The Chief of the Assembly of First Nations is urging members to be active in the upcoming federal election.
Speaking to Chiefs at the AFN’s general assembly in Montreal, Perry Bellegarde says aboriginal people have the ability to make a real difference to determine who leads Canada this fall.
He says there are 51 ridings where First Nations can have a direct influence.
Bellegarde says he’s already lobbying the federal leaders on several issues including removing a 2% cap on federal funding and creating a new fiscal arrangement.
He’s also calling the next Prime Minister to sit down with them annually at AFN Assembly meetings.
Bellegarde says now is the time to stand up and make changes.
He says it all starts by ensuring First Nations people have the proper identification to cast a ballot.
