In northern Quebec, federal candidates are courting the Indigenous vote
CBC
The northern Quebec riding of Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou is not only the largest geographic riding in Quebec — it is also often in the bottom five in the country in terms of voter participation.
In the 2019 federal election, voter turnout was just 49.8 per cent compared to 67.3 per cent for Quebec as a whole.
In a riding where more than 30 percent of the voters are Indigenous, several candidates are working hard in the hopes of convincing more of them to vote.
The Assembly of First Nations has identified Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou as one of 24 ridings across the country, where First Nation voters can decide who wins.
And, for one of the first times, there are two Indigenous candidates running and hoping to make a difference.
Lise Kistabish, of Pikogan, is running for the Liberal Party, and Pauline Lameboy, of Chisasibi, is running for the New Democratic Party.
"There's no representation for Indigenous issues," said Lameboy, who works as the wellness coordinator for the Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association and has also served as a councillor at the local level.