September 30 – National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

Check out our new resource pageTruth & Reconciliation Resources – under Education & Learning Resources

September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. All CUPE 23 members are encouraged to honour it through personal reflection, taking opportunities to listen and support Indigenous folks in your community, purchasing and wearing orange from Indigenous owned businesses and donating where you can. ​We also encourage conversations with colleagues, family and friends as learning is best done together.

Government of Canada – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Black Shirt Day – Jan. 15

The CUPE 23 Executive Board has voted to support the call for Jan. 15 to be declared Black Shirt Day in BC schools in recognition of the struggle for civil rights fought by Black and racialized Canadians. We encourage members to wear a black shirt on Jan. 15 in support.

In British Columbia, thousands of students wear pink shirts in support of anti-bullying. Orange Shirt Day has also been introduced across Canadian schools, where students wear orange shirts in solidarity with Indigenous victims of the residential school system.

ARC Vancouver is petitioning for Black Shirt Day to be introduced in BC, in recognition of the struggle for civil rights fought by Black and racialized Canadians. We propose that Black Shirt Day be established on January 15th, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., the great civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

We believe this will be an important step in raising greater awareness of the ongoing struggle for civil and human rights faced by Black and racialized Canadians, and help to foster solidarity against all forms of racism and hate.

We hereby petition the British Columbia Ministry of Education to designate Friday, January 15th, 2021, as Black Shirt Day in recognition of the struggle for civil rights of Black and racialized Canadians.

We are aiming to have 10,000 signatures on the petition. If spreading the word of our petition on social media, please use #BlackShirtDay. Thank you for your support.

CUPE 23 is proud to recognize February as Black History month

CUPE 23 is proud to recognize February as Black History month. CUPE 23 would like to emphasize that the contributions of Black Canadians have been an integral part of both British Columbian and Canadian history, which we encourage everyone to celebrate year-round.

Black History within Canada is ever evolving; we at CUPE 23 strive to be a positive part of that evolution by promoting a fair, safe, and equal workplace where members are free from systemic barriers, harassment, and discrimination. We encourage our members to promote these principles and to stand up to Anti-black racism not just this month, but everyday. If you’re interested in learning more about BC’s black history please visit BC Black History Awareness Society.

Harry Jerome, Fastest man on earth – Order of Canada – Athlete of the Century
Rosemary Brown – Order of Canada – Politician, Feminist, Writer, Educator, Lecturer and Mother

History of Resistance in Burnaby

Burnaby Neighbourhood History
Free Speakers Series and Walking Tours

Explore a range of local history, heritage, and cultural topics. Community members are invited to bring their own stories, memories and questions to share. Presented in partnership by the Burnaby Village Museum and the Burnaby Public Library. Presentations are free but registration is required. Call the library at 604-436-5400 to reserve your place or use the links below to register online.

Songs of Resistance

October 16, 7-8:30pm
Burnaby Village Museum | 6501 Deer Lake Avenue
Register » https://www.bpl.bc.ca/events/burnaby-neighbourhood-series-songs-of-resistance

Join Solidarity Notes Labour Choir and City of Burnaby Heritage Planner Lisa Codd for an evening of song and short presentations about some of the protests and strikes that are part of Burnaby’s history. Singing along is encouraged! In partnership with the City of Burnaby Community Heritage Commission.