Tsuut'ina Nation hosts first all-candidates debate

For the first time ever, theTsuut'ina Nationplayed host to a federal all-candidates meeting on Friday morning, with four of the six candidates in the riding showing up.

• Confederate flag-clad man 'against the niqab' charged with uttering threats at Calgary debate
• Advance polling stations see lineups across Alberta

Kevin Littlelight, who speaks for the nation, saidthe environment and justice are key issues at the reserve.But he saidan even bigger concern is the need for a public inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women.

"It's huge," he said. "You know that a lot of law enforcement don't take us serious enough to investigate, and that's what we're going to change in the future."

Although aboriginal people have traditionally been reluctant to vote in federal elections, Littlelight saidthere seems to be more interest this time around.

"One of the major issues is the election itself and getting aboriginals to vote," he said.

That's why a concerned group from Tsuut'inaorganized the debate, which wasattended by about two dozen people.

More engagement

Green Party candidate Romy Tittel saidshe's noticed more First Nations people engaging in this election.

"I fully understand and respect why they haven't voted in federal elections before,because they don't want to validate it in that act," she said. "But in this year, it's the most important thing for the First Nations to get out and vote."

The candidates at the debate wereLiberal Tanya MacPherson, New Democrat Alison Thompson,Marc Slingerland of the Christian Heritage PartyandTittel.

Conservative John Barlow sent word that he had to attend a funeral.

Cory Morgan of the Libertarian Party also missed the forum.