Thousands of voters from the Blood Tribe and Piikani Nation in southwestern Alberta will have to drive up to half an hour to the nearest polling station because there are none set up on their reserves.
Lois Frank, who lives on the Blood reserve and teaches Native American studies at the University of Lethbridge, told CBC News the lack of a polling station is another sign that native people are not included in provincial politics.
"I think it's unfortunate because a lot of people would probably like to have some input," she said Thursday.
"But it's also the candidates they need to get out there and talk to the people. I don't think I've had anyone go out there and talk to the Blood people and campaign out there."
Teresa Atterbury, spokeswoman for Elections Alberta, said the area's returning officer made several attempts to speak to both bands to set them up but never heard back from anyone. She said there is no policy requiring polling stations to be set up on each reserve.
The closest polling stations are in the towns of Pincher Creek or Fort Macleod. Both reserves are in the riding of Livingstone-Macleod.
Atterbury said she's in the process of finding out what the situation is on other First Nations locations in Alberta, but may not have an answer until after the March 3 election.
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- It's 'Ed's Empire' after Alberta election sweep
- Political observers in Alberta are calling it remarkable and opposition politicians are wondering what hit them after Ed Stelmach guided his Conservative party Monday to one of its biggest majorities ever.
- Low voter turnout in Alberta election being questioned
- As Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Conservatives savour their sweeping election victory, some people are raising a nagging concern: why so few people bothered to vote.
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- Voters in Alberta stuck with tried-and-true blue, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government in Monday's provincial election.
- Political tide turns in Edmonton
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