First Nations people in Canada weren’t allowed to vote in provincial and federal elections until 1960, a little over 60 years ago. While many now exercise that right, others choose not to take part in what they consider colonial systems.
Andrea Landry is an instructor at First Nations University of Canada, freelance writer, life skills coach and mother to two daughters. She is Anishinaabe from Pawgwasheeng (Pays Plat First Nation) in Ontario, but currently resides on Treaty 6 territory in Poundmaker Cree Nation.
Landry wrote an article for This Magazine in 2019 entitled “Why I don’t vote in colonial politics.” She said she maintains that position today.
“I know a lot of Indigenous peoples have a similar stance, in that we are of our own sovereign nations and it really doesn’t make any sense to vote in provincial or national elections,” Landry said.
“The colonial state of Canada and even the province of Saskatchewan has really placed …