Elections Saskatchewan interpretation declared victory for First Nations voters

Elections Saskatchewan’s broad interpretation of one of 53 acceptable pieces of identification will make polling stations more accessible for First Nations voters.

“Our office works within the legislation but it’s our duty to interpret it,” said Chief Electoral Officer David Wilkie.
Wilkie said he and staff discussed concerns that were raised by the NDP during discussions with the provincial government in the all-party Board of Internal Economy and later by First Nations, in particular Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook Searson when the Saskatchewan Party decided that chiefs could not write letters attesting to their members’ residency. Attestation letters were accepted in the federal election held earlier this year.

“It was certainly made clear to us… this was going to be a problem,” said Wilkie, “that it wouldn’t catch all First Nations people with the wording that was done.”

At issue is the difficulty many First Nations members face in procuring a piece of identification which includes residency. Mail on many reserves indicates a box number not a house address and utility bills come in the name of the primary resident. With inadequate housing available, adult children and sometimes two or three families are crowded into a single home.

Another change adopted by the provincial government was to limit the number of people a sworn-in voter could vouch for. In the 2007 provincial election, one voter could vouch for an unlimited number of people. This time around, a voter can vouch for only one person. Once vouched for, that person cannot vouch for another.

Wilkie worked with staff and determined that regulation 1-30, which allowed “any other piece of identification issued by the Government of Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan, a Saskatchewan municipality, a school division or an Indian band in Saskatchewan, or an agency of one of these entities bearing the individual’s name” could include a letter from a chief or designate stating the voter’s residency. The “Letter of Authorization” as it is called will be allowed as one of two pieces of identification. The form must be filled out prior to the voter coming to the polling station.

The Letter of Authorization is similar to identification the provincial government is already allowing from authorities as proof of residency for students, seniors residence or health centres as well as shelters or soup kitchens.

“(The government) is just making it more difficult for the Aboriginal people to vote,” said Tony Cote, former chief of the Cote First Nation and former vice-chief with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

Cote alleged the provincial government took its stand because it is worried about the impact First Nations voters could have on the results. This provincial election sees a record number of Aboriginal people seeking seats, the majority of whom are carrying the banner for the NDP.

 “I’m surprised in this day and age how reluctant (the government) really is (for) the Indian people to vote…That’s why they’re making it more difficult… In 2011, it should be wide open (to vote) just like it is for the rest of the people,” said Cote.

“Let’s make it very clear. The Sask. Party didn’t call for the changes. At the end of the day, it has been because of the concern of the voters. That’s a huge victory for First Nations leaders, First Nations voters and the democratic right to vote,” said Doyle Vermette, Northern Affairs critic for the NDP and one of two sitting Aboriginal MLAs. Vermette was instrumental in pushing for the change.
Saskatchewan voters go to the polls Nov. 7.