Mulcair to attend AFN open forum

Prime Minister Stephen Harper remains an unconfirmed invited guest for the Assembly of First Nations open forum scheduled Oct. 7 in Enoch Cree Nation.

The full day event has got the commitment of NDP
leader Thomas Mulcair, however. Mulcair’s attendance is in keeping with what local NDP Indigenous candidates have been saying about both the party and the leader.

“I know Tommy and he’s genuine. He’s tired of the inaction in Ottawa. He is passionate about helping the First Nations people. When he speaks, he’s genuine… he’s a guy who cares,” said Duane Zaraska, NDP candidate in Lakeland.

Lakeland is the only Alberta riding in which two Indigenous candidates are facing off. Garry Parenteau is carrying the banner for the Liberal party.

Cameron Alexis, who is running in Westlock-Peace River, says it was Mulcair’s actions that persuaded him to join the NDP after he initially turned down an offer from the Liberals. Alexis says he had always been impressed with former party leader Jack Layton, who would sit among the First Nations people in the gallery in the House of Commons.

Caption: The crowd packed
the River Cree on Enoch Cree Nation this morning to listen to NDP leader
Thomas Mulcair pledge millions of dollars to close the gap between
Indigenous people and the rest of Canada. Mulcair said as prime minister
he would build a nation-to-nation relationship and lead a special
committee that would ensure
Indigneous rights and treaties were upheld.

(Photo: Shari Narine)

“And Thomas Mulcair has continued that path of communication, at least participating with his MPs in major gatherings of First Nations. And that was one of the things I really like, the willingness to work with Aboriginal people,” said Alexis.

The Liberals will be represented by Aboriginal Affairs critic Carolyn Bennett, while Brenda Sayers, Indigenous candidate in
the riding of North Island-Powell River, will speak on behalf of the Green Party.

No representative from the Conservatives has been confirmed.

The AFN called for an open forum following the second leadership debate when it became clear that First Nations issues were not a priority.

“It’s time to talk about closing the gap to build a stronger Canada for all of us. Canadians know the current approach needs to change and the parties need to show
leadership. We have been clear on our priorities and we want a discussion that puts our agenda front and centre during this election,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde in a statement.

As a means to direct conversation toward First Nation issues, the AFN produced and released a report entitled, Closing the Gap: 2015 Federal Election Priorities for First
Nations and Canada. The report sets
out a plan and vision for change to strengthen First Nations and Canada. 

Bellegarde will present that report and talk about federal election priorities as part of the public forum. He will also talk about moving forward after the election and maintaining the
momentum that has been built as Aboriginal people look to take a more active role in the federal election.

The AFN released a report that indicated 51 ridings across the country could be influenced by Aboriginal voters. In Alberta, Edmonton-Griesbach was the only riding falling in this category. Even though the riding has a high Aboriginal population, there are no Aboriginal candidates.

The forum will also address the identification needed by First Nations people in order to vote and will look at mobilizing the Indigenous vote.

There are seven Indigenous candidates in the province, six of whom are running under the NDP banner and one of whom is running for the Liberals. There are 34 seats in Alberta.

The open forum is scheduled for tomorrow at the Edmonton Marriott at River Cree Resort on the Enoch Cree
Nation.