I would like to start by introducing myself, I am Indigenous, that is how I identify. My Father is Anishinaabe Odawa and a Member of Sheshegwaning First Nation. My Mother was a Citizen of the Metis Nation of Ontario before she passed in 2020. All statements are my own opinion.

I recently became aware of the Elections taking place this summer on Saugeen First Nation. I understand that there are several candidates for Chief. I was taken by surprise when I was told that Suzanne Coles was nominated as a candidate for Chief.

Suzanne Coles was recently in the last Provincial Election as a Candidate for the Ontario Party in Grey County. She was also in the news for having attended the Anti-Vax Rallies at City Hall in Owen Sound.

Now just to be clear I do not know Suzanne Coles but in none of my inquiries have I found any mention that she identifies as Indigenous. If she does identify as such then I would be curious to know more about that as we have all heard of the “pretendians” out there.

What I was most curious about though was how is it that she came to be nominated for candidate in the Saugeen election. I could only surmise that it might have to do with her take on the Vaccine Mandates and the support she had from a few members. But what really had me curious is why would she choose to accept the nomination. This seemed to me to be an outrageously absurd stand to take for a non-indigenous woman. I am wondering if she is aware of the privilege she walks with. Does she think because she is able to run due to the Indian Act not requiring a nominated person to have status only that the nominator be eligible to vote in the election. It is not new news that the Indian Act needs to be reformed, but that is another discussion.

I am just surprised that today a non-Indigenous woman could speak, lead, act on behalf of a First Nation Band. She has never walked in their moccasins.

I was on the Great Lakes Metis Council several years ago but in order to be elected or even run in the election, I needed to be “verified.” This meant I needed to have Indigenous Metis Status.

In my opinion, only an Indigenous person should speak for us. It is not your place regardless of the law. True “reconciliation” allows us to have our voices heard by us.

Theresa O'Connor

image from Facebook