Métis, get ready to vote in 2017
- EFN Staff | November 20, 2016
2017 marks yet another opportunity for the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan to embrace the spirit of rejuvenation. With all of the chaos experienced in the past few years, some sceptics wonder why anyone would commit the time and energy it takes to inform themselves about the 2017 MN-S Election. And considering the past issues with elections, there are worries over who gets to vote this time and where.
Fred Payton, the returning Chief Electoral Officer, thinks the Métis people of Saskatchewan have an opportunity to choose the direction for the next four years for this representative organization. The biggest challenge will be dispelling any misinformation about voter eligibility in order to encourage as much of the Métis population in Saskatchewan as possible to vote.
“I have a Métis Elections Act that I am bound to follow.” said Fred. “It is important to communicate that one does not need to hold a Métis Nation of Saskatchewan membership card in order to cast a vote in this election.”
Related stories:
- Métis Elders call on government for funding to end political disruption
- Court orders MNS to get down to business
- Judge finds Morin faction not in contempt
- Métis Local Presidents have had enough
There has been a lot of confusion out there about who can actually vote these days. The Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Elections Act provides the guidelines to direct the voting process. Based on the Elections Act, the criteria to vote for Executive positions as a Metis citizen is as follows.
You must:
- Identify as a Métis citizen
- Be at least 16 Years of Age
- Not be a registered member of a First Nation or any other Aboriginal peoples
- Be a Resident of Saskatchewan
To vote for a Regional Representative, you must be each of the above and a resident of the Region for which the Regional Representative is a candidate.
Every person who votes will be required to sign a Declaration indicating the above, as well as that they have not previously voted in this election. This Declaration is a legal document, and failure to declare truthfully could result in the individual being charged criminally.
“Presenting the appropriate identification, as is required at all elections, and signing the Declaration is all that is required in order to vote,” says Payton.
The Act under which the election is to be held is the same Act that was approved for use for the 2007 election (and for the 2012 election) with some slight modifications. These amendments were made at the Provincial Metis Council (PMC) meeting in Yorkton on July 30th this year. The amendments which were passed did not materially change the Act, aside from providing the PMC with the authority to appoint the Complaints Officer and the Adjudicator.
Having roots that lead back to the Red River, Robert Hawkins has taken an interest in his Métis history and culture. He has resided in Saskatchewan since 1979, but it has only been in the last ten years that he has really started paying attention to Métis issues. Robert offers this message to those who are undecided about whether the 2017 election is worth their efforts.
"If you don't vote, you have no one to blame for the government you get but yourself. So, in the next election for the Métis Nation- Saskatchewan, be curious and find out what the candidates stand for, and vote your conscience."
Métis people in Saskatchewan have the right to have a voice. On February 4th, 2017 – make sure you let yours be heard.