FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2000

EDMONTON – June 21st is National Aboriginal Day. This day was set aside to recognize the diversity of aboriginal people and their many valued contributions to Canada. The day also highlights the struggles aboriginal peoples have made for social justice, equality and the strength of unions and our communities.

"In order to develop an understanding of Canada’s aboriginal peoples, one must acknowledge their contributions," says Alberta Federation of Labour President, Audrey Cormack.

She states that this understanding cannot occur without taking an honest look at the past and present injustices faced by Canada’s aboriginal communities.

"Aboriginal people in Canada have had to battle colonial domination. Social, economic and political inequalities persist that deny aboriginal people full rights as Canadians. They still have to fight being thought of as second-class citizens," says Cormack.

"Even though we are in a new century, Canada’s aboriginal peoples are still facing difficult barriers and inequities in the labour market."

Cormack notes:

• The Aboriginal labour force is young and growing at twice the Canadian rate.
• The unemployment rate among Registered Indians is 27.2% compared to the 10.1% unemployment rate for all Canadians.
• In 1996, the average individual income among Registered Indians was only $14, 883 per year compared to $26,254 per year among all Canadians.

Cormack notes that the "signing of a treaty with the Nisga’a Tribal Nation in August of 1998 exemplifies the long wait our aboriginal peoples have had in attaining just settlements. The treaty had taken over 100 years to negotiate and was signed in less than honorable opposition."

"We must endorse the inherent sovereign rights of Aboriginal Canadians along with their rights to self-determination. We urge the government to negotiate with the leadership of the Aboriginal communities in good faith in a timely manner," says Cormack.

"As a organization representing labour, we support aboriginal land claims, aboriginal sovereignty and rights to self-determination. We owe this support to our aboriginal brothers and sisters," says Cormack.

The Federation has affirmative action positions on its executive council, a Workers of Colour and Aboriginal Workers Working Group, and sponsors a one-day forum each year where aboriginal workers and workers of colour can come together to discuss issues, strategies and make recommendations for change.

For more information call:
Audrey Cormack, President: 483-3021