UMSU elections for executive and community representative positions are fast approaching, and Indigenous student leaders are calling on Indigenous students to get involved with campus politics.
Noah Wilson — former co-president of the U of M Indigenous Students’ Association and past Indigenous student representative for UMSU — said he believes it is important for Indigenous students to either vote or consider running in the election.
“There are no pan-Indigenous solutions to the distinct issues that face Indigenous peoples from all backgrounds and that is exactly why we need to see more Indigenous representation within UMSU and other student bodies,” said Wilson in a statement.
“It is important to remember that just attending a post-secondary institution like the University of Manitoba is an act of resilience when considering the legacy of the Indian Residential School system, the ’60s Scoop, Indian Day Schools and the current systemic over-representation of Indigenous youth in the child welfare system.”
Three slates ran in the 2019 UMSU election. The EXIST UMSU slate was comprised of all Indigenous and racialized members, including the author of this story. Annie Beach, a Cree and Saulteax woman, campaigned for president.
Beach said she decided to get involved with UMSU elections because she “knew about the history of UMSU and my own experiences feeling unsatisfied and unsupported as an individual student.”
“I made the final decision to run because of members of my team and my community who encouraged and supported me,” she said.
“I knew that we would all take care of each other and that we were in it together, and had a shared goal of making the school a better place for all students, specifically those who were unrepresented or unsupported.”
While Beach called her experience as a candidate in the election “life changing,” it did not go without challenges.
“EXIST team members had to deal with lateral violence, targeted complaints from other slates,” she said, adding she felt the team was “punished for supporting a first-year Indigenous candidate, called out for practicing ceremonial smudging in the shared Indigenous [students’] lounge space and had to bring awareness on issues like tokenism and racism.”
Although the process was not smooth, Beach encourages other Indigenous students to run.
She said that while students may encounter negative interactions and push back for being an Indigenous person, “remind yourself that taking up space and speaking up on behalf of students is historic and important work, and that no matter the outcome, you will inspire many students and you will grow as a result.”
Beach and the EXIST UMSU slate did not receive enough votes to take the UMSU elections, but all continue to be involved in student politics.
Qudus Abusaleh, current racialized commissioner for the Canadian Federation of Students in Manitoba, ran with the EXIST slate for the student life position.
Abusaleh, a former reporter with the Manitoban, said in a statement he is thankful for the experience.
“The skills, experiences and learning that is provided is something I will cherish long after my journey in post-secondary education is over.”
“Nominating yourself gives you a platform to start critical conversations you feel are missing in the campus community,” he said.
“Through EXIST, my team and I were able to encourage conversations about representation, inclusion and working towards a union that represents its students through its campaigns, advocacy and social events.”
Kirsten Fleury, female co-president of the Métis University Students’ Association, said including broad representation in student politics ensures more opinions are voiced.
“We believe it’s important for students to get involved in university politics to ensure their opinions are being properly represented,” she said.
“Student governments are supposed to be the voice of the community — which can only be done if the community makes their opinions heard.”
