Muhammad Amanullah
Date: October 5, 2026 The True Post (Web News) —Some First Nations communities in the Canadian province of Quebec do not participate in provincial or federal elections. The Mohawk community of Kahnawake is among the areas where participation in the electoral process is extremely low.
According to local leader Diabo, the community has its own traditional system of governance and believes in maintaining its political and administrative traditions rather than becoming part of a colonial-style system of government.
Two Row Wampum Treaty
Diabo bases this position on the centuries-old Two Row Wampum treaty, which was established in 1613 between the Haudenosaunee and Dutch representatives.
The treaty’s symbolism depicts two nations travelling alongside one another while maintaining their own laws, traditions and systems of government.
According to Diabo, the concept means that both sides should move forward on their own paths without interfering in each other’s affairs.
He says this is why people in Kahnawake do not participate in elections, because they believe provincial and federal governments repeatedly interfere in their jurisdiction.
Voter Turnout
Electoral participation figures in Kahnawake also reflect this distinctive political approach.
According to estimates by Elections Quebec, voter turnout in Kahnawake was less than one percent in the 2022 Quebec provincial election.
Among the local communities in Quebec that were examined, overall voter turnout was approximately 15 percent, compared with around 66 percent across the province as a whole.
Interest Still Exists
Low electoral participation does not mean that First Nations communities have no interest in the provincial government or political decisions.
According to Francis Verreau-Paquet, head of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, Indigenous communities are concerned about who will form Quebec’s next government.
He said First Nations elect their own governments and leaders. Once their own people have elected their leaders, those leaders must negotiate and establish relations with the Quebec government.
Key Priorities
According to Verreau-Paquet, the key concerns of First Nations did not receive sufficient attention during the provincial election campaign.
These priorities include protecting Indigenous languages and cultures, ensuring First Nations involvement in major natural-resource projects, and obtaining the views of local communities on development projects that affect their traditional territories.
Historical Background
According to Indigenous law expert Nader André, there are also historical reasons behind First Nations’ distance from provincial politics.
He said First Nations in Quebec gained the right to vote relatively late and did not have a long tradition of participating in provincial elections until the late 1960s.
Another reason, according to him, is that many issues concerning First Nations have historically fallen under federal jurisdiction, while language can also create a barrier to participation in provincial politics.
Language Issue
More than 60 percent of Indigenous people in Quebec use English as either their first or second language.
Elections Quebec has also identified language as a potential barrier for some Indigenous voters.
In northern Quebec, Inuit, Cree and Naskapi communities receive electoral information in their Indigenous languages as well as French and English.
The electoral authority says the purpose is not to encourage or force people to vote, but to facilitate participation for those who wish to take part in the election.
Limited Representation
Indigenous representation in provincial politics is also limited.
Of more than 900 candidates in Quebec, only six candidates belong to First Nations, representing approximately 0.6 percent of all candidates.
Diabo says the presence of an Indigenous candidate in provincial politics does not necessarily mean that the interests of a particular First Nations community are being represented.
Example of Wab Kinew
Verreau-Paquet points to another aspect of Indigenous political participation by giving the example of Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, who is the first First Nations premier of a Canadian province.
According to him, Kinew’s election could serve as an inspiring example not only for First Nations communities in Quebec but also for people across the province.
Relationship With the Government
Despite Kahnawake staying away from elections, maintaining relations with the government formed in Quebec will remain essential for the province’s government.
According to Diabo, whichever government comes to power will have to engage with Kahnawake and other First Nations on issues involving their territories and rights.
He said Kahnawake will continue taking necessary steps for its community regardless of whether it participates in provincial elections.
According to him, staying away from the electoral process does not mean that the community is detached from the impact of decisions made by the provincial government.
The general attitude toward elections in Kahnawake can also be illustrated by what Diabo says he often observes: election materials delivered by mail are frequently seen in recycling bins outside the post office.
