Does Indigenous Involvement Matter? Indigenous Political Participation and Representation in Canadian Electoral Institutions - Assessing the Forty Second Federal Election and Parliament

Abstract

This doctoral thesis seeks to consider whether or not Indigenous participation in Canadian federal electoral politics matters and whether such participation can effect change. In order to answer this question, this doctoral thesis will first analyse the complex relationship between Indigenous peoples, and their respective nations, and the Canadian state. In doing so, the traditional western understanding of citizenship and civic duty do not fit into the Indigenous psyche when looking at said participation – especially when considering concepts such as reconciliation. Additionally, the question of whether or not change and reconciliation can be achieved by casting ballots in high numbers will be examined through a specific focus on the 2015 Canadian federal election and the first term of the Justin Trudeau-led government. Furthermore, in discussing and assessing Indigenous participation during the Trudeau government’s first term, the use of interviews with Indigenous peoples who were active participants will be included as their responses assist with offering understanding from first-hand accounts of involvement at a time that reconciliation was promised and promoted not only within platforms but also while campaigning. Despite the promises made, and the initial hope of many of those who participated, this doctoral thesis will conclude that the form of reconciliation that is actually in practice comes specifically from Indigenous participants as they seek to reconcile with Canada’s top-down approach and the slow pace of progress that Canada practices.