Prof. Brittany Luby of U of G’s Department of History spoke with Global News about what’s needed to ensure more Indigenous people can vote in the upcoming federal election.

The article noted that Indigenous voter turnout spiked by 15 per cent in the 2015 election, with some First Nations communities running out of ballots.

Luby commented that in order to maintain that kind of turnout, there needs to be more of a focus on ensuring Indigenous people are not systemically excluded from voting.

She said the conversation needs to shift from one that assumes Indigenous voter apathy, to one that is focused on modifying the electoral process so that voting is as easy and accessible to First Nations as it is to Canadians generally.

Luby examines Indigenous issues through critical and creative work, including such topics as Indigenous education, health and wellness, and history of Indigenous people in Canada.