Why I Vote: Kenneth T. Williams
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As part of our coverage of the 2015 Federal Election, we are asking Indigenous people in this province to tell us “Why I Vote.” These are the unedited words from our interviewees. You can find more in our
Interviews section
.
Kenneth T. Williams,
50,
Sessional professor at the University of Saskatchewan Drama
Department and playwright
Did you vote in the last federal
election?
Yes.
Will you be voting in this
election?
Yes, and I voted at an advance
poll for the first time in my life.
What is
the most important issue to you this election?
For me
all issues are somehow connected to Indigenous peoples, whether it’s the
economy and foreign policy, so it’s almost impossible for me to pick one issue.
The big issues for me are Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, the constant
litigation against our rights, clean water for our communities and housing on
reserves.
Why is it important for Indigenous people to vote?
Voting is
just one part of the democratic process. I’ve marched in protests and
demonstrations, and having the right to do so is essential to a healthy
democracy. But they also take up a lot of time and energy. I just read that
it’s the 10th anniversary of the Sisters in Spirit vigils. Ten years! During
those 10 years, a mostly conservative government dismissed the issue over and
over again. We have a chance to elect a government, or MPs, who will fight for
our issues because they believe them to be vital to the health of our country.
I would rather elect someone whose full time job is fighting for my issues than
having to stand in the snow and rain to constantly remind a heartless
government that Indigenous people are human beings like them. Our time is
precious. Ottawa is where change happens, so I want to ensure that I’m sending
someone to do it. Otherwise, we are back on the streets, on the blockades,
fighting against interests who have their people in Ottawa watching their backs.
See also:
