The United Indigenous Council (UIC) was founded in 2021 as an Indigenous-led body within the Amalgamated Transit Union – Local 113. Our mandate is rooted in advancing Indigenous visibility, fostering cultural safety, and ensuring Indigenous voices are not only heard, but meaningfully integrated into the spaces where decisions are made.

INTERNAL ADVOCACY

Since our formation, the UIC has collaborated with the TTC’s Racial Equity Department, along with community partners and Indigenous organizations, to plan and support events that honour Indigenous cultures and histories while pushing for deeper structural change. Our efforts are guided by the teachings of our ancestors and the lived experiences of Indigenous workers across the system.

This year, the UIC has taken a leading role in coordinating Indigenous Peoples Month programming, beginning with the Sunrise Ceremony held on June 2nd at Arrow Road. The ceremony, led by Elder Paul, was a spiritual and symbolic way to welcome the month, and a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion and cultural safety in the workplace. As Indigenous people, we gather in circle — where all voices matter and where everyone has a place. We are working to bring this spirit into the heart of the TTC, not just for ceremony, but in everyday practice.

OUTREACH

In addition to our internal advocacy, the UIC has supported and participated in external community events such as the May 5th Red Dress Day ceremony at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT). That same day, we also hosted an outreach table at Spadina Station to raise awareness and create visibility for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2S+ people. Engaging directly with commuters allowed us to bring the message into public transit spaces, sparking meaningful conversations and sharing resources with riders and staff alike.

Our council is also supporting Indigenous youth leadership through continued partnerships with ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency and Toronto Council Fire. We’ve been involved in design campaign workshops, youth council planning sessions, and mentorship opportunities with Indigenous youth. We believe that creating intergenerational spaces for learning, empowerment, and cultural connection is essential to the future of Indigenous visibility and healing in urban transit spaces.

On June 20th, the UIC took part in the Summer Solstice celebration hosted by Council Fire at the Aga Khan Museum.

In addition to participating in this external event, we will also be hosting our own sunrise ceremony at a TTC bus division. This internal ceremony continues our efforts to ground Indigenous Peoples Month in sacred practices, while bringing cultural presence directly into TTC spaces. By holding ceremony on site, we reaffirm that cultural safety must be lived out where we work, not just acknowledged from a distance.

PATH AHEAD

While we are proud of the progress made so far, we also recognize that there is still much work to be done in order to effect deeper structural changes. True inclusion demands more than participation. It requires policy changes that reflect the Calls to Action and Calls to Justice. We continue to advocate for education, systemic accountability, and safety.

UNITED INDIGENOUS COUNCIL MEMBERS (2025)

Brent Pelletier, Mike Chow, Seldon Smith, Lyndon Akiwenzie, Dawn Stiles, Tamara Goulding-Pereira (Recording-Secretary) and Mike Judd (Executive Board Representative)