John Lagimodiere, Publisher of Eagle Feather News. Photo courtesy of eaglefeathernews.com
Saskatchewan’s Metis will be charting their political course for the next four years in a long-anticipated and much delayed general election this weekend.
In all, there are 47 candidates in the running, 21 for executive positions and 26 for regional representatives.
The publisher of Eagle Feather News has been following the race closely, and he predicts big change and a large voter turnout. John Lagimodiere’s newspaper has been providing the candidates with a platform to outline their campaigns and spell out why they should be elected. All of them were invited to provide written responses to a series of very basic questions. The results were published in the paper.
Lagimodiere says most candidates are expressing a desire to put the past behind them and to work together on behalf of all Saskatchewan Metis. He says that has been a common theme, and the type of message voters want to hear.
“People are still jaded, don’t get me wrong, and that’s going to impact a little bit,” he said. “But, because of the importance of this election, and the last three years in turmoil, for sure we are going to beat the last election.”
There are nine people in the running for president and seven for vice president. Lagimodierie says the most interesting race could be that for vice president, where Gerald Morin is seeking re-election.
“That is going to be one of the most interesting races there, around Gerald, because of the work they did or didn’t do in the last three years.”
In the last election in 2012, only about 3,000 people or about seven per cent voted. In this Saturday’s election, about 1,800 ballots have already been cast in advance polls.
There are an estimated 40,000 people eligible to vote in this Saturday’s Metis election. The voting age is 16.