Thursday, June 19, 2025

Celebrating Strength, Heritage, and Opportunity on National Indigenous Peoples Day

Each year on June 21—coinciding with the summer solstice—Canada celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to honour the diverse cultures, achievements, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

At CLAC, we are proud to stand with Indigenous workers, amplifying their voices and partnering to build stronger, more inclusive workplaces. We recently sat down with a long-time CLAC member, Troy Payne—an experienced heavy equipment operator and proud Métis-Cree tradesperson—to reflect on what this day means to him and what he wants fellow workers and employers to know.

Honouring the Day, Honouring Identity

For Troy, National Indigenous Peoples Day is more than a cultural celebration—it’s a day of spiritual and social significance.

“It’s a day of reconciliation and a focus on Indigenous cultures—for all Canadians. The 21st is the summer solstice, a time of spiritual meaning and celebration.”

Despite often working on June 21, he takes time to call family, and when possible, attends local ceremonies, markets, or community events. These gatherings—featuring crafts, t-shirts, food, speakers, and dancers—are expressions of pride and tradition.

He speaks with deep respect for his heritage:

“I’m Métis, French-Indigenous. I learned to hunt, fish, trap, process furs, and understand the land. My grandparents had a fishing lodge. That shaped who I am.”

Walking the Worksite as a Mentor

With over 20 years in the construction industry, this operator has seen the culture shift—and has been part of that change.

“It wasn’t easy. It used to be a white boys’ club. But I found that once you show up on time and work hard, you earn respect. I’ve always tried to be a mentor to younger Indigenous workers—helping them see there’s a place for them here.”

His advice to young workers? Show up, learn, and take pride.

“There’s so much opportunity. Don’t believe that construction is just for people who can’t do anything else. You can be an operator, engineer, supervisor—there are even better opportunities now with specific programs for Indigenous people.”

Indigenous Values at Work

One of the strongest cultural influences Troy brings to the workplace is respect—for people, animals, and the environment.

“We’re taught to protect the land. So when there’s a spill, or something goes wrong, I make sure the proper protocols are followed. It’s about respecting nature.”

He also highlighted the ongoing systemic challenges: promised jobs that fall through, especially on large projects. But progress is being made—with support from organizations like CLAC.

“CLAC’s been great. I’ve never been out of work in 20 years. The benefits are strong. They’re working to make sure Indigenous youth aren’t just promised jobs—they’re actually hired. That’s huge.”

Reconciliation in Action

To Troy, reconciliation means genuine recognition and education—not assumptions.

“A lot of people still think First Nations get everything for free—that’s just ignorance. Reconciliation means taking time to understand who we are and moving forward, together.”

It’s not about politics, he says—it’s about mutual respect.

“We’re not all struggling. There are lots of strong examples out there. Indigenous people are getting educated, entering politics, and helping their communities.”

A Message for the Future

Troy leaves us with a message of hope and strength: “If you’re working right now, you should be proud. A lot of Indigenous people are staying out of trouble, doing the right thing. There’s nothing wrong with that. Be proud of what you’re doing.”

Join Us in Building Better Workplaces

At CLAC, we believe in the dignity of work for all people. We’re proud to support Indigenous members and their communities—not just on June 21, but every day.

If you'd like to partner with CLAC and build better workplaces together, please visit our website to learn more.

Celebrating Strength, Heritage, and Opportunity on National Indigenous Peoples Day

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