Current IPAC/CAP National Chief Dwight Dorey. File photo.
An upcoming election for a national Indigenous advocacy has one candidate hoping for change.
The Indigenous Peoples Association of Canada, formerly the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, is holding an election on September 30th.
The organization is an advocacy group that represents the interests of status and non-status Indigenous people living off-reserve, as well as Metis.
The election will be taking place during the organization’s 45th Annual General Assembly in Gatineau, Quebec.
A position of national chief as well as vice chief will be up for grabs in the election.
Saskatchewan’s Kim Beaudin is running for vice chief, he is also the president of the affiliated Aboriginal Affairs Coalition of Saskatchewan.
“This will be an important election following up on the Daniels decision in the Supreme Court of Canada,” said Beaudin. “No mechanisms have been put in place to address that decision, so I’m hoping with a fresh new mandate we can start negotiating for Metis people in this country.”
He says building a relationship with the federal government is the first step in this process.
“(The government) say they are open to Indigenous people and issues, but it is time the rubber hits the road so to speak and that’s what I am hoping for,” said the AACS President.
Beaudin also says CAP/IPAC was once an effective organization, but he feels in recent years the organization has declined and been left out of important discussions.
“It’s really important for us to get back to the table and get back to the organization we have always been and that is a strong advocate group for Indigenous people across Canada.”
Two people are running for position as the organization’s chief, while four are vying for vice chief.
National Chief Candidates
Robert Bertrand
Dwight Dorey
National Vice Chief Candidates
Kirk Arsenault
Kim Beaudin
Ernie Blais
Jenna Burke