Indigenous services minister says reconciliation a common theme on the campaign trail

The riding of Thunder Bay-Superior North has close to 20 First Nations whose voters could help swing the results. “What I’m hearing increasingly from First Nations communities, not just in my riding, but across the country, is a desire to become more engaged in a political systems that are not First Nations’ political systems because they see the deep connections between getting their priorities achieved with a government that actually cares and understands about the importance of reconciliation,” says Patty Hajdu, the incumbent and current minister of Indigenous Services Canada. Thunder Bay-Superior North is one of 36 ridings across the country where the Indigenous vote can influence which candidate gets sent to Ottawa. New Democrat Joy Wakefield acknowledges the unique perspectives among Indigenous voters, while touting the party’s Indigenous candidates. “Some people take the perspective that this is a colonial system and they don’t want to participate, and I understand that,” she says. “And some people take the position that whatever power they have, they want to use to make sure that it doesn’t harm their people. “We’ve seen a lot of strong Indigenous representation coming from this party, Sol Mamakwa provincially, we see Tania Cameron running out in Kenora, Laura Mayer running down in Algoma.” Hajdu says there is still a lot of work to do in terms of mending relationships with First Nations – adding she will continue those efforts if re-elected. “One of the most fulfilling aspects of the work that I’ve done over the last nine-and-a-half years, including in the last three-and-a-half years as minister of Indigenous services is forming deep and real relationships with First Nations and Indigenous partners,” she says. “That, to me, is an essential ingredient in maintaining the strength of our democracy, is that people feel that those systems actually see them and are representing them.” Wakefield says she’ll keep pushing the government to ensure everyone has safe drinking water – and access to health care. “Health care and access, especially in a lot of the rural communities, is being able to access services, having them in a place that’s close enough to where they are, and making sure that their interests are heard in Ottawa.” Read More: Decision 2025 The Liberals have held the riding since 2015 when the Liberals were swept to power under the leadership of former prime minister Justin Trudeau. Former Thunder Bay police chief Bob Herman is running for the Conservatives. He didn’t reply to our request for an interview. Continue Reading