In July, the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) hosted the historic International First
Nations Maritime Workers Conference in Sydney, Australia. The event brought together over 100 Indigenous unionists and allies from Chile, Hawai‘i, Canada, the U.S mainland., New Zealand, and across Australia.

Delegates gathered to share lived experiences of colonization, economic exclusion, workplace racism, and political resistance—reinforcing
global solidarity in the fight for Indigenous rights and worker justice.

Former South Sydney Rabbitohs and champion boxer MUA Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin opened the conference by acknowledging their deep inspiration from the ILWU’s 39th Convention, themed “Honour the Past, Invest in Our Future,” held in Vancouver, B.C., June 17–21, 2024.

Honouring the union–Indigenous alliance

A keynote led by Professor Padraig Gibson and Thomas Mayo highlighted the long-standing alliance between maritime unions and Indigenous peoples. Stories of resistance and solidarity were brought to life and will be developed into a graphic education tool for union members.
Key speakers included:

• Tony McAvoy, Australia’s first Indigenous Senior Counsel, who gave an overview of native title and land rights legislation.

• Joe Williams, a former South Sydney Rabbitohs and champion
boxer, who spoke on mental health advocacy, intergenerational trauma, and the need for early intervention.

Delegates also participated in a cultural tour hosted by the La Perouse Aboriginal community, and enjoyed powerful Indigenous performances
that reinforced international Indigenous unity, including an inspiring
performance from ILWU International Vice President (Hawai’i) Brandon
Wolff and ILWU Hawai’i delegation members Matthew Coleman, Brenson Wailehua, and Nepo Toafiaoalii Leutu Jr (Sunny).|

A highlight was the presence of Aunty Rhonda Dixon, daughter of the legendary MUA wharfie and land rights activist Chicka Dixon. Her words, alongside Elder Kevin Tory, grounded the gathering in a rich cultural and political legacy.

Women in the Workplace: Breaking Barriers

The MUA National Women’s Committee, reported by Angie Moore, proudly joined the conference and participated in a dynamic Day 2 session titled “Women in the
Workplace – Breaking Barriers.”

Led by Vicky Morta, the MUA’s first woman Indigenous bosun, the panel included:

• Fiona Mansell, Assistant National Secretary of the Maritime Union of New
Zealand (MUNZ)
• Joulene Parent, Executive Member, ILWU Local 500

The discussion tackled systemic issues facing Indigenous women in the workplace:

• Pregnancy discrimination
• Weak return-to-work policies
• Harassment, violence, and unconscious bias

Speakers emphasized the importance of safe, culturally appropriate pathways to leadership. ILWU’s Joulene Parent reminded us: “Ask women—and ask again—where can I lift others up, and who can I bring along?” 

The session ended with concrete proposals, including embedding women’s representation structurally across the labour movement.

Confronting Racism & Economic Exploitation

Workplace and institutional racism were core themes. Ashley Spowart and Robin Hajinoor of Broome Ports shared their experiences confronting systemic discrimination—with union backing. MUA’s Thomas Mayo reiterated this commitment: “A resolution was carried to call on all MUA officials and members to call out racism and to continue our vital work against systemic discrimination that holds Australia back.”|

Delegates also condemned Black Cladding—the practice of corporations exploiting Indigenous partnerships to secure contracts without benefiting communities. The message was clear: Reconciliation must be Indigenousled, transparent, and enforceable. This aligns with ILWU’s Ten Guiding Principles, especially #3: “Workers are indivisible… Discrimination is a weapon of the boss.

Indigenous longshore workers: a legacy of resistance

ILWU Canada proudly presented on the rich history of Indigenous
longshore workers, particularly from the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil Waututh Nations. In 1906, these workers formed IWW Local 526, known as the “Bows and Arrows.” The workers funded a political mission to England, where Chief Joe Capilano met King Edward VII to demand recognition of Indigenous land rights—an early, powerful act of international solidarity.

Also highlighted was how ILWU Local 500 managed recent Indigenous hiring, receiving 30 applications for local Nations. It was arranged that the Nations would host and the union would provide an orientation as well as union education. A pensioner from each Nation publicly drew names following the education. 

ILWU Canada and ILWU Hawai‘i also sponsored the Squamish Nation Youth Pow Wow and, in the future, will be sponsoring the All Native Basketball Tournament—Canada’s largest Indigenous cultural event. Local 500 also has a visual reminder
of this rich legacy at the hiring hall, where Indigenous artwork now adorns the building. At the mural unveiling, Elder Larry Grant (Musqueam Nation) and longshore pensioner said: “It’ll probably go around the world that this country values its relationships with Indigenous workers on the waterfront.”

MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin reaffirmed the MUA’s commitment to building a more inclusive, representative workforce. “The future of our industry must be built on equity and respect,” Crumlin told delegates. “That means ensuring First Nations workers are not only represented, but leading in their workplaces on the waterfront, at sea, and at the negotiating table.”|

This directly aligns with ILWU Canada’s Resolution, R-18, from the ILWU’s 37th Convention: 

“The ILWU goes on record in defense of Native and Indigenous people’s struggle throughout this country.” It is more than symbolic; it is a call to organize, to ensure our resolutions live on in action, not just archives.

Final reflections: Leadership, policy, and the path ahead

Canada’s labour-led approach to reconciliation—though still a work in progress—is ahead of many global peers. ILWU Canada’s commitment to Indigenous leadership, policies like R-18, and grassroots education are creating international ripple effects.

Local 400 Pensioner and past ITF Canada Inspector Peter Lehay, noted in an August 2023 Dispatcher article on HaiSea Marine, a partnership between
the Haisla First Nation and Seaspan that began with Local 400 reconciliation
efforts:

“We began by acknowledging that First Nations peoples were the West Coast’s first seafarers. We secured a change to the section of our union constitution governing shipping rules. We travelled to Kitamaat Village to meet with the Haisla Nation to consult on next steps in the process of reconciliation. All of this work began before Seaspan launched its own work in the region —something all our members can forever be proud of.”

From the “Bows and Arrows” to the ILWU 39th Convention, our movement has proven that meaningful change requires:
• Political will
• Member education
• Policy that reflects our values

We often say: “Educate. Agitate. Organize.” This is more than a slogan— it is a responsibility to build power between conventions and to uplift Indigenous and marginalized workers.

Let’s keep building that path together—with courage, with clarity,
and with solidarity. Waterfront workers have a rich, deep history—and an opportunity to move forward with progressive vision, practical policy, and real action. At the heart of this is engagement and leadership of the rank and file. Your voices, your experiences, and your decisions will continue to shape a stronger, more just future for all workers.

– Joulene Parent, ILWU Local 500