Young First Nation advocates in northwestern Ontario call out candidates' silence on Indigenous issues

With tariffs and the trade war between Canada and the U.S. dominating much of the federal election, First Nation advocates in northwestern Ontario are questioning why they haven't heard much from the candidates on Indigenous issues.

For 18-year-old Siigwan McKay, who met former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Thunder Bay last year, she says the silence speaks volumes. She has been a strong advocate for youth mental health support in First Nations.

"We need legitimate reconciliation, like the building back of relationships. I haven't seen [any] leaders of the [parties] go into Indigenous communities and try to meet with the people there — to see how life is on the reserves," said McKay, who is a member of Bearskin Lake First Nation.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Kris Moore, a member of Fort Severn First Nation, said "I haven't been hearing a single thing," when it comes to Indigenous issues on the campaign trail.

The 2021 census indicates there are at least 55,000 Indigenous people in northwestern Ontario. However, community leaders say these numbers may be much greater, due to how many people choose not to self-report as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.

While McKay and Moore told CBC's Superior Morning they want to see a greater focus on Indigenous issues leading up to the April 28 vote, they also say it's important to improve opportunities for political engagement within First Nations.

As a first-time voter, McKay said she has a number of concerns this election, including Indigenous sovereignty and future development in the north — particularly around the Ring of Fire mineral deposit in the James Bay lowlands.

While Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said he would create a rapid resource project office to streamline project applications if elected, McKay said she's concerned about what this means for consultation with First Nations.

"It's colonization because you're establishing control and taking away the power of the people who have lived there for so long, since time immemorial, completely disrespecting Indigenous sovereignty and violating the fundamental principle of free and informed consent," she said.

Moore, who brings lived experience as a former youth in care to her advocacy work in child and family services, says development is also a key area of concern for her.

She also wants to see the next federal government offer more support for youth as they age out of care, she said.

"That's actually a new and strange and dangerous time to be an Indigenous person, when you're alone in the cities typically, and you typically don't have any family," Moore said.

"There has been a lot of changes in policies and reform and training I'm seeing so far, so I think we're on the right track."

She did express concerns about news that Liberal leader Mark Carney's former firm, Brookfield, has been accused of breaching Indigenous rights in four countries.