As Canadians re-elected the Liberal party for a fourth mandate on April 28 under new leader Mark Carney, a record number of Indigenous Members of Parliament (MPs) helped it overcome a surging Conservative party. While falling short of a majority government, it was a dramatic turnaround for the Liberals after trailing distantly in polls for over a year.
In Northern Quebec’s Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou riding, former Cree Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty unseated two-term Bloc Québécois MP Sylvie Bérubé, securing 41.2 percent of the vote. Bérubé finished with nearly 34 percent and Conservative candidate Steve Corriveau came third with 22.4 percent.
While Bérubé’s early lead had some publications prematurely declaring her victory, Gull-Masty had edged ahead by 1:30 a.m. as she watched screens with supporters at a Chibougamau microbrewery. Despite major polling problems, the voter turnout of 46.4 percent was almost 5 percent higher than the 2021 election.
“It was pretty intense but I’m proud of the outcome,” Gull-Masty told the Nation. “There was that initial barrier of trying to raise my profile as a candidate. On election night, it was a nail-biter because of all the inconsistencies with the Nunavik base. That left me with a huge question mark.”
Voting issues plagued Nunavik throughout election day, with polling stations in Akulivik and Ivujivik not even opening and other communities facing reduced polling hours. In Salluit, the polling station opened four hours late, then closed after just two hours. People waiting in line were told they were closing early because workers had to get on the airplane.
Elections Canada later apologized to voters, saying they struggled with local recruitment in 9 of the 14 Nunavik villages and that difficult weather conditions affected flights for workers. Makivvik Corporation, which represents Inuit in Nunavik, called for an investigation and demanded immediate steps to ensure that every Inuk has equal access to voting in future elections.
With many Cree voters leaving communities early for Goose Break, advance polls on April 18 to 21 faced delays or failed to open in Chisasibi and Whapmagoostui. Grand Chief Norman A. Wapachee asserted that Elections Canada “should come fly in early, stay throughout the elections to carry out their roles and their responsibilities to open the doors for elections.”
“A lot of supporters told me we couldn’t vote,” confirmed Gull-Masty. “It is very concerning. We did have a high level of participation – my only concern was as I saw the Goose Break fly-out schedules go up, more and more communities were emptying.”
After resigning as Grand Chief to declare her candidacy for the Liberal party, Gull-Masty was championed by many Cree as the strong voice needed to promote Indigenous aspirations. Travelling every day throughout the campaign, she was the only candidate to visit all regions of the huge riding, one of the largest and most culturally diverse in Canada.
“It was the first time I got to stay overnight in Kuujjuaq,” Gull-Masty said. “A friend invited me for Arctic char sushi. I got lost and almost ran out of gas. Introducing myself, in some instances people said we’ve never seen anyone come up here to campaign.”
Recognizing that the region’s segmentation risks diluting government investment, Gull-Masty proposed creating an inter-regional table to encourage dialogue and collaboration on shared challenges like housing, cost of living and sustainable development. Discussing labour and infrastructure concerns with key stakeholders, she committed to amplifying the region’s voice in Ottawa.
Of course, the top issue on voters’ minds across the country was US president Donald Trump – his economic warfare with tariffs and bizarre fixation on making Canada the 51st state. This combined with the clear threat of Conservative Pierre Poilievre’s social spending slashing spurred voters towards the rejuvenated Liberal party, at the expense of the Bloc and NDP.
“Trump was every opening comment from voters that I met,” shared Gull-Masty. “We have a riding with a ton of industrial development and resources. If the US is seeking something in Canada, we could have been a prime target. Their trust in Mr. Carney was a driving factor behind turning our riding red.”
Over it’s past decade in power, Gull-Masty believes the Cree Nation has gained much from its relationship with the Liberals, including significant investments in housing and children’s programs. Several ministers reached out to help her campaign, with Mélanie Joly joining her in Val d’Or and Marc Miller coming to Chisasibi – Miller even shared a message over the radio in the Cree language.
Gull-Masty became one of 12 Indigenous candidates elected, the most yet to head to Parliament Hill. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak celebrated the campaign’s Indigenous voices and pledged to work with Prime Minister Carney on commitments to introduce clean drinking water legislation, implement UNDRIP and reform child and family services.
With Trump’s threats reviving talk of accelerating domestic energy production, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) cautioned partners to honour treaties. NAN represents 49 First Nations in Northern Ontario, where the mineral-rich Ring of Fire has increasingly been on developers’ minds.
“Our nations will not tolerate unwanted intrusions into their territories,” stated Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. “The prime minister warned that America wants our land, our resources, our water, and that President Trump is trying to own Canada. That’s how our nations feel about Canada’s settler governments.”
With widespread frustration about the election’s outcome in Conservative-dominated Alberta, the Mikisew and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nations demanded Premier Danielle Smith put a stop to separation threats. Reminding her that Alberta is on Treaty lands, the statement said the province has no authority to supersede these “sacred covenants”, even through a referendum.
“You are attempting to manufacture a national unity crisis at the exact moment Canadians need to unite against Donald Trump’s America,” wrote Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro and Chief Sheldon Sunshine. “If you or any Canadians are not happy living on Treaty lands, they are free to apply for citizenship elsewhere.”
Before returning to parliament on May 26 with a throne speech from King Charles and Queen Camilla, Gull-Masty looked forward to a well-deserved rest at her bush camp to plan her next steps as she cooked some geese. With her deep knowledge of the territory and ability to build bridges between communities, she ended her campaign with determination and humility.
“I have listened, I have learned, and I am ready to act,” Gull-Masty concluded. “It is high time that our riding had strong representation in Ottawa and a real influence within the government.”