AFN identifies 51 federal ridings where the Aboriginal vote could decide a majority and minority government

National Chief Perry Bellegarde said the Assembly of First Nations has identified 51 federal ridings where the Aboriginal vote could decide a majority and minority government in the upcoming election in October. AFN is working to mobilize the Aboriginal vote. “We are starting to harness that political energy, that political power.” Bellegarde said. Aboriginal voters need to know which parties favor treaty implementation and support investments in First Nations. And the AFN wants to make sure Aboriginal voters are ready. The new Fair Elections Act has eliminated the vouching process, so it may make it more difficult, without the proper identification, for Aboriginal people to vote. A status card, while legal Canadian identification, cannot be used to identify yourself for voting purposes.