RE: BC General Election May 14, 2013
Are you aware that our people were not “granted” the right to vote here in British Columbia until 1949?
Did you know that First Nations (“Indian”) people were not granted the right to vote in Canada’s Federal Elections until as recently 1960?
Did you also know that they had to give up their “Indian Status” if they wanted to become Canadian Citizens and vote in Federal Elections?
Although the above timeline is somewhat disturbing, one thing remains true. It is our right to be engaged and vote in the BC General Election (May 14, 2013) and Canadian Federal Election (tentatively scheduled for October 19, 2015).
Many of our people and leaders from our communities fought for the right so that you and I can have a say in our future and what happens in this province and country.
Not only are the dates appalling, but according to a recent study by Elections Canada they discovered that only 45 per cent of our people living at home (“on-reserve”) in Canada voted in the 2011 Federal Election, as opposed to 61 per cent of the general population.
One of the most interesting turns of events over the past year is the coming together of our grassroots people through the Idle No More movement.
But one thing is certain, our people’s frustrations over the provincial or federal governments will only change if more of our people and all Canadians get out and participate in the vote.
In particular, our young people/youth need to realize the power which is in their hands as the fastest growing segment of the population anywhere in Canada; they have the ability to create real change from the ground up.
As the leaders of not only tomorrow but the leaders of today, our young people have the right to a brighter future and for those who are 18 years and older, they have the right to vote which our ancestors fought for.
So over the next month we ask you to engage yourself in what is happening provincially in the upcoming BC General Election (MAY 14, 2013), educate yourself about the issues of not only our people, but issues that affect all British Columbians and finally we would ask that you simply get out and vote because it is your right to do so.
Below are interesting websites for your information or resources we have utilized for this article:
Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ric-grenier-higher-native-turnout-could-have-reduced-harper-to-minority-government/article7340793/
AANDC Fact Sheet for Aboriginal rights in BC: http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100016383/1100100016384
BC legislation: http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/treaty/legislation.html
Elections Canada, Turnout for On-reserve voting: http://www.elections.ca/res/rec/part/fvt/fvt_en.pdf
Apathy is Boring-YouTube video about voting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzsL4VzA210
