PSAC Aboriginal Peoples Conference

The Public Service Alliance of Canada held its first Aboriginal Peoples’ Conference in Winnipegfrom September 19 – 21, 2008representing a historic moment for the union of 160,000 members. Workers united under the theme of “MAAWANGITEENG: Where the Journey Begins!”


PSAC North Caucus
Back Row (left to right): Alex Stuit (Staff), David Toolooktook, Hannah Uniuqsaraq, Jean-François Des Lauriers (REVP), July (Interpreter), Sandra Lockhart, Danielle Antoine, Kim Rondeau, Sean Glavine (Staff)  Middle Row (left to right): Rosa Kayotuk, Joseph Aggark, Linda Moen, Jo-Anne Smith, Grace Poirier, Roy Courtoreille  Front Row (left to right): Elijah Kaernerk, Jaqueline Otuk, Cecilia Beaulieu  Kneeling in front (left to right): Sue Christianson, Karen Wright-Fraser

PSAC North NAIM Circle Elections
Back Row (left to right) David Toolooktook - 2nd Alternate, Sandra Lockhart - 1st Altnerate, Karen Wright-Fraser - NAIM Circle Representative for the North, Jean-François Des Lauriers - REVP  Front Row (left to right) Joseph Aggark - NAIM Circle Reresentative for the North, Elijah Kaernerk - 1st Alternate, Jaqueline Otuk - 2nd Alternate

The National Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis Network (NAIM)

What is the PSAC NAIM Network?

The creation of NAIM Network is a major step forward in PSAC’s long history of solidarity with its Aboriginal members in advancing their rights in the workplace and society.

The NAIM Network aims to provide a unified voice for the diverse community of PSAC’s Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis members, so that together, they can increase their involvement at all levels in our Union, empower each other, and advance their rights within and beyond our Union.

The Network has the following objectives:

• To reach out to PSAC’s Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis members.
• To create accessible ways and tools to communicate with our members and promote the Network.
• To explore and develop terminology that is inclusive and respectful of all members in the Network.
• To educate our members, our Union and the broader society on the situation and rights of Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis peoples.
• To make gains and fight racism and discrimination in our workplaces, our Union and society.
• To mobilize our members to act and use the political processes at all levels around Union, community and worplace issues.
• To create opportunities for representation of Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis members in various structures of our Union, and to be the vehicle to advance Union resolutions through the political process.

How was the NAIM Network created?

A resolution was adopted at the 2003 PSAC Convention that mandated our Union to create the NAIM Network.

What is the structure of the NAIM Network?

The Network is made up of Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis members of the PSAC and has a central “National Circle” of members who meet regularly to discuss and identify issues the Union needs to take on. The members of the Network are linked to the National Circle, which in turn is connected to the broader Union. The National Circle is made up of Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis members selected from each PSAC region, the two elected Aboriginal representatives on the PSAC Equal Opportunities Committee and the two Alliance Executive Committee Officers responsible for the NAIM Network.