Candidates are asked ‘what have you done to assist First Nations?’

October 15, 2015

Candidates discuss Anishinabek issues at Nbisiing Secondary School on Oct. 5. NDP candidate Kathleen Jodouin, Liberal candidate Anthony Rota, Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee, Green candidate Nicole Peletier, Deputy Grand Council Chief Glen Hare and moderator for the event, Maurice Switzer.

By Joey Krackle

NIPISSING FIRST NATION – At the Oct. 5 federal candidates discussion held at Nbisiing Secondary School, moderator Maurice Switzer asked the candidates to state what they did to assist First Nations in the past. In attendance were Green Party’s Nicole Peletier, NDP’s Kathleen Jodouin and Liberal candidate Anthony Rota.

Jodouin said that she has held stated that she held many front-line positions in the social service field during the last ten years and worked hard in promoting social and community development for First Nations.

“I am committed to finding solutions to issues facing First Nation citizens,” said Jodouin. “I have worked in the area of addictions, to support the reduction of harm,and mood disorder issues. I have addressed domestic violence together with the Union of Ontario Indians, and chaired the domestic violence committee.” Joudoin also advocated strongly for an inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women.

Peletier joked that she couldn’t top that. She stated that she mentored her daughter in the Anishinabek culture and “remained engaged in social First Nation issues”.

Rota, stated that as a former Member of Parliament, he had worked with Nipissing First Nation Chief and Council in a state of respect – discussing issues directly.

“As MP I held a Community Summit every two years and invited First Nation chiefs to participate as equal community partners,” said Rota. He is working with the President of Nipissing University to set up an Aboriginal Studies Centre.

Rota stressed that “every child in Canada should have the same chance to enjoy to participate as an equal partner. The last thing I want to see is discrimination”. He pointed out that he was involved in the project to involve First Nation citizens in the Victor mine in Attawapiskat and he discovered that companies placed “glass ceilings in the path of First Nation advancement”.

“We need to end glass ceilings,” said Rota. “Glass ceilings should be part of the negotiations so that First Nations would know that facts when discussions are held.”