The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) held an Open Forum for First Nations and the 2015 Federal Election at the River Cree Hotel and Casino on the Enoch Cree Nation. First Nation leaders and citizens gathered to discuss first nations issues,priorities, to ask questions and listen to the Indigenous platforms from the parties in attendance. New Democratic Party Leader Tom Mulcair and representatives from the Liberal Party of Canada and the Green Party spoke and answered questions. “First Nations priorities are Canada’s priorities and must be addressed in this federal election campaign,” said AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde . “We are holding this Forum to pressure all parties to set out their vision and their commitments to First Nations and to engage with us in real dialogue. We are telling every party leader and every MP now and in the future that they must listen to our voices and work with us to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations people and Canadians because our people matter, our priorities matter and our votes matter. The human and economic costs to maintaining the gap that exists between our peoples and the rest of Canada are detrimental to all of us. Investments must be made now. When First Nations win, we all win.” National Chief Bellegarde and members of the AFN Executive Committee, First Nations Leaders, Elders, women and youth representatives were ready to listen to the candidates and ask informed questions. Topics of discussion included specifics on identification requirements for voting and maintaining momentum to address priorities leading up to and after the election October 19, 2015.
