Image Description: A photo collage with the title “Commemorative Days in May” features three pictures of people holding protest signs at different rallies. The first image shows a person holding a protest sign that says “May Day Labor Power” at a May Day rally in Los Angeles. The second image shows a group of people holding banners that say “Safe Supply Saves Lives” and “No More ODs” at rally for Safe Supply in Vancouver. The third image shows a woman holding a sign that says “Leave Our Women & Girls Alone!” at a rally for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-spirit people in Saskatoon. Below the three images there is a quote from Atul Gawande’s article, “Why Americans are Dying From Despair.” The quote reads, “The unfairness of our economy can be measured not only in dollars but in deaths.
Dear members,
May is a month of important commemorations.
International Workers’ Day (aka May Day) takes place every year on May 1. We aren’t aware of any Saskatoon events this year, but the Regina & District Labour Council hosted a week of May Day events. A few days earlier on the National Day of Mourning, gatherings were held in remembrance of the 31 Saskatchewan workers who died on the job in 2021. In Alberta, 178 people died from work-related injuries and illnesses last year.
Bereaved Mother’s Day also fell on May 1 this year. Moms Stop The Harm recognized the day with Poppy Seeds for a Safe Supply NOW campaign, urging the federal government to respond to the public health crisis of overdoses by creating a National Safe Supply Strategy. Read up on the fight for safe supply in the latest issue of briarpatch or learn about the decriminalization talks that have recently started here in Saskatoon by listening to this CBC Radio interview with Dr. Barb Fornssler from USask.
May 5 was Red Dress Day in honour and bring awareness to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-spirit people. The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations hosted a day of activities at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, held a press conference at the Saskatchewan Legislature, and succeeded in having their Declaration to Honour Indigenous Women and Girls adopted by the Legislative Assembly.
Each of these days raise awareness of different struggles stemming from the same root cause – a political and economic system that not only tolerates but generates the exploitation workers, the wide spread public health crisis of addiction and overdose, and the disappearance and murder of Indigenous women, girls, and two-sprit people.
We are grateful for the grassroots groups, like Iskwewuk E-wichiwitochik and Moms Stop the Harm, that lead the way on these issues. Scroll on for more important events and campaigns happening locally and online as part of the growing movements for social, environmental, and economic justice.
Can you help grow the movement for social, environmental, and economic justice in Saskatoon?
Contribute time – Contact any one of the groups mentioned above to offer support, attend any of the events below, or join The Stand as an individual member.
Contribute funds – Consider supporting financially with a one time donation or as a sustainer donor.
Contribute connections and knowledge – If you’re already part of a grassroots group, reach out and let us know about your work or join The Stand as a member group.
May Events & Campaigns
Saskatoon, Treaty Six Territory
Mapping Accessibility Downtown
Sunday, May 8, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
218 20th St W
MORE INFORMATION
Inner Strength & Resiliency Through Traumatic Loss
Wednesday, May 11, 3:00 pm
REGISTER HERE
SUM Theatre in the Park wâhkôhtowin
May 6 – June 3
Various Locations in Saskatoon
MORE INFORMATION
Strikes won during the pandemic | Les grèves remportées durant la pandémie
Tuesday, May 17, 7:00 pm EDT
REGISTER HERE
Who Will Feed Us
Podcast Launch
Sunday, May 15
LISTEN HERE
Health Equity Series: Harm Reduction Community Driven Initiatives
Friday, May 20, 12:30 pm
REGISTER HERE
Ghana Community Library Project Launch
Saturday, May 26
REGISTER HERE
LEARN MORE
Depave Paradise with Saskatchewan Environmental Society
Saturday, May 28th – Sunday, June 5th
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VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP FORM
White Benevolence Book Launch
Thursday, June 2, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Station 20 West
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Saskatoon Abortion Support Network Fundraiser
May 6 – May 20
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SURJ Reading Group
Wednesday, May 18, 7pm
EMAIL SURJYXE@GMAIL.COM TO SIGN UP
REGISTER HERE
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Find even more events on The Stand’s Community Calendar in Saskatoon/Treaty 6 Territory!