Justin Trudeau and Perry Bellegarde after addressing AFN congress | Image source: theguardian.com
On October 19th 2015, Indigenous and Canadian voters stepped out in record numbers and elected new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a Liberal majority government, while unseating long-time, now former, Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Even former Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Bernard Valcourt was voted out of power. Voter turnout was up from 61% to 68%, with these numbers not including the voters who registered on Election Day. On multiple First Nations, they ran out of ballots and had to scramble to photocopy more. Indigenous and Canadian voters must now hold Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party accountable to their promises to renew and improve First Nations relations, education, health and rights.
MUSKRAT Magazine presents tweets trending across Turtle Island during election 42.
1. Congratulations to the record number of 10 Indigenous MP’s who got elected during election 42.
Record number of #Indigenous MPs elected last night. 10 total: 8 Liberal, 2 NDP. https://t.co/ewCDkZXbCn #Elxn42 #cdnpoli
— Connie Walker (@connie_walker) October 20, 2015
2. Thank-you to the 49 Indigenous candidates who ran!
Thank you to all Indigenous candidates who put forward their name to run for office, you've made a great contribution to our ppl and country
— Indigenous Politics (@IndigPoli) October 20, 2015
3. Longtime Conservative MP Leona Aglukkaq defeated by Liberal Hunter Tootoo in Nunavut riding.
Welcome to the #Indigenous #Liberal Caucus @HunterTootoo! Let's bring #RealChange to Ottawa! #Elxn42
— Indigenous Liberals (@APC_CPA) October 20, 2015
4. Ashley Callingbull, a big proponent in encouraging the Indigenous vote since she won Mrs. Universe.
I may have helped encourage the First Nations voters but you all did it on your own! You took the initiative to rock the indigenous vote! ??
— Ashley (@AshCallingbull) October 20, 2015
5. Six First Nations communities started to run out of ballots for voters during the election day.
Update: Ballots run out in 6 First Nation polling stations https://t.co/mKEXfWbBgU
— APTN National News (@APTNNews) October 20, 2015
6. Wab Kinew encouraging media to look into why so many First Nations communities ran out of ballots.
Media, please keep the pressure on @ElectionsCan_E to get answers on why so many First Nations communities ran out of ballots. Please RT
— Wab Kinew (@WabKinew) October 20, 2015
7. Perry Bellegarde congratulates Justin Trudeau as Canada’s new Prime Minister.
Congratulations, @liberal_party. I look forward to working with Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau to #CloseTheGap. #FNpoli #elxn42 #cdnpoli
— Perry Bellegarde (@perrybellegarde) October 20, 2015
8. Pam Palmater encourages Indigenous people to take action in their own hands.
No Canadian party is answer to First Nations future – only WE can preserve r identity, land & sovereignty – Nations to Nations to negotiate
— Pam Palmater (@Pam_Palmater) October 20, 2015
9. Justin Trudeau speaks of honoring nation-to-nation relationships and treaties with Indigenous people in his victory speech.
PM Elect Trudeau refers 2 nation-to-nation relationship with FN's and honouring treaties. How this is interpreted will be something to watch
— Russ Diabo (@RussDiabo) October 20, 2015
10. Indigenous people must hold the new Prime Minister accountable to election promises made to First Nations people.
Bye, bye Harper! #mmiw public inquiry, reinstatement of Kelowna accord, nation to nation, close the gap…promises must be kept! #trudeau
— Muskrat Magazine (@MUSKRATMAGAZINE) October 20, 2015
