About the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission

Oki, bonjour, hello Liberals!

I’m the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission Chair for Alberta and honoured to be writing to you today. Many Liberals ask me regularly what exactly it is that I do. Mainly, I educate within the Liberal Party on who the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission are, what we do, why we exist and I am happy to explain it to others new to our party.

“Commissions add vitality and diversity of the Liberal Party. Commission members are encouraged to influence the policies and practices of the Party in order to keep us moving forward.” You can learn more at: https://liberal.ca/commissions/

In 2015, the Liberal Party of Canada made history by electing the largest contingent of Indigenous Members of Parliament (MPs). The Liberal Party has elected the most First Nation, Métis and Inuit MPs throughout Canada’s history. However, it’s the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission’s belief and goal that we need to elect many more Indigenous MPs who provide a strong voice for Indigenous peoples within the Liberal Party and in federal Liberal governments.

We resolutely believe that Canada must have a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples, based on recognition, rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership.

It’s the right thing to do — and it’s a commitment shared by Justin Trudeau and the Liberal team. As the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission of the Liberal Party of Canada, we know that our party and this country can only fulfill that important work if Indigenous voices are heard and reflected in all decision making.

We are committed to supporting Indigenous Liberal candidates and helping them get a voice at the table. That is why all donations given through the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission website will now be directed to support Indigenous candidates through the Indigenous Electoral Endowment Fund.

Moving forward into the next federal election, we know that adding more Indigenous voices to our movement — and to Parliament — will help push important policy priorities forward, engage new ideas and perspectives, and inspire our next generation of leaders.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Commission represents and promotes the interests of Indigenous members of the Liberal Party and encourages the active and equitable participation of Indigenous people at all levels of the Party structure. We did achieve those goals in the last election by electing Vance Badawey (Métis) in Niagara Centre, Yvonne Jones (Inuk) in Labrador, Michael McLeod (Métis) in Northwest Territories, Dan Vandal (Métis) in Saint Boniface-Saint Vital, and Marc Serré in Nickel Belt. Jaime Battiste won in the Sydney-Victoria riding in Nova Scotia. Battiste, who is a member of the Eskasoni First Nation, is the first-ever Mi’kmaw MP. You can learn more about some of the Indigenous Liberal Caucus here:
https://ipc-cpa.liberal.ca/indigenousmps/ or liberal.ca

The Indigenous Liberal Caucus is a caucus of MPs who are First Nation, Métis and Inuit and have been elected from ridings across Canada and throughout Turtle Island. They have been elected from coastal, northern, remote and urban areas and represent a broad cross section of who Indigenous people are.

You can support The Indigenous Peoples’ Commission by getting your riding with an Indigenous person for the board in your area, reporting to the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission creating relationships in your community.

https://www.instagram.com/ipc_cpa/
https://www.facebook.com/IPC.CPA/
https://twitter.com/IPC_CPA

You can further support The Indigenous Peoples’ Commission by donating to Indigenous Electoral Endowment Fund: https://ipc-cpa.liberal.ca/

As Liberals, we ask potential candidates to consider running for the Liberal Party of Canada. Create those relationships with the local Indigenous in your area by creating a welcoming space for Indigenous, and other people of colour, by acknowledging the land, the Treaties in your area, your relationship within Canada, asking Indigenous to be on your board as the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission Chair, on the campaign teams in a leadership role, and to run for the Liberal Party of Canada. Tell them you intend to volunteer for them, endorse, vote, fundraise, and donate to their campaigns, if they do choose to run. Promote their voice within the party, in your community and nationally. I encourage you to follow, like, retweet, comment and donate to the Indigenous MP’s elected and our upcoming Indigenous candidates.

This past convention, the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission put forward some great policies. I want to thank all the delegates for ranking the policy on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit eleventh out of twenty-six.

Reach out to the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission for more information because we look forward to working with you.

Warm regards,

Michelle Robinson
Indigenous Peoples’ Commission in Alberta
Calgary Forest Lawn

I’m grateful to the Blackfoot — Kainai, Sikiska, Piikiani Nations, the Dene — Tsuutina Nation, and the Nakota -Wesley, Chiniki, Bearspaw Nations for their patience and guidance as we understand Treaty relationships. I acknowledge all First Nations, Metis, Inuit, status and non, as caretakers of Turtle Island