Alberta Federation of Labour pledges support for Indigenous resistance

The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) issued a statement in late June in support of Indigenous nations’ rights to civil disobedience - an example that should be followed by labour bodies across so-called “Canada.” Their statement is directed towards the Alberta provincial government’s separation referendum and attacks on Indigenous sovereignty. However, other provinces have also encouraged anti-indigenous racism recently and organized labour should stand in solidarity with them.

The statement “expresses solidarity with the First Nations of Alberta in their fight to defend their treaties and oppose separatism.” The reasons for this support from the AFL are given as the leadership of Indigenous Nations in opposing Alberta separatism the racist attacks on Indigenous people from the Smith government and the separatist movement and the resulting upswing of anti-Indigenous racism in the province.
“the unions of the Alberta Federation of Labour share First Nations’ opposition to separatism and agree with their assessment that acts of non-violent civil disobedience may be necessary to address the authoritarian drift of the Smith government, especially in the context of the planned referendum on separation”
and “that non-violent civil disobedience is a vital democratic tool because it forces societies to confront systematic injustice when traditional political tactics – like petitions, lobbying and rallies – fail”

Alberta union activists should bring this motion to their local to endorse, start preparing fellow workers for the fight ahead, and interpret the statements supporting the “fight to defend their treaties,” in the broadest possible way, not just in response to the separation referendum.

Labour soldarity needed from every province
Across so-called “Canada” Indigenous Sovereignty is under attack by provincial and federal governments who are racing to complete planet destroying infrastructure projects. From the Ring of Fire in Ontario to oil and gas pipelines in BC, provincial governments are relying on anti-Indigenous racism to try to win public opinion against Indigenous rights to their land.

BC’s Premier Eby has pledged to gut the provincial legislation that enforces the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and appealed court decisions that direct the province to negotiate with Indigenous Nations. In defending his refusal to negotiate he said, “These are profound issues that are hard to consider in the absence of the real people … the homeowners, the business owners, who will be affected by this decision.” In response to the Premier's plan to suspend the UNDRIP legislation, the First Nations Leadership Council, vowed to “... pursue every available avenue, legal, political and through direct action to defend First Nations’ rights.”

Last year in Ontario, Premier Ford characterized Indigenous land claims as coming “hat in hand” and saying “give me money.” Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of Nishnawbe Aski Nation - representing 49 First Nations in northern Ontario – described the remarks as, “offensive, rooted in racism and colonial violence.” In response to Federal and Ontario legislation to fast track resource projects, Idle No More – Ontario organizer Tori Cress, who is an Anishinaabe Kwe (woman) from the G'Chimnissing (Beausoleil) First Nation called, “on all citizens on our shared territories to actively resist the systems that continue to harm Indigenous communities, our water, our land, and our future generations, and to root yourself in solidarity with Indigenous communities and Nations. Land acknowledgments aren't enough.”

An injury to one is an injury to all
Safety and environmental regulations are already being crushed by their fast-track legislation, union rights to strike and organize will be next. Solidarity with Indigenous nations as they fight for sovereignty, in whatever way they define it, is crucial in the fight against our provincial and federal governments. Provincial labour federations and the Canadian Labour Congress should immediately follow the example of the AFL to pledge support for Indigenous defense of their lands and start building the networks to follow through on it.