Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Local News

Speak out with your vote

Union of Ontario Indians News Release ********************** NIPISSING FIRST NATION – In supporting the National Chief's "National Day of Political Action", First Peoples Vote is encouraging youth and elders to vote and continue to raise their issues
Kate Adams
Union of Ontario Indians
News Release

**********************

NIPISSING FIRST NATION – In supporting the National Chief's "National Day of Political Action", First Peoples Vote is encouraging youth and elders to vote and continue to raise their issues with political candidates during the course of the election.

"We are encouraging all sectors of our communities to speak out, not only by using their voices in this campaign, but by using their vote," said Grand Council Chief John Beaucage of the Anishinabek Nation, who developed the First Peoples Vote initiative. "We especially want our youth and elders to be vocal throughout the campaign and use the power of their votes strategically."

Across Canada, there are more than 115,000 First Nations youth (aged 18-30) of voting age. Education opportunities, skills development and training continue to be their primary concern, an issue that Grand Council Chief Beaucage would like to see partially addressed by a renewal of the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement (AHRDA).

“Our young people are the fastest-growing demographic in Canada,” said Beaucage, “so Canada needs to renew AHRDA with a greater level of investment in education, training, access and opportunities.”
"Providing First Nations youth with the opportunity to fully participate in the skilled workforce is an investment in Canada’s future,” the Grand Council Chief said. “Our youth are a vast, untapped source of young, willing and able workers."

Grand Council Chief Beaucage is encouraging youth to contact "Broadcasting Consortium" which is coordinating the Oct. 1-2 televised debates by national party leaders to ensure their issues are on the agenda.

An immediate election-related concern for First Nations elders is the requirement to produce official identification at the polling stations. Election Canada regulations currently require either a government-issued photo ID – such as a driver's license – two original pieces of ID (health card, utility bills, etc.) or a sworn statement from another elector.

"In many cases our elders don't have government-issued ID or utility bills in their names,” said Beaucage. “I'm concerned because it is just these types of barriers that prevent our people from participating in the election."

**********************