Can indigenous Canadians swing the election?

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The aboriginal vote: Can indigenous Canadians swing the election?

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Lee Berthiaume, Ottawa Citizen Published on: June 28, 2015 | Last Updated: June 28, 2015 6:13 PM EDT

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip believes there has been a political awakening among aboriginals. And the influential head of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs hopes that when the votes are counted in October, aboriginals will have played a key role in kicking the Conservatives from power.

The Assembly of First Nations has argued in recent weeks that if indigenous voters turn out en masse in October, they could influence the results in as many as 51 federal ridings. If so, amid early predictions of a minority government, those voters could play a significant role in deciding which party takes power.

High aboriginal turnout would normally seem far-fetched. But Phillip and others argue indigenous voters are more motivated now than ever, thanks to their perceptions of how the Conservative government has treated them.

“This in all likelihood is the most important federal election in a very, very long time,” Phillip says. “And in that regard, I would hope First Nations people realize that, and know and understand how important it is to exercise their right to register a vote for the party of their choice.”

Voter turnout among aboriginals has always trailed non-aboriginals. Exact figures are hard to nail down, in part because it’s difficult to determine how many aboriginals living in urban centres actually cast ballots. But turnout on reserves has been between 15 and 20 per cent less than that of the general population since 2004.

Aboriginals are less likely to vote than non-aboriginal Canadians for a number of reasons. Partly it’s a historic distrust and refusal to acknowledge what many indigenous people see as a foreign government. But there are also more practical barriers, such as poverty, lack of education, and lack of awareness.

“When you don’t feel part of a system, when you don’t feel part of a society, you don’t feel you want to go out and vote,” says AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde. “And you’re not going to be concerned about voting and politics when you’re looking for a place to live, when you’re trying to put food on the table.”

But Bellegarde says there’s also a growing realization that by not voting, aboriginals make it easier for governments of all stripes and at all levels to ignore their concerns and demands.

“Even talking to some members of Parliament, if they know there’s low voter turnout among First Nations people, they’re not helping get (the MPs) elected,” he says. “Therefore First Nations people’s issues aren’t a priority for them. That’s the reality out there, and people are starting to see that.”

The AFN has been actively working to get out the vote on Oct. 19. It has partnered with Elections Canada on several fronts to raise awareness and inform aboriginals of how to vote. It has also been encouraging First Nations chiefs across the country to take a leadership role and encourage their people to vote.

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