Latest news with #MilesMorrisseauICT
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Indigenous voters could decide tight Canadian election
Miles MorrisseauICT Just a few months ago, the election of Canadian prime minister looked like a slam dunk – or, using a Canadian metaphor, a shot to score into an empty net. Now, Canada is in sudden-death overtime, and one mistake could decide the outcome. SUPPORT INDIGENOUS JOURNALISM. The reigning Liberals were 20 to 30 points down in numerous polls at the end of last year and the party was fighting in public over the divisive leadership of then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. On Jan. 6, Trudeau announced he was stepping down and former central banker Mark Carney was elected into his position on March 9, taking over both party and country leadership. Carney became the 24th Prime Minister of Canada without ever being elected to office. Suddenly the Liberals were back up in the polls and the Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre were playing catch-up. On Monday, April 28, the two parties will face off to win the leadership position in an election that could ultimately be determined by Indigenous voters in some of the vast nation's remote areas. Rather than casting ballots for individuals, however, Canadians vote for the parties, with the leader of the winning party assuming the post as prime Assembly of First Nations has done an analysis of the districts – known in Canada as ridings – where First Nations voters can make the difference. 'Our key ridings analysis shows that there are 36 ridings, at least, where First Nations votes don't just matter, they will determine the outcome, and that number is growing every day,' AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak told ICT. 'We're 1.5 million strong across the country,' she said. 'This analysis highlights that First Nations voices and votes matter. It also sends a message to all federal parties that our priorities must be reflected in their platforms.' The election is likely to be close, and it is not always the popular vote that wins. In Canada, the winner is determined by the party that wins the majority of the 343 ridings across the country. In the final two of Trudeau's three victories, for example, in 2019 and 2021, he did not win the popular vote. In both those elections, the Conservatives won the popular vote. The difference between winning and losing can be determined in close races all across the country. 'Very important and pivotal election' The AFN has shared with all parties its platform, 'Prosperity for All,' which outlines its priorities for the incoming government, whether it be headed by a new Conservative Party or incumbent Liberal Party leader with an actual mandate from the people. 'First Nations will continue pushing for adequate funding, recognition of our jurisdiction and fulfillment of commitments to our nations in prosperity for all,' Woodhouse Nepinak said. 'We are looking for clear commitments now on how the next government will uphold our rights and move reconciliation forward.' Métis are the fastest-growing Indigenous demographic in Canada; the 2021 census put the number of those identifying as Métis at over 600,000. 'It's extremely important for Métis voters to get out there, of course, and cast their ballots, but also to do that kind of research and reflection about what candidates and what parties are bringing to the table. I think this is a very, very important and pivotal election,' Métis National Council President Victoria Pruden, told ICT from her hotel in New York, where she was attending the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. 'It's amazing how democratically active and representative our people are,' Pruden said. 'And yes, we definitely have the opportunity to swing several ridings.' Pruden says that the economy is an issue for Métis people, with many people across the country having difficulty making ends meet. 'We're concerned about how any economic impacts are going to reverberate from the micro, from the individual and family level out through community and rippling out into the nation,' said Pruden. 'We had a chance to take a look at some statistical data that indicated that 44 percent of Métis people participating in the Indigenous People's Survey could not meet their monthly expenses. So to us and to me, if 44 percent of the people participating in that survey are struggling to make ends meet, that's a crisis.' She said it's imperative that the incoming government help build up Métis people and the community. 'We need to ensure that any Indigenous policy that's focused on growing the economy for the benefit of Métis governments, Métis communities, Métis businesses, we need to ensure that there's opportunities for our people and our Métis governments to get those on an equal footing,' Pruden said. In the Inuit territory of Nunavut, three Inuk candidates are squaring off for a seat in Parliament. The incumbent, Lori Idlout, of the New Democratic Party, is being challenged by James Arreak of the Conservative Party and Kalikvak Kaboona of the Liberal Party. Experienced leadership The political campaigns heated up quickly, with both of the top candidates lobbing rhetoric at U.S. President Donald Trump and the tariffs involving Canada's biggest trading partner. Carney's short time in power reflects the unique peculiarities of Canada's parliamentary system, which allows an unelected person to become prime minister, and for the prime minister to call an election independently without the approval or support of his or her own party, let alone the House of Commons or the Senate. Carney won election with 86 percent of the vote, but only registered members of the Liberal Party were allowed to vote. He assumed the prime minister's seat when Trudeau officially stepped down on March 14. Educated at Harvard and Oxford universities, Carney, 60, has been among the world's economic elite for most of his career, beginning with Goldman