Marjorie Huard, Local 1400

Affinity Credit Union
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Marjorie has been working at Affinity Credit Union for the past 26 years. Her present position is an Investment Specialist. “I became a Shop Steward fifteen years ago to ensure that my co-workers continued to receive the benefits they were entitled to.
I also wanted to ensure that my co-workers received fair representation.”

“I am a Métis woman with a mixed ancestry of Cree, Saulteaux and French. I was born and raised in Saskatchewan. In 2001 I had taken Unionism on Turtle Island, an Aboriginal Awareness workshop at a Canadian Labour Congress/Saskatchewan Federation of Labour school because I wanted to learn more about my own Métis history. After this workshop, I realized that I still needed to learn more and started doing research on my own history and genealogy.”

ducating herself and others has become a way of life for Marjorie, not only in her position as a financial advisor, helping Credit Union members with advice and financial solutions regarding retirement, education and personal wealth planning but also educating her fellow union brothers and sisters and continuing to research and learn about her own heritage.

This research became one of Marjorie’s hobbies along with traveling to new and historical places, touring museums and attending Aboriginal gatherings and celebrations. And she has put this knowledge to good use, promoting education for union members to dispel myths and racist attitudes in the workplace and community.

Marjorie became a member of the SFL Aboriginal Committee seven years ago and the Chair of Local 1400’s Aboriginal Committee three years ago, both being avenues for her to further explore her passion, to educate others. “In 2003 I had the opportunity to co-facilitated Turtle Island at Prairie School for Union Women. I continue to facilitate this workshop because I believe that education is the key to overcoming and understanding the issues and struggles that Aboriginal people face on a daily basis.”

She is especially proud to facilitate Turtle Island when she is able to do it with her daughter Tracy who is a member of Communication and Paper Workers Union and has followed her mother’s path of educating her co-workers in the importance of understanding each other to create better workplaces and stronger communities.

Marjorie also enjoys reading, needle work, is a collector of dolls and teddy bears and with her husband having family get-togethers and gardening.

“I believe that our future as a union depends on ensuring that people no longer work in cultures that isolate, and we need to continue to promote anti-racist policies in our unions and work places. I believe that we should all be judged on whom we are and not by the color of our skin, the way we dress or the way we speak.”