What the Leaders have said...
OPEN LETTER FROM Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come
The federal election is coming upon us very soon. There are many ridings across the country where the indigenous vote can have a major bearing on the outcome of the election. If that happens we will then have a voice in the Parliament of Canada and a voice in decisions which affect indigenous people. That is why I promote the idea of voting in elections. We can make a difference in a way that will benefit our communities and people.
The right to vote for indigenous people was only acknowledged in 1960. It was not a gift. Our leaders at the time fought long and hard to have this right recognized. They waged this fight knowing that eventually our people would be in a position to affect the outcome of elections and that we would have strong voices to speak on our behalf in the Parliament of Canada.
The battles that our leaders fought were similar to the battles fought by people like Martin Luther King in America and Nelson Mandela in South Africa. They dedicated their lives so that their people could have their voices heard in the highest political forums of the land—and to do so by voting. We should honour and respect these efforts and do our part.
Consider registering to vote and let us together make history. To register, simply ask your Band Office for a letter of confirmation of residence and ask where to vote, or call your rural municipality or use your city or town address.
Miigwech Tiniki Ay ay Kukwstec-kucw
O'wela'lin Marci tcho Pilamaya
ish nish Nia:wen Quyanainni
Dr. Matthew Coon Come
Grand Chief, Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee (Quebec)
Former National Chief
The federal election is coming upon us very soon. There are many ridings across the country where the indigenous vote can have a major bearing on the outcome of the election. If that happens we will then have a voice in the Parliament of Canada and a voice in decisions which affect indigenous people. That is why I promote the idea of voting in elections. We can make a difference in a way that will benefit our communities and people.
The right to vote for indigenous people was only acknowledged in 1960. It was not a gift. Our leaders at the time fought long and hard to have this right recognized. They waged this fight knowing that eventually our people would be in a position to affect the outcome of elections and that we would have strong voices to speak on our behalf in the Parliament of Canada.
The battles that our leaders fought were similar to the battles fought by people like Martin Luther King in America and Nelson Mandela in South Africa. They dedicated their lives so that their people could have their voices heard in the highest political forums of the land—and to do so by voting. We should honour and respect these efforts and do our part.
Consider registering to vote and let us together make history. To register, simply ask your Band Office for a letter of confirmation of residence and ask where to vote, or call your rural municipality or use your city or town address.
Miigwech Tiniki Ay ay Kukwstec-kucw
O'wela'lin Marci tcho Pilamaya
ish nish Nia:wen Quyanainni
Dr. Matthew Coon Come
Grand Chief, Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee (Quebec)
Former National Chief