As part of our union’s commitment to learn from the experiences and celebrate the successes of Indigenous, Black and racialized CUPE members, CUPE is profiling members of the National Indigenous Council and National Racial Justice Committee. This month, meet National Indigenous Council member Konrad Beston.

A single convention resolution opened the door to a profound journey for CUPE 403 member Konrad Beston. “It changed my life,” he says of the resolution passed at the 2021 CUPE BC convention, encouraging locals to add a seat on their executive boards for an Indigenous member.

In 2022, Konrad’s local added an executive seat for a member-at-large representing Indigenous workers. Konrad was the first person to hold the position.

Konrad is Métis from Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan in Treaty 4 territory. He’s been a member of the CUPE BC Indigenous Committee since 2022 and is serving his first term on CUPE’s National Indigenous Council. He’s been a Township of Langley stormwater worker for 18 years.

Executive position sparks change

Seeing his local embrace representation for Indigenous members and include an Indigenous voice in decision-making gave Konrad a sense of pride he hadn’t always felt.

“Growing up, I really struggled with where I fit in as an Indigenous person because I didn’t grow up on reserve, but I didn’t fit in on the European settler side either. I didn’t realize how much it affected me until I got older,” he says. “Society taught us to be ashamed of who we were.”

He didn’t feel acknowledged for who he was until high school, where he met Aboriginal Support Workers who worked with Indigenous youth. Even with that positive support, he still faced racism and couldn’t be who he really was.

As an adult Konrad spent years being guarded, wary of sharing his Indigenous identity. “I didn’t want to talk about it because I felt it just opened the door for people to say mean, stereotypical things about me.”

After occasionally going to meetings and not getting too involved in his local, the executive position sparked Konrad to get active.

“For the first time in my life, I had that sense of safety to feel that it was OK to acknowledge who I was as a Métis person.”

Walking the path of truth and reconciliation

Since taking on the executive position, Konrad has worked to raise awareness and build allies among his coworkers.

“I’ve slowly planted the seeds that I think need to happen in order to walk the path of truth and reconciliation. And now I’m starting to see them grow and bloom.”

Now, other Indigenous coworkers approach him to share their story or ask a question. “I want those people to have that same sense of pride in themselves,” says Konrad. “You have to heal yourself first before you can really go forward and take care of others.”

He answers questions from non-Indigenous coworkers who want to be allies and points them to community resources where they can do their own learning.

“My approach is to make them curious. You share a bit of information, but you don’t force it on them and then that curiosity opens their heart, their eyes, their ears, to want to learn more instead of being forced to learn it.”

In his time working for the township, he’s seen the workforce grow to have many Indigenous, Black or racialized members. That makes fighting racism through CUPE’s Anti-Racism Strategy crucial, he says.

“It comes down to creating a safe workplace. And now that we have such a diverse population of people in our workplaces, there’s no way you can ignore that. Having these strategies and education in place is what’s going to make that change.”

Three generations of healing

The biggest impact of Konrad’s engagement is also the closest to home. Konrad tears up when he describes the powerful experience this has been for his family.

“I have two boys – 8 and 11 – and they’re proud of who they are. Unfortunately, all my father’s side of the family wasn’t brought up with our culture. It was hidden because they were afraid to share who they are,” he says. “There are three generations of healing that is happening.”

Healing is happening in many ways, including at his old high school, where Konrad has joined a drum group run by the school’s Aboriginal support workers. “The first day I went, I learned so much and I was welcomed into that family. Now my boys and I are a part of that drum group and family which is helping us learn culture. Not just Métis culture, but also a lot of other First Nations culture.”

Connecting through water

Konrad’s employer has recognized his role by asking him to co-facilitate Indigenous allyship and anti-racism training. His employer also asked for his leadership on an important water project the township is developing with the neighbouring Katzie First Nation.

As someone who fishes for salmon, Konrad lives his work. He used to be an operator who built and maintained stormwater infrastructure and is currently a foreman in the same department. “We take care of all our waterways. The Water is Life campaign really made sense to me. I’m already doing this work, ensuring there’s clean water and that it’s better for the salmon.”

Konrad is part of a township team working with Katzie First Nation to restore Yorkson Creek, which runs through Katzie territory before emptying into the Fraser River. Over time, industrialization and invasive plant species have choked the creek, and salmon aren’t returning.

In addition to creating an environment where salmon can thrive, Konrad wants to make sure community members learn about the Katzie First Nation and the history of the creek, including c̓aχc̓əχəm – the name the creek had for thousands of years before colonization.

When he took on the project, Konrad learned about the significance of the creek to the Katzie people.

“The creek is seen as one of their oldest matriarchs and living relatives and that’s why it’s important to take care of and protect the life it gives to everything around it.”

Stepping out of his comfort zone

His union involvement helped Konrad discover his own artistic side and deepen his connection with the art and culture of Coast Salish nations. When his local wanted a T-shirt to commemorate Orange Shirt Day, Konrad consulted with community artists and ended up designing the shirt himself with the guidance of an artist from the Kwantlen First Nation.

The shirt was a big hit and raised funds for the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society, supporting a safe space where elders can support residential school survivors.

“To see members in my workplace wearing a shirt that I created – I was blown away,” says Konrad, who told them “you’re part of my reconciliation story, and you’re doing the work with me.”

Konrad has also designed a T-shirt for the New Westminster and District Labour Council, where he sits on the Indigenous standing committee, and has designed frisbee art for the Canadian disc golf team.

Konrad has one piece of advice for Indigenous, Black or racialized members who want to get more involved in their union. “Get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. Because when you step out of your comfort zone, that’s when things start to happen and change.”

“They need to know there is a safe place, and that your voice should be heard.”

“I never thought there would be a voice for an Indigenous person in my union. I want everyone to experience that, especially Indigenous people. I want them to experience being proud of who they are.”

Learn more about CUPE’s Anti-Racism Strategy including Goal 4, which focuses on highlighting the lived experiences of Indigenous, Black and racialized members and celebrating their successes, at cupe.ca/cupes-anti-racism-strategy. And check out these tips for putting the strategy into action in your local.