Apply now for the 2025 OPSEU/SEFPO Indigenous Conference, May 30-June 1

The OPSEU/SEFPO Indigenous Circle invites you to submit your application for the 2025 Indigenous Conference!

The Conference theme is “Rising of Indigenous Women: Protecting the Land & Water,” and is taking place May 30 to June 1 at the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel.

The goal is to bring together OPSEU/SEFPO members in the spirit of learning, allyship and to build collaborative relationships that honour and centre Indigenous rights and priorities. The conference is being planned with members of the Six Nation of the Grand River who will be hosting the participants on Day 2 of the conference on their land. Participants will hear from Indigenous community leaders and activists on building relationships that foster labour partnership and Indigenous ownership.

Participants will be selected by the Indigenous Circle with assistance from the Member Equity Unit. The selection process seeks to achieve a diverse group of attendees, representative of Indigenous and other equity groups within OPSEU/SEFPO membership. Confirmation will be issued to the selected participants by end of March or early April. Expenses will be reimbursed as per OPSEU/SEFPO policy.

We invite you to come together to honour ancestral knowledge, engage in dynamic discussions centered in learning ways to build relationships, partnerships and learn ways to share the land, water and the environment. Join us on this journey to connect, collaborate and work towards meaningful reconciliation.

Applications are now closed.

In Solidarity,

OPSEU/SEFPO Indigenous Circle

Tentative Conference Agenda

Rising of Indigenous Women: Protecting the Land & Water

Sheraton Hamilton Hotel, 116 King Street West Hamilton, ON L8P 4V3

Friday, May 30, 2025

• 4:00 to 6:00 PM Registration (dinner on your own)
• 5:30 to 6:00 PM Smudge
• 6:30 to 9:00 PM Opening Ceremony and Keynote Speaker

Saturday, May 31, 2025

• 7:30 to 9:00 AM Breakfast (on your own)
• 9:00 to 9:30 AM Meet outside hotel for bus loading
• 9:30 to 10:15 AM Bus ride to Six Nations (Child Care Option)
• 10:15 to 12:15 PM Morning Teachings/Workshops
• 12:15 to 1:30 PM Lunch (provided)
• 1:30 to 4:30 PM Afternoon Teachings/Workshops
• 4:30 to 5:15 PM Bus ride (1492 Landback Lane)
• 5:15 to 7:15 PM Evening Session (Dinner provided) (BBQ & Unity Jam)

Sunday, June 1, 2025

• 7:30 to 9:00 AM Breakfast (on your own)
• 9:00 to 10:15 AM Morning Teachings
• 10:15 to 10:30 AM Break
• 10:30 to 11:30 AM Morning Teachings (Cont.)
• 11:30 to 12:00 noon Closing Ceremony
• 12:00 noon Depart

Online application form

Name *

First

Last

Nom *

First

Last

Personal (non-work) email address *

Email

Confirm Email

Adresse électronique personnelle : (pas au travail) *

Email

Confirm Email

Personal (non-work) cell *

Tél. cellulaire personnel (pas au travail) *

Local number

No de section locale

Union number

Numéro de syndicat

Home address *

Adresse du domicile *

Postal code *

Code postal *

Please indicate which of the following group(s) you identify with (please select all boxes that apply):

• A person of Indigenous ancestry (First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit)
• A racialized person
• Francophone
• A person with a disability
• 2SLGBTQIA+
• Women Identifying

Veuillez indiquer à quel groupe vous appartenez (cochez toutes les cases qui s'appliquent) :

• Une personne d'ascendance autochtone (Premières Nations, Métis et/ou Inuits)
• Personne racialisée
• Francophone
• Personne en situation de handicap
• 2SLGBTQIA+
• Femme (s’identifie)

You indicated you are a person of Indigenous ancestry. Please give details (Band, community, clan, etc) *

frYou indicated you are a person of Indigenous ancestry. veuillez donner des détails (bande, communauté, clan, etc.) *

What is your age group?

• 18-25
• 26-35
• 36-45
• 46-55
• 56-65
• Over 65

Votre groupe d'âge?

• 18-25
• 26-35
• 36-45
• 46-55
• 56-65
• Over 65

Are you active in OPSEU/SEFPO (eg. elected to a union position)? *

• Yes
• No

Êtes-vous actif(ve) au sein de l’OPSEU/SEFPO (p. ex., élu(e) à un poste au sein du syndicat? *

• Oui
• Non

Have you attended a prior OPSEU/SEFPO Indigenous Conference and/or Summit? *

• Yes
• No

Avez-vous déjà assisté à une Conférence des Autochtones de l’OPSEU/SEFPO? *

• Oui
• Non

As an ally, what steps have you taken in your journey to learn about Indigenous communities’ issues and fight for justice, sovereignty and self-determination? *

En tant qu’allié(e), quelles actions avez-vous prises dans votre parcours pour en apprendre davantage sur les problèmes des communautés autochtones et la lutte pour la justice, la souveraineté et l’autodétermination? *

What comes to mind when you hear the word “landback”? *

Qu’est-ce qui vous vient à l’esprit lorsque vous entendez le mot « landback »? *

What is the labour movement’s role in supporting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)? *

Quel est le rôle du mouvement syndical pour appuyer la Déclaration des Nations Unies sur les droits des peuples autochtones (DNUDPA)? *

How does this understanding change or build your allyship with Indigenous peoples at work and/or in your community? *

Comment ce rôle change-t-il ou consolide-t-il le soutien que vous apportez aux autochtones au travail et/ou dans votre communauté? *

In a few words, please tell us why you would like to attend this conference. *

En quelques mots, dites-nous brièvement pourquoi vous désirez assister à cette conférence. *

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