b'LABOUR RELATIONSIndigenous advocate recognized theFrom the start, we wanted ANU to be power that comes from giving people inan inclusive union driven by Indigenous any community a united voice, and thisvalues. That means we welcome people planted the seed. From the start, the ideafrom all cultures, Indigenous or not, was to provide a group for IndigenousFrench says. Ive had people say it should people to be invited to participate in thebe just for Indigenous people, but I dont Canadian economy in a meaningful way,believe segregation is one of our values. instead of working under a structure thatFor true reconciliation to happen, we must NAME CHANGE government created, French explains.start working together.Upon its launch, ANU initially stood for AllMotivated by a growing change in theANUs focus on inclusion also means Nations Union; however, after receivingnational conversation about reconciliation,members from any sector can join, and it feedback from potential members, theFrench began consulting with Indigenousis not limited to construction. Moreover, executive team decided a name changeleaders, legal experts and industry repre- while it is currently collaborating with was in order. They felt they needed asentatives to shape the foundation of aemployers, French says ANU aims to new name that would gain more traction,labour union that would complementextend the invitation to individual member-while simultaneously keeping the ANUIndigenous leaders efforts and giveships. Were absolutely open to anyone, acronym intact.their communities a united voice thatshe says. Its just a matter of reaching out Hence, All Nations United was born. could respond to major projects on theirto us and getting started. Whenever I engaged with Indigenousown terms. The idea was never aboutRight now, ANU is certified to operate in leadership and said the word union,creating a traditionally adversarial relation- British Columbia and Alberta, with the I would lose them, explains ANUship between a union and employer, shegoal of eventually winning approval to president Mary French. People got theirexplains. For ANU, the idea is to ensurebe a national fixture from coast to coast backs up and I would spend the nextboth sides want to work together, afterto coast. In the meantime, French and 15 minutes talking about how I wasnt awhich we come in to look at how we canher team are busy creating a database unionist traditionally, and how the ideaprovide a pension, medical and dentalof potential companies to work with came about organically with the intent tobenefits, and other supports. once they get the green light to extend give Indigenous people their own lanetheir footprint. and [the opportunity to] be successful,It is about creating that middle ground French recalls.that is fundamental to the success of usOPENING DOORSbeing part of the economy in a meaningfulWith its foundation and guiding principles Thats when we realized that if ourway, French adds. set, ANU officially launched on March 31, goal is to unite Indigenous peoplewith French as its president. Her founding across Canada, why not change it toFor French, it was important that ANUteam includes Vawn Jeddry, ANUs first vice All Nations United? And sure enough,serve people of all cultures and ethnicpresident and a 25-plus-year veteran of everyone agreed. or religious backgrounds. To that end,the industrial construction industry. Jeddry the ANU constitution was drafted with ahas several years experience as an exec-clear, inclusive mission in mind. It aims toutive with a global engineering firm and These were questions and concerns thatactively advance the cause of true recon- one of Canadas largest multi-disciplined French, a member of the Coast Salishciliation by improving the engagement ofindustrial contractors.community, could not shakeespeciallyemployees from all nations, Indigenous after spending years serving communi- and non-Indigenous, in the economy asWorking alongside Jeddry is Dave Coles, ties as an RCMP officer, outreach worker,real partners in the goals and objectivesANUs second vice president, who brings educator and Indigenous advocate.of this Union. his skills and experience as the former A majority of my adult life has been dedi-cated to trying to help peoplein partic-ular, Indigenous people, my people, says French. What I learned along the way isRight now, ANU is certified to operate they havent had the same opportunities to participate in the benefits of a union,in British Columbia and Alberta, such as medical benefits or pensions. I knew that if I wanted to make a change and impact Indigenous people in a posi- with the goal of eventually winning tive way, it had to be on a large scale. approval to be a national fixture from ENTER ANUFrench admits she is the last person shecoast to coast to coastever would have expected to form a labour union. Nevertheless, the passionate Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT111'