'Get our voices heard': 2 Inuit women make history in Quebec election

History is being made in the upcoming Quebec provincial election: not one, but two Inuit women will stand in a Quebec election for the first time.

When Mona Belleau running for the New Democratic Party of Quebec in the riding of Chauveau announced her candidacy in mid-August, she became the first Inuk woman ever to run in a Quebec provincial election, the NDP-Quebec said.

It's really important that we stand up together and that we decide to get our voices heard.- Mona Belleau, candidate

Then on Sept. 9, Qubec Solidaire announced Alisha Tukkiapik's candidacy in the northern riding of Ungava.

For Belleau, representing the interests of First Nations people and Inuit across the province is key.

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"It's really important for me that we take an active role in different parts of society, whether it's research, or at an academic level, or in politics," she said. "It's really important that we stand up together and that we decide to get our voices heard."

BelleauandTukkiapikmay be running for different parties,but there is no hint of rivalry between the candidates.

"Knowing that we're two Inuit women, that's really amazing for me. I'm really happy about her candidacy also and I wish her a lot of luck," Belleau said.

A voice for Indigenous communities

For Belleau, pushing for greater representation and opportunity for First Nations people would be a priority if she were to be elected.

"I can represent and I can also be a voice for all Aboriginal and Inuit across the province. So that's something I'm really proud of," she said.

Belleau saidthe response to her candidacy has been very moving.

"I've had a lot of people tell me also, 'Oh, I've never voted at a provincial level, but I'm going to vote for you.' So that is something that's really touching," she said.

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'We are two-thirds of Quebec'

The riding of Ungava covers almost half of Quebec's total land mass.

Roughly 60 per cent of the population of Ungava are Inuit, though Tukkiapik is the only Indigenouscandidate running in the riding.

Many residents report feeling disenfranchised from political life. The region recorded the lowest voter turnout in the last provincial election, with only 41.5 per cent of registered voters turning out to vote.

It may not be an easy road for Tukkiapik. She says the high costs of travelling around northern Quebecmeans she is limited in how much she can directly interact with her potential constituents.

Additionally, Tukkiapik represents Qubec Solidaire, which promises tohold consultations on Quebec independence and, ultimately, another referendum on the sovereignty question.Historically, many First Nations communities have rejected the prospect of separating from Canada by a wide margin.

How do you expect to win your province when you don't even want to help the two thirds of your province?- Alisha Tukkiapik, candidate

But Tukkiapik wants to set the record straight on separatism and referendums in Quebec.

"There are old scare tactics where if you are voting for Qubec Solidaire, you are voting for separatists, and you are voting for a referendum," she said.

"But all in all, a lot of people don't know it doesn't work that way."

Instead, she wants to focus on longstanding issues that communities in northern Quebec face, including the housing shortage, mental health, and the high cost of living.

"I hear it every day from people and what I see with my work," she said. "It shows how much we need the government to see we need help," she said.

"We are two-thirds of Quebec, and how do you expect to win your province when you don't even want to help the two-thirds of your province?"

The Quebec provincial election is scheduled for Oct.1.

• ForCBC's full coverage of the Quebecelection campaign, go to Quebec Votes 2018

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