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February 8, 2013 The OPSEU Aboriginal Circle is inviting OPSEU members who self-identify as Aboriginal (Inuit, Métis or First Nation status or Non status) to apply for four vacant positions as Regional Representatives more...

January 24, 2013 When the Harper government buried some legislative changes in two large omnibus bills last year little did it know it would give birth to the grassroots Aboriginal movement we’ve come to know as Idle No More. more...

January 10, 2013 The Aboriginal Circle praises the recent landmark decision granting “Indian” status to Métis and non-status Indians.   more...

December 14, 2012 News Release OPSEU is calling on Stephen Harper to meet with Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence, now in the fourth day of a hunger strike to protest the PM’s refusal to meet with her more...

September 17, 2012 The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) held its Annual General Assembly (AGA) July 16 -19, 2012, in Toronto. The photo gallery captures the events throughout the week.  more…

July 12, 2012 OPSEU is one of the proud sponsors to the social-cultural program at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly (AGA) which will take place July 16 to 19, 2012 in Toronto. Come join in.   View program

July 3, 2012 Volunteers from OPSEU, TD Bank, and Tap Resources gathered June 28, 2012 to assemble 10,000 tobacco ties in preparation for the Assembly First Nation (AFN) Annual General Assembly (AGA) Memorial Service and Procession.   more...

June 21, 2012 June 21st was first proclaimed National Aboriginal Day in 1996 as an annual occasion to recognize the diverse cultures and outstanding contributions to Canada of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit.  more.

June 19, 2012 The Assembly of First Nation (AFN) Annual General Assembly (AGA) will be hosted in Toronto, July 16 -19, 2012.  .more...

February 24, 2012  The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) is pleased to announce that it will be one of the sponsors of the social-cultural program at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly (AGA) which will take place July 16 to 19, 2012 in Toronto  more...

February 1, 2012 The First Nation community of Attawapiskat is in dire need of housing supplies to help repair their existing homes. There is room on the truck going to Attawapiskat and we need your help to fill it up with useful items  more...  

January 26, 2012 OPSEU is proud to be a part of Design Points North, a new organization made up of a diverse group of individuals, representing business, labour and the Chiefs of Ontario, with a mandate to to improve conditions in Attawapiskat through sustainable and community-oriented projects and initiatives.  more...  

January 23, 2012 The Chiefs of Ontario are calling for a day of action. This rally will provide a venue for First Nations and their supporters to send a clear message to the government and all Canadians that Treaty rights are alive and well.
When: January 24, 2012
Where: Begins Victoria Island, Ottawa, Ontario
Times: The day begins with a Sunrise ceremony on Victoria Island, an historical sacred site for Canada’s First Nations. more...

June 20 2011 June 21 is a day for us to learn more about the diverse Aboriginal cultures and about the issues that they face as Canada’s First Peoples. It is also an opportunity for OPSEU to express solidarity with Aboriginal peoples.   more...

March 30, 2011 Elder Josephine Mandamin will be present at the OPSEU Convention on April 6th and 7th as a guest of the Aboriginal Circle to raise awareness that water is a sacred gift of the Creator and the source of all life on Mother Earth.  more...

OPSEU aboriginal activist Tim Brown passes away at age 61

April 27, 2010 President Smokey Thomas remembers Tim Brown as one of OPSEU’s “inspirational leaders” more

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

JUNE 21ST - A Celebration of Aboriginal heritage

June 19, 2010  On June 13, 1996, the Governor General of Canada proclaimed June 21st to be National Aboriginal Day, offering Aboriginal peoples an excellent opportunity to share their rich, diverse cultures with family members, neighbours, friends and visitors. It's a day to honour the history and culture of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis who were here long before the founding of Canada. more...

Call to action: Stop federal  cuts to First Nations Technical Institute

March 4, 2008 Federal funding cuts are putting many programs at the First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) in jeopardy. more….

President Thomas meets with Premier over a ceremonial ‘talking stick’

February 6, 2008 OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas, and Tim Brown, chair of OPSEU’s Aboriginal Circle, met with Premier Dalton McGuinty and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant to welcome the opening of the new Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. The meeting took place Feb. 5 at Queen’s Park.

OPSEU welcomed the opening of this, the first such ministry in Ontario’s history. The Premier and Thomas conversed over a ‘talking stick,’ a six-foot carved totem used by native councils to encourage dialogue. The stick was provided by the Curve Lake First Nation.

The talking stick has been used at many First Nation council meetings, passed between council members who wished to speak without interruption.