We're on the edge of an election, and I've been nibbling on my nails a bit, already thinking about who's going to get my vote this time around. I did a little online digging, and have been keeping close tabs on the evening news.
Sure, I'm not as in love with our election as much as the U.S. political race -- but it's still something I can't ignore. An election is going to happen.
Here's how I see it.
In almost three years of Stephen Harper's minority government there have been a few changes for us -- the 1.1 million people Canada calls aboriginal. Probably the most notable change was the apology to residential school survivors.
In the courts, there was a small degree of recognition of some vague need to consult First Nations before removing natural resources from the land. Baby steps, I guess.
But on the other hand, the recently launched Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission offers no remedy to survivors of severe abuse. Just last week I went with my uncle to yet another law firm meeting -- it's one of a long string of them stretching across almost a decade and two provinces.
And, of course, Canada continues to ignore the sovereignty of the original peoples of this country.
Stephen Harper wouldn't consider forcing an early election if he didn't think the Conservatives would win a majority.
But all First Nation, Métis and Inuit who consider themselves Canadian voters should ask themselves if they want Stephen Harper to do that.
Which party is going to get its hands dirty and cause some real changes to our status quo? The legacy of residential schools continues. Which party will spend the money necessary to stop our young people from killing themselves and murdering each other? Which party is going to ensure the resources are in place to fix the housing crisis affecting us all?
Who's going to extend that good paved road across your reserve? Or get you clean water?
If you're a follower of polls you'll see that at the end of the 39th Parliament, the Conservatives and Liberals are neck and neck in popularity. The race to a majority is going to be tight; the possibility of another minority regime distinct.
So, if you want that dusty old road paved, you shouldn't miss this chance to vote.
Neither party can afford to ignore the aboriginal vote. Remember, we're 1.1 million strong -- many of voting age. There are enough federal ridings where the aboriginal vote will decide the outcome. But that will only ring true if aboriginal voters actually vote.
Look around you. Neither Liberal nor Conservative -- the parties that have run Canada since its inception -- has ever done much for us. And why? Because we don't hold them as accountable as other Canadians do.
Politicians don't pay as much attention to our protests, our leaders or the suffering of our youth as strongly as they do the bottom line.
And the bottom line is this: Politicians pay attention to voters.
You don't need money, and you don't need to be an expert to vote. Just do whatever it takes to get out to the forums and debates and listen to what the politicians have to say. Carefully assess each candidate in your riding. Look up your riding if you don't know what it is.
Learn what they stand for and what they don't. Have they kept the promises they made to you before? Ask them questions -- get them to spell out exactly how they'll make real change in your life if you support them. Then cast your ballot.
colleen.simard@gmail.com
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