In this huge Quebec riding, Indigenous voters have lots of power — and specific concerns

In Edith Cloutier's 35 years at the Val d'Or Native Friendship Centre, she's seen thousands of clients cycle through her doors and handfuls of federal politicians come and go.

But the problems impacting urban Indigenous people — the cost of living, affordability and homelessness — have intensified in areas surrounding Val d'Or, Que., located over 500 kilometres northwest of Montreal.

With mere days until the federal election on April 28, Cloutier, the centre's executive director, is among those looking for a candidate who can help respond to the needs of urban Indigenous people in Quebec's largest riding.

The Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou riding spans thousands of kilometres from areas in northwestern Quebec all the way up to Nunavik, with a large population of potential Indigenous voters.

The economy and Canada's response to U.S. tariffs have dominated the electoral campaign, but Cloutier is looking for a candidate to treat local issues with equal importance.

"Reconciliation has been set aside because of those more global political concerns," she said.

"I'm worried that aspect would be set aside with any government that would be put in place."

She says urban Indigenous issues as a whole have not been addressed.

That's part of what inspired Mandy Gull-Masty to run for office. Feeling frustrated by the lack of representation in the region, she resigned from her role as grand chief of the Cree Nation Government in Quebec to run as the Liberal candidate.

"This is a unique riding," said Gull-Masty, who speaks Cree, English and French.

"The challenge is that this is a huge riding. You have to be present everywhere."

Another challenge is trying to increase voter turnout.

In the 2021 federal election, out of over 38,000 registered electors in Indigenous communities in Quebec, less than 9,000 cast a vote, according to Elections Canada.

That 23 per cent voter turnout rate lagged behind the average national rate for electors in Indigenous communities, which sat at 44 per cent.