https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thehouse/nation-building-in-the-north-1.5234347

Liberals’ attempt at reconciliation not enough, says First Nations candidate

ustin Trudeau’s Liberal government has “done the best they could,” but it’s not enough to win over a Northern Ontario First Nations leader who this week announced his intention to run for the NDP.

Chief Rudy Turtle of the Grassy Narrows First Nation declared his candidacy on Monday on the front lawn of Parliament Hill alongside NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who joined him for campaign-style events in his Kenora riding a few days later. The seat is currently held by Liberal Bob Nault.

Turtle’s community, located about 100 kilometres northeast of Kenora, continues to grapple with mercury contamination. For half a century after the former owners of a mill in Dryden dumped 10 tonnes of mercury into the river system, the people of Grassy Narrows have suffered the effects of mercury poisoning.

When Trudeau swept to power in 2015, Turtle believed his community’s concerns would finally be dealt with. But there is still no agreement with Ottawa to deal with long-term health needs of the community and no on-reserve health centre dedicated to dealing with the effects of mercury poisoning.

Turtle told The House he chose the NDP because of his frustration with the Liberals.

“They’ve done the best they could, but things just need to be done faster, better, and I think the money some First Nations are requesting should be honoured because they know what’s best for their own communities,” he said.

“They’ve tried, but it’s not good enough.”

Turtle says he is looking forward to knocking on doors and meeting voters in the coming months in what he already knows will be a gruelling campaign.

“I’ve been told what to expect, I’ve been told that it’s going to be hard work and long hours, but I’m ready for it,” he said.

Politicians aren’t the only ones focused on getting more Indigenous voters out to the polls.

A group called Winnipeg Indigenous Rock the Vote has been leading these efforts on municipal, provincial and federal campaigns since 2014.

Three ingredients are key to the group’s success, according to organizer Lisa Forbes.

It begins with a groundswell of interest among voters, which is often boosted when there is an Indigenous candidate on the ballot.

But most importantly, she told The House, is being non-partisan.

“(People) don’t want to be told who to vote for,” she said.

“They like information. They like to be welcomed and told that what they have to say is important, their participation is important.”

Forbes said Winnipeg Indigenous Rock the Vote will shift its attention to the federal election once Manitobans have voted in the Sept. 10 provincial election.