Young Indigenous voters don't want candidates to forget environment, reconciliation in election

Maintaining a strong Canadian identity amid United States tariffs and annexation threats is a key federal election issue for Aamjiwnaang First Nation member Christopher Pitre, but he says he doesn't want that to distract from other conversations that matter to Indigenous voters. 

"I do believe [Canadian sovereignty] will be a goal of any of these governments, and I don't want to be fooled into thinking that one leader is going to be tougher with the United States," Pitre said. "Sometimes these hot-button issues can take up too much of the conversation."

He's one of the young voters who spoke to CBC News at the Fanshawe College Institute of Indigenous Learning's Year-End Gathering, who said sovereignty, the environment and Indigenous relations are among top-of-mind issues this election.

"I feel like any leader who is elected wants to remain independent, and I believe they would do anything not to be acquired by the States," said Breanna Richard, from Mi'kmaq First Nations on the East Coast. 

Instead of focusing on Canadian identity, she said she wants to hear candidates talk about the environment and climate change during their campaigns. 

"We are seeing a lot of global changes with the climate, waste and pollution, and all of those things need to be addressed," Richard said. "We all came together during the pandemic, so I believe that we can all come together and solve a global issue, which is global warming."

Many of the issues that matter to Indigenous communities matter to all Canadians, said Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI) Grand Chief Joel Abram.

"Basically, any issue that the mainstream is going through is going to be exacerbated within First Nations communities," he said, pointing to housing, cost of living, mental health, employment and economic development.

"When you get into some of the remote and smaller communities, the First Nations have often been thought of as third-class citizens when it comes to funding commitments," Abram said. "A lot of First Nations are way behind in terms of their infrastructure, with the impacts of things like residential schools and the Sixties Scoop, so it's going to take resources to undo those harms."

Indigenous voters want candidates to visit communities

Some Indigenous voters are urging candidates to visit Indigenous communities to understand the Indigenous angle in Canada-wide issues. 

"Communication and making sure that those communities are feeling heard are most important," said Pitre. "A collaborative approach is important for any issue." 

When it comes to climate, for example, Richard said she would like to see communities like hers prioritized.

"Within the reserve, we aren't very rich, so oftentimes, during power outages, snowfall and rain, we tend to be left last for cleanup." 

Young voters said they would also like to see candidates make continued efforts toward reconciliation. 

"History continues to repeat itself unless we learn from it," said Caldwell First Nations member Daveigh Fletcher. "A lot of it is communication and showing truth and reconciliation. It's not just saying you acknowledge it for a day, but putting it into your everyday routine."

Abram said connecting with Indigenous communities doesn't necessarily have to be a trip to a reserve but could even be a short phone call to local chiefs and councils. 

He said he feels hopeful about Indigenous involvement in this year's federal election.

"We always have to have hope," Abram said. "We also know that this comes with an educational process, so we're always willing to sit down and talk."