First Nations say their issues ignored so far in election campaign

First Nations leaders in Quebec say federal party leaders are overlooking major issues affecting theircommunities, and they want that to change, starting with tonight's French-language leadership debate.

The party leaders are facing off in Montreal Fridayat 8 p.m. for their second televised French-language debate.

The lastdebate broadcast on Radio-Canada one week agohad tempers flaring on topics ranging from the Senate, national unity and the right to wear the niqab.

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Mike Mckenzie,chief of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam an Innu communitynear Sept-les saidhe isnot impressed by anything he's heard.

"They talk about immigration and the niqaband ignore the problems facing the continents' first inhabitants" McKenzie said.

Kanesatake Grand Chief Serge Simon saidhe's also disappointed, but not surprised.

"They've been like this for so long, it's almost what we expect, and of course there's always a frustration, every election. This one's no different," Simon said.

First Nations leaders said they want the conversationduring tonight's debate, and throughoutthe rest of the campaign, to include issues that affect First Nations communities such as improving access to schools, health care and living conditions, settling territorial disputes and strengthening the communities' partnership with Ottawa.

"The Crown and First Nations relationship is broken. It must be repaired and restored. The political parties have to acknowledge that, go beyond easy electoral promises and present a real plan. Our future is also the future of all Canadians," said Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador.

Rally next week

The First Nations leaders announced Friday that they will hold a rally followed by a march in Montreal next Friday, Oct. 9.

They hopeto mobilize all First Nations communitiesacross Canada.

The federal leaders of all political parties are invited to attend.