This document provides information about registering and voting in Canada's upcoming federal election on October 19, 2015. It discusses the importance of First Nations people voting to elect leaders that recognize Indigenous rights. It outlines the identification requirements and options for voting, including ways to get the proper ID. It also provides information on how to register to vote online or by mail in advance of the election. Finally, it suggests ways for communities to help members register and encourage voter turnout on election day.

1. August 11, 2015
12:00 p.m.
Presented by:
Cllr. Jennifer Constant
of Mattagami First Nation
FIRST NATIONS ROCK THE VOTE
TIMMINS NATIVE FRIENDSHIP CENTRE

2. CANADA’S FEDERAL ELECTION TAKES PLACE
ON OCTOBER 19, 2015
•Are You
Ready?
• Find out if you
have the proper
I.D. required to
vote, and check to
see if you are
registered to vote.

4. WHY NOT VOTING IS NOT AN OPTION
• Many First Nations people did not
participate in the past election
• Arguing sovereignty did not bring
anyone to the table or change who
Canada chose as a leader
• The impacts of that leader has
contributed to detrimental impacts
to First Nations people (services,
funding, legislation directly
impacting First Nations)
• Until we truly have a Nation to
Nation relationship we have to use
every avenue we can to elect leaders
that recognize our Treaties and our
unique rights in our homelands

5. ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?
To vote, you must be registered. Use the online voter registration
service to:
• check if you're registered to vote
• update the address on your voter registration, or
• register to vote
Go to: www.elections.ca/register
You will need your drivers licence or provincial ID Card (Ontario
Photo Card)

6. SINGLE PIECE OF ID TO VOTE
Show one piece of government-issued ID
It must have your photo, name and current
address.
Examples:
• driver's licence
• provincial ID card (Ontario Photo Card)
If you don’t have a piece of ID that contains your photo,
name & current address, you will need two pieces of ID
(one with your name & one with your name and
address).

7. TWO PIECES OF ID TO VOTE
(ONE FROM EACH LIST)
Pieces with your name:
• health card
• Canadian passport
• birth certificate
• social insurance number card
• Indian status card
• old age security card
• label on a prescription container
• credit card or debit card
• student identity card
• driver's licence (may be used to prove your name if the
address is outdated)
• provincial or territorial ID card (may be used to prove
your name if the address is outdated)
Pieces with your name and address:
• utility bill (e.g. hydro; telecommunications services
including telephone, cable or satellite)
• bank statement or credit card statement
• personal cheque
• government cheque or cheque stub
• income tax assessment
• vehicle ownership (registration papers)
• insurance policy
• correspondence issued by a school, college or
university
• letter of confirmation of residence from a First
Nations band

8. UPDATE TO ID LIST
• Elections Canada recently added:
– Metis Card, Band Membership Card and cards issued by an Inuit-
Authority.
– As well – Elections Canada will accept expired I.D. as long as it has your
name and current address
• Complete I.D. List can be found at:
http://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=id&document=i
ndex&lang=e

9. LETTER OF CONFIRMATION OF RESIDENCE
FIRST NATION CHIEFS & COUNCILS: PLEASE SIGN FOR YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS
This letter is a piece of ID you can use to
prove your address (for both First Nation
& Non-First Nation residents)
Print the letter of confirmation of
residence form to complete it and sign it.
Elections Canada will also accept a letter
from the administrator that is printed on
the First Nation’s letterhead
When you go vote, bring the letter and a
second piece of ID with your name.
Can also be used by Directors of Shelters
or Soup Kitchens for homeless people
You can download the letter at:
http://www.elections.ca/vot/ids/EC50053_e.pdf

10. REGISTER TO VOTE BY MAIL!
PLEASE CONSIDER REGISTERING EARLY!
Fill out the form & mail or fax to Elections Canada.
• You must include a photocopy (not the original) of an
identification document. If some of the info is on the back
of the document, be sure to photocopy both sides.
• A suitable proof of identity is any current official
document showing your name, address and signature
(e.g. driver’s licence).
• If you do not have one document with this information, you
can send photocopies of two current official documents:
• • one showing your name and address (e.g. telephone bill
or Letter of Confirmation of Residence); and
• • one showing your name and signature (e.g. health card
or library card).
You can download the registration for at:
https://ereg.elections.ca/redirect.aspx?form=Form_12d_EC_32000

11. TAKE AN OATH
• You may use this option if you are unable to produce a single or
two pieces of ID from the required list.
• Show two pieces with your name, and have someone who knows
you attest to your address.
• This person must:
– Show proof of identity and address
– Be registered in the same polling division
– Only attest for one person

12. ORGANIZE IN YOUR COMMUNITY!
Once you are registered to vote, you can help
others:
• Host an ID CLINIC – invite community members
out to see if they have the required ID they need
to vote. This can be held at a community event
like a pow wow.
• Community Outreach – post information on
how to register to vote in your community
newsletter, Facebook page or website.
• Use your local radio station to share
information on what people need to register
and vote in the next federal election
• Ask your Chief & Council to sign Letters of
Confirmation of Residence

13. ON OCTOBER 19TH GET OUT THE VOTE
On election day, you can help get out the vote:
• Recruit volunteer drivers & arrange for rides to get
people to and from the ballot box
• Book time to speak at the local radio station to
encourage all to get out and vote, have people call
in if they need a ride, answer voter ID questions,
etc.
• Be ready with Letters of Confirmation of Residence
(must be signed the First Nation’s officials – Chiefs,
Councillors or Band Administrator)
• Go door-to-door and encourage all those 18 years
and older to go vote!

14. FIRST NATIONS IN NAN TERRITORY
• There are 49 First Nation
Communities within the NAN
Territory
• We have to encourage everyone to
get out and vote

18. CONTACT & SUPPORT
• The Timmins Native
Friendship Centre has
committed to providing
support in assisting people
register to vote
• For any Mattagami members:
– Cllr. Jennifer Constant at
the Mattagami
Administration Office

19. Chi-miigwetch