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September 18, 2008 AFN National Chief Launches “Vote ’08, Change Can’t Wait!” CampaignThe October 14 election allows the voices of over 800,000 First Nation citizens across Canada to be heard given the slim margin of victory in over 50 ridings in the last general election. To that end, the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine has launched “Vote ’08, Change Can’t Wait!”, a First Nations political participation and public awareness campaign to encourage voting among First Nations voters and to increase the profile of Aboriginal issues in this election. This initiative is also aimed at soliciting a clear and robust Aboriginal platform from each political party. “The June 11, 2008 Apology to the survivors of the residential school experience was fundamentally about reconciliation,” the National Chief said. He added, “It is time that each party advances a clear vision of what reconciliation means to them if they were to form the next Canadian government”. This election allows each party to place people above politics. For our people, the time is now for all parties to step up and advance an effective and meaningful platform aimed at change. This means alleviating First Nations poverty and improving the quality of the lives and life chances of First Nations children and for all First Nation citizens.” The National Chief stated that “we are a First People, not an invisible people and each political party must address the core issues which affect us if they truly intend to fulfill the promise and spirit of reconciliation afforded by the June 11 Apology”. To that effect, the National Chief has compiled and delivered a comprehensive questionnaire to all federal party leaders focused specifically on the issues and concerns important to First Nations in Canada. “We are asking all parties to take the next step and focus on reconciliation, quality of life issues for First Nations, and the quality of the relationship between the Canadian government and First Nation governments. We are also calling on all five parties and the television network consortium in charge of the National Leaders’ Debates to support inclusion of a segment on Aboriginal issues so leaders can speak directly to First Nations and to all Canadians,” the National Chief stated. In addition, on September 29 the Assembly of First Nations is calling for a National Day of Political Action in First Nation communities across the country. On this day all First Nation communities are encouraged to participate in a variety of political activities such as engaging with their citizens and local candidates, host community meetings and town halls, discuss platforms with each other, and other political events so that First Nation citizens can make an informed choice on October 14.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national political organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
Contacts: Joan McEwen, Director of Communications Gina Cosentino, Government Relations, National Chief Office |
