a chance to remember the struggles in the past for acceptance and equality and to realize that there is still much work to do in and on behalf of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This year as we celebrate in big cities and small towns we should also try and provide a little extra support to trans youth in our communities. They seem to be under attack from a variety of sources and need to know that we have their back. Speaking out on their behalf and supporting their rights would also be most welcome.

This June let’s celebrate our differences and show our solidarity. Let’s move a little closer to Reconciliation with our Indigenous friends and neighbours and show our support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

As always, we’d love to hear from you. Drop me a line at the e-mail below.

Help us build UHEW together!!

In solidarity

Shimen Fayad
shimen.fayad@uhew-stse.ca