Alexis says working together is vital to accomplish goals

CUTLINE:

Peace River-Westlock candidate Cameron Alexis with NDP leader Thomas Mulcair at the recent Assembly of First Nations open forum on Enoch Cree Nation. (Photo: Shari Narine)

RIDING: PEACE RIVER-WESTLOCK

Former Alberta Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations Cameron Alexis is in the home stretch of working the campaign trail for the New Democratic Party in the newly formed riding of Peace River-Westlock.

“The riding is huge,” said Alexis, who has put on the miles attending events and answering interesting and varied questions. He joked, “Forget about sleep.”

Peace River-Westlock is the construction of four other districts which, like the rest of Alberta, has been solidly Tory blue. But that hasn’t stopped CBC from targeting the riding as one to watch. 
Alexis’ main party rivals are Liberal Chris Brown, who ran into some
controversy over social media postings earlier this month, and Conservative Arnold Viersen, who is a member of a social conservative Christian organization that has spoken out against provincial legislation for gay-straight alliances in Alberta schools.

This may be Alexis’ first time running under a party banner, but the former Chief of the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation has plenty of political experience. He served as Chief locally for six years, was Grand Chief for Treaty 6, and was Alberta Regional Chief with AFN until earlier this year. As Regional Chief he held the portfolio for murdered and missing Indigenous women, justice and policing, and
environment and natural resources.

Alexis decided to take the step into federal politics because of 10 years of Conservative government.

“Mr. Harper, by introducing numerous bills in the House, has whittled away at our treaty rights. At some point we all have to stand up and say, ‘Hey, we either participate in the decision-making in this country, be allowed to debate in the House of Commons on the issues that adversely affect us, or we sit back,’” he said. “So I chose to step it up for all my people and for the interest of all Canadians. Because this is a Canadian issue too because we have to come together and work together for the common interest of this country.”

The NDP seemed a natural fit. There are 22 Indigenous candidates for the party, the highest in the country, six of which are in Alberta. Alexis says respect for both former leader Jack Layton and present leader Thomas Mulcair, as well as the party’s stand against Bill C-51, anti-terrorism legislation, made his decision easier.

The issues in the riding are varied. There are environmental concerns, related to water; education; drought; and the oil and gas industry.

“We have to move together to address the issues, such as pipelines, climate change,” said Alexis. “We have to move together on these things and agree upon it as opposed to bills being presented and processed through rapidly.”

Alexis says he has heard talk about change but concedes it’s a difficult battle. Provincially the area has MLA representation from the Progressive Conservatives, Wildrose and NDP.

“(The Conservatives) have always had a strong core of supporters but, at the same time, with all the issues relative to the Harper government, I think it’s time for change. At the end of the day people have to look very carefully. Do you want Mr. Trudeau or do you want Mr. Mulcair? The Liberals had their opportunity.  It’s time for change, real change, and I’m asking for votes for the NDP,” said Alexis.

The two candidates in the Peace River-Westlock riding are Sabrina Levac (Green) and Jeremy Sergeew.

Voters go to the polls Oct. 19.