One critical issue facing Indigenous communities in this federal election is the defense of long-held rights, particularly the rights enshrined in the 1794 Jay Treaty. This treaty, which allows many Indigenous peoples to travel and work across the Canada-U.S. border, is a vital tool for those living near or across the border. The Jay Treaty has historically recognized the right of Indigenous peoples to move freely across the U.S.-Canada border without hindrance. Some First Nations members, with a letter from their Chief and Council, have even enrolled in the U.S. military to serve in the Army or Marines, a right that has been respected by successive governments—until potentially now.
Historically, Indigenous peoples lived across what is now the U.S.-Canada border for centuries, long before it was drawn. Their territories often spanned both sides of the border, and their cultural and familial ties transcended these artificial divisions. The Jay Treaty, signed in 1794 between the U.S. and Great Britain (the crown & which controlled Canada at the time), ensured that Indigenous peoples could maintain these cross-border ties. This provision, however, is now at risk as political leadership on both sides of the border changes, raising concerns among communities about the future of their mobility and rights.
As political leaders navigate this election, border mobility has become a key concern, especially with the potential for policy shifts under new leadership. Indigenous families living on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border, such as those in Akwesasne, fear that the stability of the Jay Treaty could be jeopardized, potentially severing long-standing familial and cultural connections.
Michele Bourque, a retired public servant from Aamjiwnaang First Nation, shared in a recent interview with CBC that she worries about the growing difficulty of crossing the border. "I worry about people going back and forth," Bourque said, noting that fear of being searched has led many community members to stop crossing entirely. Gabriel Pangowish, the general manager at Odawa Native Friendship Centre, echoed this concern, emphasizing that before colonization, the territories now divided by a border were once unified, and Indigenous peoples moved freely across them.
Beyond border issues, economic concerns are also top of mind for Ottawa's Indigenous population. Anita Armstrong, Odawa's executive director, pointed to the increased demand at their food bank, which now serves 90 families, a stark rise from just two years ago. "It affects everybody," she said, highlighting the urgent need for a government that prioritizes the well-being of Indigenous communities.
The Assembly of First Nations has outlined key priorities for this election, including economic reconciliation, Canada-U.S. trade, and securing the rights protected by the Jay Treaty. With ongoing challenges to border mobility, the question remains: which political party is best suited to defend these rights and ensure that the needs of Indigenous communities are met?
For Indigenous voters, this election is an opportunity to ensure that their voices are heard, their rights are upheld, and their concerns—ranging from border mobility to economic stability—are addressed. It is essential that Indigenous communities remain visible in the political discourse, demanding a government that will honor and protect their rights for generations to come.
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