No Aboriginal candidates for Saskatoon municipal election

There are no Aboriginal candidates running for Saskatoon city council and all of the platforms are silent on Aboriginal issues. “There is an acute need for the inclusion of Aboriginal people and our issues in this election,” said Kim Beaudin, president of the Aboriginal Affairs Coalition of Saskatchewan, in a news release. “The exclusion of Aboriginal issues and concerns is contributing to the growth of an urban ghetto in Saskatoon.” However, Ken Coates, a professor at the Johnson-Shoyama graduate school of public policy, told The StarPhoenix that First Nations people participate in other levels of politics, such as tribal councils and band councils. “It is not a question of First Nations not being active in public affairs,” Coates said. “First Nations people who are interested in public affairs are very, very active, just not in mainstream political activities.” Saskatoon municipal elections were held Oct. 24.