Sachs in 1988, where he worked in a variety of roles for 15 years. He was governor of the Bank of Canada for six years, from 2007-2013, and followed that with seven years as the governor of the Bank of England. He also served as finance advisor to the British Prime Minister from 2020 until announcing his candidacy for prime minister, and has served as a United Nations Special Envoy on Climate Change and Finance. Poilievre, 45, was elected to Parliament in 2004, representing the riding of Carleton, Ontario, and was elected the Conservative Party leader in 2022. He served in several parliamentary roles under Prime Minister Stephen Harper and then began serving concurrently as minister of employment and social development and minister for democratic reform.. Canada has more than a dozen registered political parties but has essentially been a two-party system, with power swinging back and forth between the Liberal and Conservative leadership. Other political parties on the ballot, however, are several that are hoping to beef up their representation in Parliament, including Bloc Québécois, the New Democratic Party and the Green Party. Indigenous issues A recent English-language debate on April 17 in Montreal among four party leaders included questions specific to Indigenous peoples. Poilievre was asked if his tough-on-crime stance would unfairly target Indigenous people, who are overrepresented in the prison system. 'I'm concerned that Indigenous people are disproportionately the victims of crime,' Poilevre said. 'I give you the example of a wonderful group of Indigenous people who came under attack in Saskatchewan, and many of them were murdered. Killer was out of jail after 60 prior convictions … This is the result of 10 years of liberal laws that allow the same offenders to be released dozens and dozens of times, even when it's known they are a danger.' Carney was asked how he plans to fast-track pipelines and mining projects while also following the Supreme Court decision that requires consent of Indigenous communities. 'I think the first thing, and this goes back a bit to where we started, which is recognizing that we are in a crisis,' he said. 'We need to act with maximum force and having a process and a consultation, but a consultation with a purpose, which is to identify those projects, those investments of national interest, that are really going to move the dial in terms of growth, jobs, energy security, well-being consistent with long-term competitiveness, which necessarily means lower carbon.' He continued, 'And so part of that process is ensuring that First Nations, Indigenous peoples, are there from the start. It also includes their ability to participate fully in those projects.' In addition to Carney and Poilievre, the debate included New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Québécois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet. Growing clout AFN National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak told ICT that there are several ridings across the country where First Nations people can influence the outcome, including the riding of Churchill Keewatinok Aski in northern Manitoba, where 64 percent of the electorate is First Nations. 'Our people make up the majority of voters,' she said. 'The Northwest Territories riding is another example where almost 40 percent of voters are First Nation, and in 2021, the race was decided by just 5.9 percent,' she said. 'In Ontario's Kenora Kiiwetinoong riding, over 35 percent of voters are First Nation. And in New Brunswick, Miramichi-Grand Lake, the 2021 election was decided by just 4.4 margin and 7.5 percent of the electorate, the people that are going to vote, are First Nations.' She said the ridings in Saskatchewan and Alberta also have a significant number of First Nations voters. With the growing significance of the First Nations vote, however, the chief would like to see more representation on the ballot. 'Every political party should make sure they have a First Nations candidate on every ballot in every election,' she said. 'It's disheartening when you see the First Nations are not prioritized sometimes on that. And although I'm glad it's getting better, I think we need to move a lot quicker.' She recalled the excitement on Oct. 18, 2023, when Wab Kinew, Anishinaabe, was elected in Manitoba as the first First Nations Premier in Canada. 'Young people all over the streets and they filled up that hotel, young people, young First Nations people,' she said. 'I was so proud of our people standing up … against aggressive policies of not to search the landfill for our women. And I think that that sends a very clear message to any political party across this country: Don't pick on our women because we will stand up, we will fight back and we'll fight back at the polls.' Both national Indigenous leaders commented on the importance of the incoming government working with Indigenous peoples to face the threats and actions of the Trump administration. 'We've had several encouraging opportunities to sit down alongside First Nations leadership and Inuit leadership to really articulate our allyship together,' Pruden said. 'We've had some encouraging conversations with the current Liberal leadership and administration about how Indigenous people can and will play a pivotal role in terms of any Team Canada approach.' The AFN national chief said that Canada and its provinces have to remember that First Nations people have been standing up for Canada since before there was a Canada. 'They're bringing together the provinces and the federal government to talk about big national issues,' Woodhouse Nepinak said. 'It's so unacceptable when they're leaving out First Nations people, the first people of these lands and territories who have fought for generations in the War of 1812 and many other wars. We've always stepped up to help this beautiful country that we all call home. But we do have a treaty and inherent rights on these lands.' Polls will be open for 12 hours across Canada on April 28, starting with the first polls opening at 8:30 a.m. Atlantic time in the East and closing at 7:30 p.m. Pacific time in the West. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT's free newsletter.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Indigenous artists win big at Canada's 2025 Juno Awards
