Community

Fundraising Dinner for Gaza

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A local group takes initiative to provide relief for Palestinian refugees in the wake of the destruction and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Our union bought 10 tickets for this fundraising dinner in support of the Palestinian people who are living under conditions of starvation in Gaza.

It is on Saturday, Feb. 24th at the Kabab and Thali Restaurant at 466 Merritt Street, St. Catharines. Registration starts at 5:45 pm, dinner at 6:15 pm.

Members, claim your tickets to a delicious food that will warm your heart and belly by emailing info@cupe4207.org!

The Niagara Gaza Relief Foundation is part of the Niagara Palestine Coalition [NPC] @905palestine.

You can see the event posted on the website of the NPC partner, the Niagara Movement for Justice in Palestine Israel, at https://nmjpi.org/ .

Trans Healthcare Day of Action

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February 29th, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Legislative Building, Queen’s Park, Toronto.

The Ontario Federation of Labour calls for workers to show support for a Private Member’s Bill, the Gender Affirming Health Care Advisory Committee Act. The action involves reception and sitting in the Gallery to hear the second reading of the bill.

The CUPE 4207 Pink Triangle Committee encourages our members to attend. Our local will cover the mileage cost of travel for up to three cars, including parking expenses, and up to five bus tickets for our members attending the rally. Please, email the union in advance of your attendance of this event at info@cupe4207.org .

Here is the detailed information: https://ofl.ca/event/february-29th-trans-healthcare-day-of-action/

Black History Month Events at Brock and throughout Niagara

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February 1 – 29th: Recontextualizing Black History Through Art – Month long events City of St. Catharines Community Partners @ various locations in St. Catharines.

Feb 7 & Feb 28: Black History in Niagara at the Brock Library. The Brock community will have the opportunity to engage in a tour of the Brock Library Archives to learn more about Black history in St Catharines and the Greater Niagara Region.

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February 8th, 7 – 9 pm: Reclaiming the Narrative: Black Archives at the Archives of Ontario Talk – Black Student Success Center, Online – Registration Required

February 25th, 11 AM – 7 pm: UMOJA Black History Pop Up Market Black Owned 905 & Falls Barbershop @ Exchange Niagara Falls.

Queer Rights Solidarity March at Brock on October 16th at 5 pm

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October 16th, 2023

  • Voluntary student-wide solidarity walkout at Niagara College Campuses starting at 3 PM EDT.
  • Voluntary student-wide walkout at Brock University starting at 4PM EDT.
  • March Time: Brock University 5-7 PM
  • Location: 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1
  • Parking is available throughout Brock University for those who drive (free after 6 pm)
  • This is a rain or shine event so please dress for the weather.
  • Please bring your pride flags, love over hate signs, water to stay hydrated, and positive energy.
  • We will meet at the statue, in the vicinity of the main entrance to the brock tower, by the bus terminal circled in red below. The March will start at 5:10PM and we will march around Brock University. We will end on Brock property at the intersection of Isacc Brock Blvd and Glenridge Ave to stand in solidarity.

Orange Shirt Day: Local Resources and Events for Indigenous Solidarity

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Every child mattersOrange Shirt Day is observed every year on September 30th to honour residential school survivors and their families.

As public sector workers, we have a responsibility to learn more about Indigenous peoples. There is much to learn, including Indigenous histories and cultures, the challenges and struggles Indigenous communities face, the importance of our Treaty relationships, and the legacy of residential schools and other forms of colonialism.

Further reading:

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society: irsss.ca

Reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: nctr.ca/records/reports/

Local Indigenous Communities

Hadiyaˀdagénhahs First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Centre at Brock brocku.ca/aboriginal-student-services

Niagara Regional Native Centre nrnc.ca

Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre fenfc.org

Local podcasts

Medicine for the Resistance Podcast: medicinefortheresistance.substack.com

One Dish One Mic Podcast: onemic.ca

Niagara Community Events

Sept 9-Oct 4th, Performing Arts Centre: Living Mino Bimaadiziwin: An Indigenous Journey through the Arts is an immersive visual and audio exhibition that showcases artefacts and a variety of artwork by renowned Indigenous artists. The exhibition takes visitors through a journey of Indigenous life pre and during contact in order to better understand today’s contemporary realities.View exhibition times at firstontariopac.ca.

October 7th, 12 pm, Meridian Centre: Ninth Annual Nurturing Our Roots Traditional Powwow held by the Niagara Regional Native Centre. nrnc.ca

 

Call to Action from CUPE Ontario: Join the Fight Against Hate

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We are writing to bring to your attention a deeply concerning development that is set to unfold across our nation, starting on September 20th. The ultra-conservative right has organized nationwide events under the pretext of protecting children, while their true aim is to protest the teaching of 2SLGBTQIA+ content in schools.

We are all acutely aware of the danger posed by these messages of hate, and it is our collective responsibility to respond with unwavering unity. Our mission is clear: to counter these protests and demonstrate unequivocally that there is no place for hate within our society. We shall stand together, resolute in our commitment to combat lies and misinformation while championing love, care, and respect.

We are calling upon every CUPE Ontario member to take action, sign up for a protest near you using the link provided, and actively spread this message within your community and local union. Mass participation in these protests is essential to our cause. You can RSVP for the protests via this link: No Space For Hate | The Ontario Federation of Labour

Together, let’s make our presence felt, countering false rhetoric, exposing lies, and proudly declaring that Canada has no tolerance for hate or discrimination. We stand as a united front, strong and unwavering in our commitment to a society built on love, understanding, and acceptance.

Call to Action: No Mining on Anishinaabe Territory

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Aki Paamaachi Ikoo Ying Ganawaandata! – Protect the land that gives us life!

Five strong First Nations have formed a historic alliance to protect their lands and waters in the face of mounting concerns about encroachment on their territories by mining exploration companies who have been enabled by the Ford Government Land Alliance.

“Prospectors have staked thousands of new claims on these First Nations’ territories since Ford came to power. They are exploiting Ontario’s antiquated “free entry” mining system that allows companies and individuals to stake mining claims on First Nations lands from the comfort of their offices, without gaining the consent of the Indigenous people who live there. Prospectors are not required by Ontario to give any notice to First Nations until after the claims have been registered and are in force. Conversely, Ontario does not inform prospectors which First Nation’s land they are staking until after the claims are purchased.  The claims grant the prospector a wide range of rights under Crown law to explore the area for valuable minerals and to own the treasures that are found under the ground.”

What can you do?

*Be aware of what’s happening to the land around you.  Stay informed and use your voice to say NO more!

Attend the Rally on September 27th, AT 12 pm where five First Nations from Northern Ontario will come to Toronto to lead a march calling on Premier Ford to end unwanted mining activity on their Territories. RSVP here – https://freegrassy.net/land-alliance-march/

Sign the Petition to say No Mining On Anishinaabe Territory

Community Event: International Overdose Awareness Day

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Last Friday in St. Catharines there was a march and rally to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day followed by a series of speakers and tabling session with community partners. Event partners include De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre, Positive Living Niagara, OPIRG Brock, CASON, Quest Community Health Centre, Future Black Female, Brock Student Justice Centre, Rad Snax, Willow Arts, Recovery Day Niagara, Niagara Reproductive Justice, and Niagara Area Moms Ending Stigma (NAMES). What a great event!

At the rally outside St. Catharines City Hall

 

Strong Water Singers performing at the event

At the event there was a list of action items to learn more and support folks who use substances, click here to download it!