UFCW Canada and Ambearrister visit Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School

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Toronto – August 22, 2019 – UFCW Canada recently hosted a Reconciliation Ambearrister at a special event at the Kapapamahchakwew - Wandering Spirit School in Toronto. During the event, union members, children, and school representatives learned about the many ways that we can promote the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Attendees also took in a story, called Fishing for Knowledge, Catching Dreams, in which main character Spirit Bear learns about the troubling history of Residential Schools in Canada and the need for “safe and comfy” schools for all First Nations children today.

As well, participants received information on the Ambearrister program and children told the visiting Ambearrister of their dreams to become lawyers, doctors, and performing artists. Union members, meanwhile, shared their personal experiences of being Indigenous and the impact of growing up in schools that didn’t acknowledge their Indigenous identity.

In addition, teachers discussed the value of providing culturally appropriate education, and everyone shared in a strawberry feast, during which they received a teaching on the significance of the strawberry as a food and a medicine.

“Thank you, Caring Society, for your commitment to First Nations children and culturally appropriate education for all Indigenous children across Canada,” said UFCW Canada National President Paul Meinema. “In partnership and friendship, we extend our union solidarity and honour your good work, including the Reconciliation Ambearristers program.”

As Canada’s leading union, UFCW is committed to achieving Indigenous justice and advancing Indigenous rights in Canada. To learn more about our work in this area here, and to find out how you can advance Reconciliation in your workplace and community, visit UFCW Canada’s Reconciliation webpage.