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Wooing the Aboriginal Vote Can Any of Saskatchewan's Political Parties Change the Face of Politics? Even though they make up only 10 per cent of the population in Saskatchewan, Aboriginal voters pose a significant portion of the electoral and if any of the province's political parties can make significant inroads First Nations could be a major factor in the provincial election. First Nations leaders argue that Aboriginal people pose a major electoral force in 17 of the province's 58 constituencies. So why aren't First Nations using that power? Apathy is only part of the problem. First Nations people say there is a long history behind their poor voter turnout and they say to recapture that vote, the parties will have to find a way to pique their interest and gain their trust. The Deiters: Politics in the family Anthony Deiter's small downtown Regina apartment isn't the kind of place for a political strategy meeting. Deiter's paintings are hanging on the walls and his carvings fill up every available corner of space. It's a great place to sip a latté and talk about the future of art or to have deep philosophical musings. Today it the provincial election that's on the discussion agenda. Anthony's mother Gloria Deiter and his uncle Merv Deiter have popped by for a visit. Gloria Deiter is retired, but she as a sixties political activist, politics is still in her blood. She used to march in protests against the war in Vietnam, rallied against apartheid and lobbied for civil rights. Deiter says that during that time she didn't realize that she didn't have rights in Canada as a First Nations person. Now she knows better. Deiter says she doesn't see a political party in this provincial election that is dealing with justice and human rights issues she thinks are so important. "Voting is very important to me because I think that is the only way that maybe they'll hear us," she says. "In all honesty, out of complete frustration, I haven't voted in the last three years, but it's not because I'm not interested. I watch the news, I read the papers, I see who's running, but I've had some real setbacks and disappointment in the party that I'd joined in the last few years and I approached the leader of the next party, which I probably would've voted for and left a message for him to call me back because I had some questions regarding his party. I also let it be known that I was an Aboriginal person, and they never did get back to me. So I thought, okay you're not interested in talking to me, why should I even vote to begin with. So I haven't voted for three years."
In 1960, Canada's Prime Minister John Diefenbaker extended voting rights to Aboriginal Canadians. Diefenbaker was known for his concern for the little guy — people like the farmer and the clerk. He also said that giving Aboriginal people the vote was something he had to accomplish when coming to office. He did that after only two short years in office. Before this historic move Aboriginal people had to give up treaty rights to vote. The only First Nations granted voting rights who were allowed to keep their Treaty Rights were servicemen returning from the first and second world wars. Support for giving Aboriginal people the vote was virtually unanimous when it came to a vote in the House. Diefenbaker's next move was to make the first appointment of an aboriginal person to the Senate. That was James Gladstone. Less than a decade later the first aboriginal person was elected to the House of Commons. Len Marchand took his seat in the House of Commons to represent the British Columbia riding of Cariboo.
Shortly after all of the provinces and territories followed suit. But many First Nations people feel the hype surrounding the vote did not produce the results they thought it would. Gloria and Merv Deiter say when they were first able to vote, they were excited. Today, they question their enthusiasm. Gloria Deiter says people on reserve were excited about the changes to voting laws because it opened up all kinds of other opportunities for change. Merv Deiter says it was a big deal for his family. His parents were always interested in politics and they believed that by getting the vote, Aboriginal people would gain access to desperately needed social services. "Well it seemed to put us back into the mainstream, but sort of on the sideline. "says Merv Deiter. "I don't think we as First Nations people have enough representation, especially from the urban areas. Now, how that can come about - the changes? I guess if the next government would take more interest in the urban people and have some public meetings with us we'd probably be happy. I suppose that would be a step forward for us to be able to voice what goes on in the community. And, the first nations people in the urban settings seem to be the in the same boat they've always been in. So sometimes I wonder is it even worthwhile voting. I've been hoping to become employed by voting - but being First Nations people it's a tough situation no matter who you vote for because the programs just don't seem to be available for us. I know there's a lot there for aboriginal people. But it comes down to as people you're from different reserves and the setting seems to be - and I can't say or speak for anybody else - but we seem to be without a voice."
