PSAC Ontario Building Solidarity with Indigenous Communities (IN PERSON – Sept 18 to 20, 2026)

We are pleased to announce PSAC Ontario’s Building Solidarity with Indigenous Communities course is open for registration. This three-day course is being held from 9:00AM on Sept 18, 2026, to 5:00PM on Sept 20, 2026, at the Casino Rama (5899 Rama Road, Rama, Ontario, L3V 6H6).

Building Solidarity with Indigenous Communities is open to all PSAC Members and it is an in-residence course.  

Why Attend Building Solidarity with Indigenous Communities?

This course will provide education to members of the PSAC on the history and struggles of Metis, Inuit and First Nations’ people and peoples across Turtle Island.

• We will discuss the history and legacy of Residential Schools, Indian Hospitals, the Indian Act, colonialism, human rights, anti-racism, and oppression. Participants will learn about and hear first-hand accounts of Indigenous people in the Indian Residential School system and the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to ensure that history is not forgotten, and that Survivors are remembered and respected.

• We will examine the 94 Calls to Action and the 10 Principles of Reconciliation and discuss how they can apply to the work we do in the union.

• Working together, members will learn about policies like the Doctrine of Discovery, the Indian Act and the Indian Trust Fund and the detrimental effects they have had on FNMI peoples and their communities for centuries.

• One main theme of the course will be the violence of the Indian Act, a race based piece of legislation which for 150 years has shaped every aspect of Indigenous peoples’ lives. We will discuss all the harmful consequences of the Act, which is still in effect today.

• Another main theme of the course is showing solidarity with Indigenous communities; how we can do that as a union and as individuals. Using little known but deeply important acts of solidarity, we can help members find creative and modern ways to help advance the issues of justice and human rights for FNMI members, their families, and their communities.

• When we talk about Reconciliation, what we mean is reconciliACTION. And before any reconciliation there must be truth. When we learn the truth, it makes it abundantly easier for the union to walk the path of reconciliation. This course is a first step on that path.

Participant Selection

This course was designed specifically for non-Indigenous members of the union; however, it is likely that a number of Indigenous members will register to participate. All are welcome in this course.

There are 20 available spots. Allocation will ensure diversity, equity and regional/geographic representation.

Logistics

The course will commence on Friday, Sept 18, 2026, from 9:00am. Sunday, September 20, 2026, will be the last full day.

Event Schedule

Travel

All participants at the event will be funded according to the PSAC Travel Policy: http://psacunion.ca/travel-policy

Participants are expected to travel by the most direct and economical means possible.  Approval for travel and funding will be made on a case-by-case basis, dependent upon the participant’s location and in accordance with the PSAC Travel Policy.

Vehicles and Mileage (POMV)

Participants who are approved to travel via personal vehicle will be reimbursed according to the PSAC Travel Policy up to the most economic means of travel at the current rates at the time of the event. Travel by personal vehicle requires prior approval. Approval will be granted on a case-by-case basis. 

The PSAC will not pay for parking tickets, speeding tickets, 407 or toll charges, transponder fees or any damage to a rental vehicle not covered by the insurance fees.

In the case of pre-approved vehicle rentals, the PSAC will pay for the cost of the rental vehicle, the gas and insurance fees.

Loss of Salary (LOS)

Loss of salary will be compensated for any hours that a participant was regularly scheduled to work during the course period, including travel days. Participants living within the GTHA will be expected to travel in on the evening of Thursday, September 17, 2026, and stay for the entirety of the event. Additional loss of salary for participants travelling greater distances will require prior approval.

Accommodation

Participants will stay at the Casino Rama (5899 Rama Road, Rama, Ontario, L3V 6H6).  All guestrooms will be arranged by the PSAC staff administering the event. 

Note: There may be a restriction on bringing in any outside food or drink into the meeting room.

Family Care

Family Care costs will be reimbursed per the PSAC Family Care Policy: 

http://psacunion.ca/family-care-policy. 

On-Site Family Care will be provided upon request.  If you require on-site care, please be sure to specify this on your registration form.   

Harassment, Scent and Smoke Free Environment

In accordance with PSAC policy, the course is a smoke-free, harassment-free, and scent-free environment. 

Registrations will close at noon on August 26th, 2026 (12:00PM EST)

Registration

Please complete the online registration form below.

Questions About Registering? 

Please contact Administrative Assistant Dorothy Sackanay

E: sackand@psac-afpc.com  P: 807-333-0839

PSAC Ontario Building Solidarity with Indigenous Communities Sept 2026 (ID #20841)

We are pleased to announce the scheduling of the 2026 PSAC Ontario Building Solidarity with Indigenous Communities course and to extend this invitation to register. The event is being held from 9:00AM on Sept 18, 2026, to 5:00PM on Sept 20, 2026, at the Casino Rama (5899 Rama Road, Rama, Ontario, L3V 6H6).

PSAC Membership ID *

If unknown, please use 123456

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Why are you interested in taking this course? *

How will you use the information/knowledge from this course? *

Please list some of your current or past union involvement and/or community work: *

Travel

Members preferred travel plan: *

Approved Travel Dates: Thursday, Sept 17/26, and return home begins Friday, Sept 20/26. Members will be contacted in a separate email for the travel plan.

I require a union leave letter *

• Yes
• No

If your employer requires a leave letter, please provide the date and hours of work. For example, Monday to Friday – 8am to 4pm. To support the leave letters, a copy of your calendar or shift schedule may be requested.

If you responded "Yes", please provide your work schedule

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

• I require specific accommodation for my disability in my hotel room

The PSAC has reserved a block of rooms at the Casino Rama for participants in travel status. This hotel is unionized and accessible.

"Yes", plan: course?

Please provide details of your hotel room accommodation request:

Allergy Type

• Air Borne
• Ingested
• Environmental

Please provide details of your allergy:

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

• I have dietary requirements.

Please provide details of your dietary requirement:

ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABILITIES

• I am a member with a disability and require accommodation

The PSAC Accommodation Policy strives to ensure that PSAC events are barrier-free for members with disabilities

Please provide your accommodation requirement to attend the event:

Paperless Event – Special Requirements *

• I will be bringing a laptop or tablet
• I will require a laptop or tablet
• I will require paper copies of materials

PSAC EQUITY GROUP SELF-IDENTIFICATION

• Person with a Disability
• Indigenous Person (First Nations, Métis, Inuit)
• Woman
• Racialized Person
• 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirited, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual)
• Young Worker (35 years of age and under)
• Not applicable

The Public Service Alliance of Canada unequivocally supports the principles of human rights as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act. PSAC recognizes that there are members who have been and continue to be victimized by discrimination. PSAC pledges to work toward the achievement of equality for all its members and to eliminate discrimination and increase the participation of disadvantaged groups in the workplace and in society.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

Please indicate a name and telephone number for someone we should contact in case an emergency arises while you are participating at the Gathering.

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Personal email *

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