March 10: The 44th Anniversary Of The Right To Vote For Treaty Indians Of Canada

Posted on Wednesday, March 10 at 09:12 by sthompson
In 1960, after decades of debate, the Canadian House of Commons finally removed all legal impediments to the voting rights of Treaty Indians. Prior to the change, "Status Indians", had to give up their treaty rights and registered Indian status to vote.

"I urge all Aboriginal Canadians to celebrate this anniversary by ensuring that they are registered to vote in the upcoming federal election and to inform themselves of which party will best represent our interests in parliament," says Ms. Wolf, a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Aboriginal Rights Advocate.

Contact: Ms Wolf
Phone: 403-277-9270
E-Mail: mswolf@telus.net
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Database: 376 - Release Date: 20/02/2004

Note: mswolf@telus.net

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  1. Thu Mar 11, 2004 3:19 pm
    It's nice to see that they're trying to assimilate themselves by voting as citizens of the Nation of Canada, that's a good thing because it shows that there's no need for their racist 'first' nations.

  2. Thu Mar 11, 2004 4:37 pm
    I don`t know, i don`t think if you`re aboriginal, that calling yourself First Nations is racist. That is what they are! I feel the term was meant to imply that they were the first ones here, not that they are pre-eminent over all other citizens of Canada. Being a white guy, I`ve never been offended by the term.

    ---
    Dave Ruston

  3. Tue Mar 16, 2004 10:35 pm
    I think the real issue is not the name in which is used, but the fact that the First Nations peoples of Canada haven't had a real voice in the House of Commons. Yes First Nations are allowed to vote, but that does not mean the interests or issues affecting First Nations communities are represented at par with the rest of the country. Of course that comment is debatable but Canada is a country that is almost 140 years old, HELLO! Do you not see the discrepency here?! The fact that First Nations peoples couldn't vote for so long has meant the displacement of this generation of First Nations in the decision making process in our supposedly democratic country. Oh yah by the way, did you vote for our new Prime Minister? How does it make you feel to be powerless against people with so much power?

  4. by geoffb
    Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:18 am
    Elijah Harper was a leading man in blocking the Meech Lake Accord.

  5. Wed Mar 17, 2004 8:42 pm
    Yes, Elijah Harper was an important figure in national politics, but lets look at more recent precedents, like how the supreme court of Canada ruled against granting the Assembly of First Nations official party status. Even though it represents the majority of bands across the country. How can important issues like land claims, etc. be brought to the attention of the general public without it being filtered through biased media sources? AFN only has lobby group status, Why do you think this is? I'm stumped. -Brandon G.



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