Miles MorrisseauICT Indigenous musical artists in Canada are being recognized at the highest levels, taking home some of the year's top prizes at the annual Juno Awards with outstanding music across multiple Snotty Nosed Rez Kids, Haisla Nation, led the way by taking home one of the night's biggest awards, Rap Album of the Year, for their release, 'Red Future.' SUPPORT INDIGENOUS JOURNALISM. The duo of Darren 'Young D' Metz and Quentin 'Yung Trybez' have been nominated three times in the past, but this was their first win and the first for an Indigenous artist in the category. They were also nominated this year in two other categories, for Rap Single of the Year for the song, 'BBE' and for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Band. 'I think I can speak for both of us, when I say that we really love rap music, we really love hip hop which is why this award means so much to us,' Yung Trybez said. 'We made this album to add voices to the Indigenous people in the future. We created a vision for ourselves and where we see ourselves in the future. And what Indigenous excellence truly looks like.'The highlight of the awards night presentation was the performance by the Kids with Tia Woods, Saddle Lake Cree Nation, who was also up for an to the It would seem the future is now because Indigenous artists were representing in numerous categories and 2025 Juno Awards — the Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Awards — were handed out Sunday, March 30, in Vancouver, British Columbia, with host Michael Bublé. Adult Alternative Album of the YearElisapie, 'Inuktitut'Elisapie, Inuk, won the award for Best Adult Alternative Album for her release, 'Inuktitut.' The album features covers of contemporary pop songs from a wide array of artists including Metallica, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Cyndi Lauper and more, all performed in the Inuktitut album is literally unlike anything you have ever heard, and also received a nomination in the highly coveted Album of the Year category.'This is so beautiful and so heavy,' Elisapie said after greeting the audience in her language. 'I am so proud to be an Inuk woman. I am so proud to be singing in my language. I would just like to say 'thank you' to all the artists who accepted and let me translate their songs that have meant so much to us.' Classical Composition of the YearDeantha Edmunds, 'Angmalukisaa'Another big win for Indigenous music that signals how Indigenous artists are creating and elevating in a variety of musical genres was Inuk soprano Deantha Edmunds, who took home the award for Classical Composition of the Year for 'Angmalukisaa.'Edmunds composed and performed the music in collaboration with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the YearBlack Bear Singers, 'New Comings'Black Bear Singers took home the award for Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year, for their latest, 'New Comings.' Also nominated in the category were Brianna Lizotte for 'Winston and I'; Cree Confederation for 'Travelling Home'; Northern Cree for 'REZilience'; and Young Spirit for 'Ostesihtowin/Brotherhood.' Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the YearSebastian Gaskin, 'Brown Man'The big prize for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year went to Sebastian Gaskin for his release, 'Brown Man.' The other nominees include Adrian Sutherland for 'Precious Diamonds,' Tia Wood for 'Pretty Red Bird,' Celeigh Cardinal for 'Boundless Possibiities,' and the Snotty Nose Rez Kids for 'Red Future.' Other nomineesIndigenous artists and groups were nominated in a variety of other categories, as well, including Blues, Adult Contemporary and Children's Album.*Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble): Luminous Voices, a Calgary-based chamber choir, was nominated for 'Ispiciwin,' a project by Cree Composer Andrew Balfour. Ispiciwin means 'journey' in Cree. Additional artists in the project include Walter Macdonald White Bear of Moose Factory Cree Nation, who performs the Native American courting flute, and Jessica McMann, Cowessis First Nation, on bass flute. The winner in the category was the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.*Blues Album of the Year: Blue Moon Marquee received a nomination for Blues Album of the Year for their release,'New Orleans Session.' The band led by A.W. Cardinal, Métis-Cree, took home the award last year for their album, 'Scream, Holler and Howl.' The winner was Big Dave McLean for 'This Old Life.'*Children's Album of the Year: Kym Gouchie, Lheidli T'enneh Nation, was nominated for Children's Album of the Year for 'Shun Beh Nats'ujeh: We Are Healing Through Songs.' The winner was Raffi and The Good Lovelies for 'Penny Penguin.'*Adult Contemporary Album of the Year: Celeigh Cardinal, Cree, was nominated for 'Boundless Possibilities.' The winner was Maia Davies for 'Lovers' Gothic.'*Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year: Elenee, Metis Nation–Saskatchewan/Greek was nominated for her self-titled release, 'Elenee.' The winner was Ryan Ofei, 'Restore.'*Contemporary Roots Album of the Year: Julian Taylor, West India/Mohawk, was nominated for his album, 'Pathways.' The winner was Kaia Kater, 'Strange Medicine.'*Alternative Album of the Year: Ruby Waters, Slovak/Métis, was nominated for her release, 'What's the Point?' The winner was Nemahsis for 'Verbathim.' Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT's free newsletter. ICT, formerly Indian Country Today, is a nonprofit news organization that covers the Indigenous world with a daily digital platform and news broadcast with international viewership.
