First Nations and Metis leaders in northern Alberta are raising alarm over last-minute changes to polling locations just days before the province votes in its October 19 referendum.
In a media notice for Friday, October 16, the leaders said advance and vote-day polling stations in Fort Chipewyan were abruptly changed, and they described a wider pattern of neglect and underfunding of voting opportunities for Indigenous communities in northern Alberta.
The leaders scheduled to speak include Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam, Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Melody Lepine, Fort Chipewyan Metis President Ruby Ladouceur and Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi. Their availability was set for 2 p.m. EDT on Friday.
The referendum will ask Albertans whether the province should remain part of Canada or begin a legal process that could lead to a future vote on separation. The leaders' intervention adds a voting-access dispute to an already charged final weekend of campaigning.
