IIndigenous Vote Sask. is a provincial, non-partisan effort to mobilize the First Nations and Metis vote in Saskatchewan. This grassroots, volunteer-based initiative provides a framework for community organizing with the intent to build a volunteer base to be able to provide support to address the exceptional voting barriers we face as Indigenous peoples.
We hope to assist in areas of access in regards to identification, registration and creating opportunities for education. Our strategy leading up to Federal Elections 2015 involves engaging with supportive Indigenous leadership and indigenous communities to provide train-the-trainer sessions and voter registration clinics when possible. As a non-partisan body we would also hope to encourage communities to attend or host Candidates Forums in their voting districts. The benefit of having non-partisan bodies assist with setting up the candidate’s forum ensures that it becomes an avenue to foster education of all parties where communities might otherwise be divided.
As with all grassroots initiatives the work we are able to do is dependent on how many volunteers we have to accomplish the work. If you are interested in assisting getting out the vote in one of the longest federal election campaigns since 1872, please contact Indigenous Vote Sask via email or Facebook. For First Nation and Metis leaders and communities needing assistance with rural community registration clinics or train the trainer sessions please contact us at indigneousvotesask@gmail.com or on Facebook at Indigenous Vote Sask 2015.
Guiding Principles
We believe it is important to encourage the Indigenous vote.
We believe and acknowledge that access to voting presents exceptional challenges for Indigenous peoples, we will work hard to reduce these barriers.
We believe in providing a platform to encourage Indigenous candidates to be elected as Members of Parliament.
Our Goals
Voter Registration: Create Indigenous vote hubs in four (4) key large urban centers to support voter registration at community events, local housing campaigns, First Nation community and voting districts.
Voter Education: Provide information so that Indigenous voters can make an informed decision on the candidate that we will endorse. We will also encourage a strong community outreach to get out the Indigenous vote.
Indigenous Mobilization: Build a bloc vote based on a democratic process where the community decides through online and table surveys to endorse a candidate for each urban district and First Nation or Metis community.
Our Action Items
Voter Registration: Help get Indigenous voters registered, educated and informed of upcoming elections
Community Outreach: Train communities and volunteers on the Indigenous Vote 2015 with on ground voter registration, general information and political strategy information for candidate endorsement survey
Online & Hand Bill Survey: Develop accountable and transparent voting bloc Campaign to “Endorse the Candidate” who support Indigenous issues
Candidate Forum-Indigenous Candidate Information by Electoral District: Coordinate a candidates forum for the political candidates to explain their Indigenous political agenda
Volunteer to GOTV on Election Day: Remind voters to vote and arrange transportation for voters.