Op-ed: Vote in Canada's federal election
- John Lagimodiere | August 11, 2015
Well, the writ has dropped on what will be the longest and most expensive federal election in Canada’s history. The parties have polished up their platforms and elected most of their candidates and all that is left is for them to bore the heck out of us so no one votes and we are left with status quo come October 19th.
Unfortunately, Aboriginal people have not voted in the past...legally Indians could not vote prior to 1960 and after that, elections were often seen as 'white mans politics' not particularly impacting your average Aboriginal person. There are also some misguided activists that threaten that a vote in a Canadian election undermines your sovereignty as an Aboriginal person (roll the eyes).
With Aboriginal issues being ignored or brutally pounded on by the current ruling Conservative Party, there is a high level of interest and necessity in getting Aboriginal people out to vote in this election to get rid of them. Idle No More has also shown Aboriginal people that government bills and laws do impact the day to day happenings on reserve and off.
Leaders are now emerging promoting Aboriginal voting, none more prominent than Chief Perry Bellegarde of the Assembly of First Nations. Chief Bellegarde believes that this election can be the one that helps close the gap between Aboriginal people and your average Canadian. His reasons are legit and he lists them. "If we vote in this election we can close that gap...that gap represents the cap on education, the 2% cap on overall funding, the missing and murdered Aboriginal women, the high youth suicide, the children that are in provincial care, lack of access to potable water, black mold and the housing crisis in our communities. When our people come out to vote it shows the Members of Parliament and other leaders that our issues matter."
According to Chief Bellegarde, the Assembly of First Nations will be working with Elections Canada on an education and awareness campaign so that "First Nations that wish to exercise their own personal inherent sovereignty and individual right to vote, can. You need two pieces of ID. You need to register and so on. It is a challenge for a lot of our people to get through those hurdles. We are really relying on the Chiefs and Councils to get their people out and motivated."
Taking the message directly to the people are the volunteers behind Indigenous Vote Sask., a provincial, non-partisan effort to mobilize the First Nations and Métis vote in Saskatchewan. This small but mighty group have been meeting for some time, planning how they can help increase the Aboriginal vote. Next week they intend to hit several First Nation communities and provide voter awareness as well as forms for registering and or getting your ID. They just recently received the okay from Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Interim Chief Kim Jonathan and have members that drove in from La Ronge for meetings. They are serious.
They are also making videos on why you should vote and will be using social media to carry the message and rally the troops. The group is non partisan and they are really encouraging voters to not only vote, but to make an informed vote...like read the platform of the party, talk to the candidates in your region and know the issues.
The truth is, politician’s neglect constituents or ridings that don’t vote for them. And our bad track record voting certainly is reflected in the poor and neglectful policies the government has created. We just haven’t mattered. But Chief Bellegarde says the time is now. "We need to get the vote out. Our people matter. Our issues matter."
With all of the awareness and energy out there around the issues and voting, don’t be surprised if this election is historic, not just because it was long and expensive, but because it was the election when the Aboriginal people finally took their place in Canada and elevated the issues and made a difference in Ottawa by voting.
Related stories:
- Volunteer organization working to get Aboriginal vote out in 2015 federal election
- AFN Chief on pending federal election, fires
- Opinion: Early election battles give democracy a boost