Politics?

How have your political views changed over time?

As I look back, I see that my political views have definitely changed over time. My understanding of politics has grown and changed somewhat as the years have gone by, for a variety of reasons.

I grew up in a working class home in Scotland and my family was definitely for the Labour Party at that time. My Dad was a labourer and so he was staunchly supportive of the Labour Party. That’s why. I didn’t know too much about politics and trusted my Dad’s opinions. I didn’t give it much thought. We were who we were. Working class people.

I came to Canada in 1972 at age 23 and it took some time for me to relate to the new political scene and the apparent lack of the very obvious UK class consciouness. It was there, but not so “in your face”.

I eventually woud see that NDP was akin to the Labour Party so when I was able to vote, that would be my automatic choice. It was my background, my upbringing. I would look for the NDP rep.

Conservatives were the Tories of the UK, I thought. That was the rich man’s party. Not for me. I was still very class conscious. Though I was a teacher, I was still a working class young woman. That’s how my reasoning went.

Since I was only a landed immigrant initially after coming to Canada, I could not vote anyway. That was ok. I wasn’t totally familiar with the politics of the country. Maybe some day…..

Things changed, however, years later when I became a believer, a Christian, and I saw that NDP was supporting abortion. That was upsetting for me. Later on, they professed to other views I could not hold. I did not want to be part of that stance. I would not support it if and when I could vote.

I saw that a friend voted Conservative and wondered why, since he was not wealthy at all. I did not understand. However, I decided to explore the Conservative views. That research changed the direction of my political thought. I felt I might vote for a Conservative rep when I became able to vote.

I was in wonder at myself! Was I getting a bit “uppity”? Did I think more of myself than was true of me and my background? A working class girl?

However, I married a First Nations man in 1981 and the government immediately (overnight), unbeknownst initially to me, turned me into a full status Indian with all of the rights of a First Nations person, including the right to vote, which I did with my status card whenever I was sent a voter card, which was regularly. I was eligible for many other benefits as as a status Indian, with a few odd exceptions due to not being a “citizen”.

Talk about politics! I could be elected locally on reserve and be in government on the First Nations council, as a status Indian, and that all happened. I served two separate terms for my nation, but……I could not be in a position on the local school board without citizenship! Other First Nations people could be on the board, however.

I could work in certain areas of city elections as a First Nations person (a greeter?) but not in all positions without citizenship. This was very puzzling and frustrating.

I had wanted to work in elections. I had applied for and took a preparation course on how to be an electoral officer. At the end of the course there was paperwork to sign but it stated that you must be a citizen.

What? Again? I talked to an administrator who looked carefully into it all for me and she said no, I was not eligible due to non citizenship, even though I had fully accepted First Nations “citizenship” conferred by the government and also recognized citizenship through Treaty with my nation.

Now I REALLY wanted to apply for Canadian citizenship! Apparently, the first step was permanent residence status, so I went online to apply. The online form stated that I could not apply if I was a First Nations person. I had to have citizenship. What? Was a First Nations person still not a citizen? I gave up in disgust. The government had put me in an untenable position!

So, I decided to consult at the local immigration office. They were surprised, intrigued, as is everyone I talk to about this, but very helpful. I explained my story, the dilemmas I faced, and that I understood that I had to apply for permanent residence first, even though the forms I had tried online said First Nations people should not apply for permanent residence. What should, or could, I do now to get citizenship? They said they would help me, and they did. I was granted my permanent residence somehow.

That is how I became a permanent resident much later on in life. It was those certain things I could not do (read my citizenship story blog post) and I was actually 50 years resident in Canada before I finally became a citizen at age 73!

My views have been affected politically by all of these events since coming to Canada. I see things from several points of view: as a UK citizen, then as a First Nations citizen, and now as a Canadian citizen. Ultimately, however, my viewpoint is as a citizen of heaven, due to my faith. That gives me a completely different perspective!

I’ve seen, been affected by, and understood how First Nations people are treated by Federal and Provincial governments. Firsthand. I’ve worked through parts of the Treaty process of my nation as an elected councillor for my nation. I’ve been involved in, and affected by, the economics of my nation in council with budgets under DIA and now under treaty. It’s hard not to see what goes on. I can’t unsee it. Politics.

As far as I understand, my First Nations people have historically voted NDP. I’m not sure if that is still true for my nation as a whole, but when I vote personally, I look at things from many perspectives now, so yes, my political views have gone through MANY changes!

I have to decide now how I will vote in my first election as a recognized Canadian citizen!

Thank you for this blog prompt!