First Nations voters raise their voice and oh, they’re heard

“I was going around, asking people to turn out and vote, regardless of what their political leanings were, get out and cast your vote. So they did,” he said.

Judging by comments made by Peter Ballantyne Band members, Beatty said he expected Liberals or NDP to come out on top in their riding. During discussions, Beatty said his community seemed more engaged.

“I think people are starting to wake up and I attribute to the length of the campaign,” he explained. “With that much hype and that much advertising on TV, people start to get the message there is something going on.

“That, plus people being urged by First Nations leaders as well to go out and vote and make a difference.”

After a poor aboriginal turn out in past years, Beatty said National Chief Perry Bellegarde encouraged his people across the country to have their say.

While some people think First Nations government and the federal government are two separate entities, he pushed that for First Nations people, they both matter.

“The view has changed. Politically we can make a difference, I think right across the country,” which, Beatty said, was proved Monday night.

Still, he says an improvement can still be made.

“We need to have more people involved in federal, provincial and municipal politics,” he said.

Chief of Montreal Lake Cree Nation Edward Henderson said he was pleased to see the response from his communities.

“The people came out, and voted and spoke I think,” he said, which was proved when 85 per cent of voters on the Little Red River Reserve cast their ballot, and more than half of eligible voters from Montreal Lake did the same.

Henderson said the First Nations vote is crucial, which is why he had everyone over 18 from his communities register in advance.

“The only way for us to make a difference federally and provincially is we have to get our people out there and start voting.”

So far, he said he’s seen a change for the better.

“I think more and more people are getting involved, especially our youth…and I think that’s a great thing,” he said.

As far as the new NDP MP Georgina Jolibois goes, Henderson is positive about the change.

“I’ve met Georgina a couple times. I think she’s somebody we can work with,” said Henderson. “I look forward with her and also the new government elect, hopefully this government will listen to our voices.”

With files from Nigel Maxwell.

asoloducha@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by Alex Soloducha

First Nations voters raise their voice and oh, they’re heard

What's Trending