Indigenous voters want a ‘voice at the table’
Hi, I report live from across Ontario for CBC News Network. Today I’m on Manitoulin Island, and more specifically, in the M’Chigeeng First Nation. I’m at Kenjgewin Teg, a post-secondary institution that is hosting an on-campus voting site run by Elections Canada.
Sandra Dewing is a welding student here and plans on casting a ballot. “We are lucky to live in a democratic society,” she said. “If you don’t vote, you don’t have a right to complain.”
Dewing, who is training for a second career, said she’d like to hear more commitments from candidates for increased mental health services for young people in her community.
Adolphus Trudeau, a retired firefighter and former local councillor, is also studying welding.
“What’s heavy on my mind is First Nations issues. We’ve got to have that voice at the table,” he said.
Trudeau, and others I spoke to today, said their voices are not being heard in this campaign so far.
The school is hosting a candidates meeting tomorrow and Beverley Roy, president of Kenjgewin Teg, plans to ask candidates about their plans for Indigenous education and rights. She said she hasn’t heard enough about those issues during the campaign.
“That’s part of the tough questions I’m going to be asking tomorrow. I want to hear what their positions are,” she said.
Indigenous voices, and their votes, should not be ignored, said Roy. “Indigenous people can make a difference in these types of elections, especially in our riding.”
