A group of 338 women, aged 18-23, from across the country, descended on the House of Commons last Wednesday.
Every two years, a young woman from each federal riding sits in their MP’s seat to address concerns that youth face in their community.
Organized by Equal Voice, Daughter of the Vote runs the four-day program and delegates take part in leadership and policy workshops, Indigenous forums and attend Question Period.
Daughters of the Vote’s goal is to ensure the equal representation of women in Canada’s Parliament, in provincial and territorial legislatures and on municipal and band councils.
That morning found more women in the House of Commons at one time than in the electoral history of Canada. Some women cradled their young children in their arms as they watched their fellow delegates address the leaders.
Kaitlin Bird occupied NPD MP Georgina Jolibois’ seat, whose riding is Desnethe – Missinippi – Churchill River. The 20-year-old from Montreal Lake Cree Nation was one of 30 women who had the opportunity to make a statement.
“I brought up how the Canadian Government has treated Indigenous youth,” says Bird. “I was an Indigenous youth, and when you grow up, you realize quickly the prejudice against you. I have nieces and nephews who are all young kids, and hopefully, they don’t have to face what other children across Canada have had to face.”
After her statement, which pointed out the estimated 3,000 youth that died while in residential schools, the entire house rose to its feet with an overwhelming standing ovation. She says that the support she received from fellow delegates was very surprising.
The women who attended the event each had a vast array of pressing concerns, but everyone seemed united.
“The support I got from other Indigenous people from around the country for even saying Colton Boushie’s name in the House of Commons was pretty empowering to a lot of Indigenous people around the country,” explains Bird about what she added in her statement. “I almost started crying after saying Tina Fontaine deserved to be here.”
Bird said it was interesting to hear other women bring up neglected concerns that are on the forefronts in their corner of the country.
Delegate Taqtu (Sabrina) Montague, who is a Nunavut Inuk woman, raised concerns about the suicide rates amongst Indigenous youth. Riley Yesno from Eabametoong First Nation in Ontario reminded the House that there are 1,181 missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Bird goes on to say that some women addressed agriculture issues and some talked about accessibility for people with physical and learning disabilities.
As Prime Minister Trudeau walked into the House, around 30 of the Indigenous delegates stood up and turned their back to him. The gesture was to express resentment to the government’s lack of support on Indigenous issues.
“Canada has always seemed to turn its back on Indigenous people unless it needs votes,” says Bird. “So, to finally have the chance to turn our backs, was very powerful.”
The women, with their backs to the leader, also wanted to show solidarity with Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott, the two former star cabinet members were ousted from the Liberal caucus earlier in the month.
Bird comes from a lineage of chiefs, as her father, grandfather and uncles have been in that role, but she was inspired to see and meet female politicians while in Ottawa.
“It (an inspiring moment) was meeting my MP Georgina Jolibois, meeting her was interesting. Seeing an Indigenous woman as an MP was very inspiring. I got to meet Jody Wilson and Jane Philpott. I got to meet all of these amazing women.”
Between politics coming naturally to her and being inspired during the Daughter of the Vote event in Ottawa, Bird hopes for a career in politics.
She is currently attending the University of Saskatchewan for political studies and hopes to attend law school after that. The Woodland Cree woman is also the Indigenous representative for the student council.
The inaugural Daughters of the Vote, Equal Voice received over 200 applications from First Nations, Inuit and Métis women from across Canada.
(PHOTO: Jane Philpott, Kaitlin Bird and NDP MP Georgina Jolibois in Ottawa for the Daughters of the Vote event on April 3. Photo courtesy of Kaitlin Bird, Facebook.)