Manitoba political parties court indigenous candidates ahead of election

At least 18 indigenous candidates will runbetween the Manitoba New Democratic,Liberal and Progressive Conservative partiesin the upcoming provincial election a numberup slightly from the 2011 election.

The NDP intend to field at least six indigenous candidates (up two from the last election), while the Liberals aim to run a minimum ofseven (up one from 2011) and the Tories are running at least five indigenous candidates.

On Tuesday, University of Winnipegassociate vice-president of indigenous affairsWabKinewthrew his hat in the ring for the NDP. Kinew, who is also a former CBC journalist,is running uncontested in the Fort Rouge constituency in Winnipeg.

A few days later Nahanni Fontaine,the Manitoba government special advisor on aboriginal women's issues, announced she, too, would be stepping up to the plate for the NDP. Fontaineis hoping to take over for Gord Mackintosh in the St. Johns constituency, following the justice minister's announcement last week that he would be pulling out of the race.

• Wab Kinew to run for NDP in Manitoba election
• Nahanni Fontaine seeks Manitoba NDP nomination in St. Johns

Kinew and Fontaine join Assiniboia candidateJoe McKellep, finance minister and Selkirk MLAGreg Dewar, The Pas representativeAmanda Lathlin and Kevin Chief, who is the currentjobs and economy minister and MLA for Point Douglas.

Chief is up againstindigenous candidate Althea Guiboche.Also known as the "BannockLady," Guibocheis running for the Liberals in Point Douglas.

Guiboche said she is hopeful havingmore indigenous voices at the table will make a difference.

"Get our people ahead a little bit, get Manitoba into honouring all their people everybody counts," she said.

Six other indigenous candidates arerunning for the Liberals across the province, includingJordan FleuryinRiding Mountain, Judy KlasseninKewatinook, Leslie Beck in Flin Flon,Noel BernierinSt. Johns, Stefan Jones in Selkirk and Tyler Duncan in The Pas.

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• 'Bannock Lady' Althea Guiboche to run for Liberals in Winnipeg

NiigaanSinclair,actinghead of thenative studies departmentat the University of Manitoba, said regardless of the party, having more indigenous candidates involved will influence public policy.

"It's not a slam-dunk voteyou still have to deliver the policies," Sinclair, who has shown support for Kinew and Guiboche, said Friday.

"Icertainly see it being advantageous [for any party]to appeal to indigenous voters, to include indigenous people."

Sinclair added that havingmore indigenous candidateswill put party leaders on alert to include indigenous issues in their platforms.

The Manitoba Progressive Conservatives say they will run at least five indigenous candidates, including:

• Bob Lagasse Dawson Trail.
• Sarah Langevin Elmwood.
• Alan Lagimodiere Selkirk.
• Belinda Squance Minto.
• Edna Nabess Keewatinook.

Manitoba's 41stprovincial election is scheduled for April 19.Candidates have until March 29 to filenomination papers.