Back to school. Harvesting. Thanksgiving feasts.
These are just some of the things we think of during the fall.
I would argue that above all else, we Manitobans are in election season. Is this something you are thinking of? If not, you should be.
The privileges we have are based on the rights we receive in a democratic society. The decisions politicians make affect your everyday life. From the education of your children and the future leaders of tomorrow, to your Indigenous harvesting rights, to the amount of money left in your pocket to buy groceries.
The time has come.
You have until October 21, 2019 to make your plan on how you will vote and how you will get out to the polls. Who you will vote for is important, but casting the ballot is the real accomplishment.
Politicians will cater to those who get out and vote in large numbers. We are at a critical time in history to make Indigenous voices heard.
When the Conservative Harper government was voted out and the Liberals were voted in, it was thanks in no small part to Indigenous people. Their influence was felt at the polls more than ever before.
We must continue this momentum. The truth is, we have made historic gains, and with important issues at the forefront such as Reconciliation, Health, Climate Change, Education and the reshaping of laws and policies we need to continue to be apart of this historic progress.
We cannot go back to the old days of being ignored. We must continue on our path of reconciliation. Listen to the party leaders. It’s a close race and very apparent that if they don’t mention us, they don’t care about us.
The election season is almost over. If you missed voting in the provincial election, don’t fret. The time is now. You have an opportunity to contribute in the upcoming federal election. Vote with intention. Vote to be heard. Take a friend. Take a family member.
Together the Indigenous Voice will be heard!
Remember if you don’t vote, you can’t complain.