First Nations need to exercise their right to vote

The power of collective voice and role of leadership at work!

This past week, we heard the news of the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde, ‘backtracking’ on his intention to ‘not vote’ in the upcoming election, citing an effort to remain ‘non-partisan’.

However, on Wednesday, he announced that he now ‘will vote’; the goal being to vote for a government committed to closing the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and other Canadians.

Great on National Chief Bellegarde.

The way I see it, he’s noted that in years past he has not voted. To me, that speaks mostly to his right as a private citizen to vote/not vote in such elections. However, he now holds the ultimate duty as the National Chief of the AFN to be the official public political voice of First Nations across Canada.

This representation of First Nations must effectively progress the principles and role and functions as laid out in the Charter of the Assembly of First Nations.

Further, as per the Charter, the National Chief’s role and authority states: “As a leader who exercises delegated mandates, authority, responsibilities and duties, the National Chief has a sacred political trust to comply in every respect with the direction given by the First Nations-in-Assembly, the Confederacy of Nations and the Executive Committee.”

These particular bodies are the collective representations of First Nation leaders and citizens nationwide. In essence, voting is a tool for change and evolution/movement.

Leadership’s duty is to use tools for key functions: deconstruct, reconstruct or make stronger. We, as First Nation people, are being challenged to follow in the footsteps of leadership. Let’s see what this voting tool brings us.

Kerry Assiniwe
Member of Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve