EDMONTON – The Building Trades of Alberta is encouraging members and all Albertans to learn more about our nation’s Indian Residential Schools, and to take a pledge of action toward respect and understanding, as we celebrate Canada Day in the shadow of close to 1,000 bodies, mostly children, found in mass and unmarked graves near residential schools on the Cowessess and Tk’emlups te Secwepemec First Nations reserves.

“At BTA’s recent virtual convention, we passed a resolution to further Indigenous engagement, this includes learning more about Indigenous culture, community and history – including the horrific role Canada played in the abuse and murder of Indigenous peoples at residential schools across the country,” said Building Trades of Alberta Executive Director, Terry Parker.

BTA has partnered with Straight Talk Advisory and Training (STAAT), a majority owned and operated First Nations business, to circulate a free 40-minute video to help folks learn more. It is engaging, historically accurate and an excellent starting point for all Canadians to understand more about this 165-years-long tragedy.

“The point of sharing this video is not to place blame nor shame on people. Rather, the purpose is to help non-Indigenous people understand the realities that have been concealed from all of us for over 100 years,” said Karen Batycki, Co-Founder of STAAT and member of Peepekisis Cree Nation.

To register your personal pledge of action and gain access to the video on any device, go to www.acert.fyi – there you can create your personal and secure account and take the next step in your journey toward reconciliation.

The Building Trades of Alberta remains committed to truth and reconciliation and recognizes we operate on traditional Treaty 6, 7 and 8 land.

30

For more information:

Tyler Bedford, BTA Dir. Communications and Relations: tbedford@bta.ca