At HEU’s 30th biennial convention in 2016, the First Nations Standing Committee successfully put forth a constitutional amendment to change the committee’s name to the Indigenous Peoples Standing Committee to be more inclusive and accurately reflect Indigenous groups.
HEU is the union of choice for Indigenous health care workers in multiple sectors. Currently, the union represents more than 100 members of the Skidegate (Haida), Nisga’a and Stz’uminus Nations, who are covered by three independent contracts at six work sites across the province.
HEU has proudly represented Indigenous members since Nisga’a and Gitxsan certified in 1997. But it’s been an ongoing battle to keep unions in Indigenous communities.
In 1999, a groundbreaking Federal Court of Appeal victory – led by HEU – made it legal for unions to organize and certify Indigenous workers.
The committee is actively involved in a number of campaigns and events that raise awareness about Indigenous Peoples, including National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ("Orange Shirt Day", September 30), which draws attention to the atrocities of Canada’s residential school system; and the Red Dress Campaign to recognize missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people.
You can reach someone from the Indigenous Peoples Standing Committee by connecting with the HEU's Equity Office at: inclusion@heu.org.
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Members of the Indigenous Peoples Standing Committee for 2023-2024 are:
- Teresa Roe
- Che Baines
- Valerie Sailer
- Sheldon Agecouty
- Priscilla Richard
- Ray-Anne Weaver
- Fiona Luggi
- Lynn Serhan (Diversity Vice-President - Indigenous Peoples)
