First Nations voters in Regina-Qu'Appelle engaged despite barriers

Initiatives to bring out the First Nations vote in October seem to be succeeding in the Regina-Qu'Appelle riding in southern Saskatchewan.At the annual Treaty 4 gathering in FortQu'Appellelast week, the upcoming federal election was on the agenda.

AllisonDubois,a community organizer from thePasquaFirst Nation, says that"as a First Nations person, every time we wake up it's politics. Our whole life is politics. it's about legislation, it's been about the Indian Act, it's been about Bill C-31."

There are 13 First Nations in the Regina-Qu'Appelle riding, andaccording to the Assembly of First Nations, more than 13,000 eligible voters couldmake a big differenceonOct.19.

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Elections Canada saysjust over 50 per centof on-reserve voters cast a ballot in 2011.Dubois is hopeful that evenmore First Nations will come to the polls next month.

"We need to rise up, vote, and then we're having a say, we're taking a stand and having a strong say in who forms the next government." said Dubois.

The riding has been held by Conservative MP and House of Commons SpeakerAndrewScheer since 2004. He won the last election by over 4,000 votes, but efforts to mobilize the indigenous vote has some grassroots people hoping for change.

"I think that everybody that I talk to, they're going to come out and vote this year. I think there is more interest." said Mona Creeley from the Okanese First Nation.

Some worry, however, that stricter rules from the new Fair Elections Act will discourage voters.

"Now, I heard it's kind of tough when you register for your voting," said Joe Poitras from StarblanketCree Nation. "A lot of them might not have the proper ID."

Dubois is hopeful First Nations will come out to vote, but recognizes IDis just one of the barriers.

"First Nations people, the grassroots people, have been for some timethe voiceless people and because they have been voiceless they've become disenfranchised." she said.

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