Status of Current Councils

CUPE Manitoba Aboriginal Council

Provincial

The CUPE Manitoba Aboriginal Council was officially formed through a resolution which was passed at a CUPE Manitoba Convention. All CUPE Aboriginal members from Manitoba are able to participate at council meetings. Following Aboriginal traditions and the National Aboriginal Terms of Reference, decisions are made by consensus and if consensus is not reached elections are done. Also included in selection of the two members from Manitoba is gender balance. Chairpersons are elected on odd years and a Vice-Chair and Recording-Secretary on even years. Any member in attendance or teleconference participation can run for these positions. The chairperson is charged with reporting all activities of their council and National Aboriginal Council (NAC) to division executive and written regional reports to NAC.

For Manitoba representation on NAC, the provincial Aboriginal Council members send in the two names to the Provincial President who then forwards the names to the National President.

Local Council within Manitoba

Local 1550 formed an Aboriginal Council made up of a chair and recording secretary and a core working group of 5 members.

Local 500 has an Aboriginal Committee that is part of the Manitoba Aboriginal Council.

Hospital Employees Union (HEU) - British Columbia

Following HEU convention, HEU holds an “equity conference” and individuals are elected to be on the First Nation standing committee. From the standing committee the members take part in a sharing circle and those interested put their name forward for CUPE National Aboriginal Council. Following Aboriginal traditions and the National Aboriginal Terms of Reference decisions are made by consensus and if consensus is not reached elections are done. Also included in selection of the two members from HEU is gender balance. The role of the two members is to report to the standing committee on activities of NAC and report the activities of the standing committee to NAC. The responsibility also includes a written report that must be sent to the HEU Provincial Executive.

British Columbia - Aboriginal Working Group 

In BC the Aboriginal Working Group (AWG) falls under the umbrella of the Committee Against Racism and Discrimination (CARD). During conventions individuals are chosen at an Aboriginal caucus, who will be the Aboriginal Diversity Vice President (Senator) and the other representative to NAC along with the AWG representatives. Following Aboriginal traditions and the National Aboriginal Terms of Reference decisions are made by consensus and if consensus is not reached elections are done. Also included in selection of the two members from British Columbia is gender balance. Once selected the names are forwarded to the Provincial President who in turn submits the names to the National President. The Diversity Vice-President (DVP) Aboriginal member sits automatically on the CUPE British Columbia Executive Board with full voice and vote and chairs the AWG. The AWG follows a terms of reference, and action plan which is approved by CUPE BC Executive Board. 

At the CUPE BC Executive Board level the Aboriginal DVP will bring forward action items from AWG meetings to the CUPE BC Executive Board. Examples of items include supporting the Sisters in Spirit Campaign and the Janet McIvor case and so on. Also as the DVP Aboriginal and AWG Chair they represent CUPE BC in areas of Aboriginal concern, such as being a part of the signing of new Aboriginal certifications, or being part of an information delegation to possible new Aboriginal certifications. 

Alberta - Aboriginal Council 

In Alberta there was a motion on the floor to create an ad-hoc committee of Aboriginal members. At the next convention the ad-hoc committee put a resolution forth for the ad-hoc committee to become a standing committee. The standing committee is now the CUPE Alberta Aboriginal Council and the members to the council are selected through an application process to the Alberta Division. Alberta division decides on the makeup of the members to the council. The Alberta Aboriginal Council then selects their two senators following Aboriginal traditions and the National Aboriginal Terms of Reference, decisions are made by consensus and if consensus is not reached elections are done. Also included in selection of the two members from Alberta is gender balance. Once selected the names are forwarded to the Provincial President who in turn submits the names to the National President. The Senators are charged with writing a report to Alberta Division the activities of their council and NAC, and reporting the regional activities to NAC. 

Saskatchewan - Aboriginal Council 

In Saskatchewan the Aboriginal Council is a standing committee under the umbrella of CUPE Saskatchewan, formulated through constitutional amendments at convention.

The Aboriginal Council holds a stand alone annual conference where selection is made of its representative to the Aboriginal Council. The selections include the provincial Senator and three Provincial Aboriginal Council members. The provincial Senator is automatic selection to the NAC and the provincial executive representative, with full voice and vote. Out of the newly elected council they select another individual based on opposite gender to the Senator and submit the names to the provincial president who in turn sends the names to the National President to fulfill the National Aboriginal Council representatives.

The Aboriginal provincial terms of reference must be approved by CUPE Saskatchewan executive. The terms also follow the National Aboriginal terms of reference with regards to decision making. Decisions are made by consensus and if consensus is not reached elections or motions are done. Also included in selection of the two members from the council to NAC is gender balance. 

At the Executive Board level the Aboriginal Senator will bring forward action items from their Aboriginal Council meetings and National Aboriginal Council meetings to the CUPE Saskatchewan Executive Board, and report the division’s activities to NAC.

Local Councils within Saskatchewan

All the local Aboriginal councils report to their local executives and to the provincial Aboriginal Council. There are differences in the makeup of the councils and differences on how the local member automatically sits on the local executive or if a liaison is appointed by the local executive or if a report is submitted. 

Local 3967 is an active council (committee), promotes CUPE in the community and political awareness in the community. Has term of reference. Has a liaison from the local executive assigned to the council. Is active with the canoe trip. The council had also attended career fairs promoting the union and council.  

Local 5999 has a council (committee) with terms of reference, also has a member on the executive prior to its inception. Have done the Carlyle soup and bannock last year and hosted a National Aboriginal day celebration. The council is active with the canoe trip and golf tournament. 

Local 4777 has an active council (committee), no term of reference, held a tea and bannock on November 16, 2007 to mark Louis Riel day at the hospital. The council also held a National Aboriginal day celebration. The council is involved with the canoe trip and golf tournament.  

Local 4980 was the first local Aboriginal council formed. 

Local 5111 has established an ad hoc committee and are looking at terms of reference.

Ontario - Aboriginal Council 

In Ontario the Aboriginal Council is a standing committee. The council was formed after a motion was made at the executive Board meeting. Ontario Division Executive has an Aboriginal Diversity Vice President on their executive. The Aboriginal VP is elected at the Division Convention every 2 years on even years. The AVP give reports at the board meetings, and bring any motions from council to the table. Applications are sent to President Paul Moist who appoints the two names to the National Aboriginal Council based on the National Aboriginal Terms of Reference which includes selection with regards to gender balance. 

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2008-10-08