Keith Carlson says 1960 was a pivotal time for First Nations across Canada. While they needed the federal vote to affect change in Ottawa, many did not want the provincial vote. Many First Nations people felt they had a relationship with Ottawa; few wanted to extend that tie to the provinces. Under the Indian Act, First Nations are a federal responsibility, and few wanted to add another level of bureaucracy to their dealings. Carlson says there was also a great deal of mistrust in the 'Canadian' political system, and anyone over the age of 50 likely remembers a time when voting meant losing your status as a Treaty Indian. Carlson says subsequent dealings with Ottawa didn't help to foster a trusting relationship. In 1968-69, Jean Chrètien, then the Minister of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, introduced the White Paper. After months of consultations, Ottawa had introduced a new way to enfranchise Indians and make Treaty Rights null and void. First Nations people across the country rose up, and stopped their rights from being eroded. But, Carlson says the damage had already been done. "Certainly that was the case in 1968-69 when then minister of Indian Affairs - Chretien - introduced the white paper proposal," says Carlson. "And suggested that within five years aboriginal status be eliminated in Canada, that assimilation had been successful. And shouldn't these brown people be happy that they are now a part of Canada. There's a risk that the more they cooperate and participate - the more our society the dominant in terms of numbers will say to them well you don't need your aboriginal status and rights." Carlson says in the end, "to be Aboriginal is to be here first." That means even though Canada and the provinces are a reality, First Nations people still see themselves as independent nations. And Carlson says while First Nations people will have to find ways to work with the province, they have many reasons to exercise caution. "I don't foresee it changing quickly," explains Carlson. "First Nations are funded principally from Ottawa. (The) province is an interloper sitting on their land - you don't want to get too involved with them."
Perry Bellegarde, former chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, says how much Saskatchewan's main governance organization for First Nations is still something being worked out. For Bellegarde, the Province and Ottawa are still considered foreign governments. He wants to see real self-government for First Nations, something that can only happen in partnership with other Canadian governments. "And if we do participate in a foreign government, what impact does that have on sovereignty and nationhood? That's the question we've got to answer," Bellegarde says. "And if we don't participate, how else do you influence governments federal and provincial and even municipal governments that are getting resources from our land and our territory with no input from us?" Bellegarde sees the relationship as a double-edged sword, and First Nations people have to find a balance on that thin line. According to him the concept most First Nations would like to see is a kind of dual citizenship, where Aboriginal people would be members of their First Nation and municipal, provincial and federal citizens. Bellegarde says that as chief he doesn't vote because Chiefs take an oath to lead their people, lobby outside governments and try working with those leaders without voting for them. This is meant to show that they are leaders of their own people and their own nations. The FSIN under his leadership did not actively encourage people to vote in elections. However, Bellegarde says that if First Nations people voted en-masse they could swing many provincial ridings, but he does believe in telling to vote. "Part of me says that yes (vote) because that's how you bring about change. Governments are going aren't going to care about First Nations issues unless they know they're going to get rallied and go out and bring them in," he says. "You know you're running in an election and running in your riding. But they don't vote, don't help you get in, so are you really going to care about their issues? No. You're going to walk away from them and turn a blind eye to them, but if they work their butt off for you, they put you in, you're beholden to them, you owe them. Hopefully the people will get organized and exercise. So all I say is Peyahtik – be careful."
Back at Anthony Deiter's home, the family is split on whether or not to vote. Merv Deiter says he doesn't which party he will cast his ballot for. In fact, the last time he voted the party he voted for joined the party he was voting against. In the end, Merv says he will exercise his right because he wants to set an example for his children and his grandchildren. He hopes if they see how involved their dad/grandfather is, they will become involved and possibly even change the current system. For Gloria and Anthony, they have some other things to consider. Anthony has been out of the province for several years, and his mother says she's becoming more and more frustrated with the political system. "I'm more interested in human rights," explains Gloria Deiter. "And not to slight a cattle farmer or grain farmer. I know those are very, very important issues. But I'm not a cattle farmer or grain farmer. But this is what seems to be taking the spotlight in all political parties provincially and federally. And it would be nice to see one of them come out and say look we have to look at justice issues, human rights issues are not being addressed - the problems are escalating in this province. And nobody's stepping forward to say we have to address these issues to say we have to address these before we have a real catastrophe on our hands and we get to throwing stones at each other." Anthony questions any of the parties ability to lead First Nations people they, for the most part, don't really understand. "Who's talking for us? Who really knows us? Rural or urban," asks Deiter. "Do these people that we're voting for provincial and they say they're speaking for all of Saskatchewan and they're looking for a better tomorrow - Are they looking for a better tomorrow for us? And have they ever been out on a reserve? Do they even know what treaty 4 means? What is treaty 4? So if they don't know anything about us I don't think we can realistically expect they're going to represent us. And that's what it takes to represent people - you have to know the people you're representing. If you only know one cross section of society that's who you're representing? I suppose that's a little pessimistic but…" So the question of whether or not to vote remains a hotly debated one, with First Nations people falling down on both sides of the debate. Traditionally, there is a low voter turnout in both federal and provincial elections. This year may be no different. But, Gloria Deiter says just because some people don't vote, doesn't mean they're not informed or interested. In fact, she has this piece of advice for those running the race to lead Saskatchewan in 2005. "I guess I wouldn't want the status quo to think that we're apathetic and always were - I think some of us are becoming apathetic - because not being heard and issues not being addressed," says Deiter. "And you just kind of throw up your hands and say what's the use. We're knocking on your door and you're not saying anything. But, I'm really listening, I'm really, really listening, and I want to hear something before I'll vote."
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(runs 1:50 in RealPlayer)
