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How the Research can Help You

Key Findings for Aboriginal Organizations

The Research at a Glance

National Youth Survey

  • Conducted following the May 2011 federal election
  • Included 2,665 youth aged 18-34 from across the country
  • 283 Aboriginal youth participated in the study

Aboriginal Electoral Participation in Canada

  • Based on 4 post-election surveys following the federal elections of 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2011
  • Included 2,345 First Nations, Métis and Inuit participants

Elections Canada is pleased to share with you this Research Action Digest, which summarizes key findings of the National Youth Survey and the Aboriginal Electoral Participation in Canada study.

The importance of engaging Aboriginal youth.

Our research showed that Aboriginal youth were 32 percentage points less likely to vote than youth in general. This indicates the importance of engaging youth to encourage them to participate in the democratic process.

Encourage youth to get informed, and give them the tools to do so.

For all federal elections from 2004 to 2011, Aboriginal electors who were interested, knowledgeable and followed politics were 40 percentage points more likely to vote than those who did not share these characteristics. The National Youth Survey further underscored the importance of political knowledge. For example, 81% of youth who correctly answered three political questions reported voting, compared to 22% of those who could not answer one question correctly. Aboriginal associations can help by providing information on how to access party platforms, sharing website links for educational resources, and working with youth groups and community organizations to host political information sessions.

Support multiple forms of civic engagement.

Our youth survey confirmed that there is a positive relationship between voting and other forms of civic engagement. Aboriginal youth who participated in different political activities – such as signing a petition or attending a community meeting about a local issue – were also more likely to vote in the May 2011 election. Among Aboriginal youth who had participated in two or more activities, 66% voted, compared to 29% of those who had participated in no activities. Providing many opportunities for youth to get involved can help them to become more active citizens all around.

Encourage youth to participate in community meetings and gatherings.

Turnout for Aboriginal youth who attended community meetings was 17 percentage points higher than for Aboriginal youth as a whole. Interestingly, Aboriginal youth were more likely to attend community meetings than Canadian youth in general. Community meetings and gatherings are key places for Aboriginal youth to discuss issues of importance with Elders, community leaders and peers. Given their importance, they can also provide opportunities to encourage democratic participation.

Foster a sense of civic duty.

The belief that voting is a civic duty is strongly associated with voter turnout. For all federal elections from 2004 to 2011, 90% of Aboriginal electors who voted agreed that it was their duty to do so. In the National Youth Survey, 97% of Aboriginal youth voters agreed that voting is a civic duty, compared to 66% of non-voters. Fostering a sense of civic duty can help youth appreciate the importance of voting and participating in the democratic process.

Organize political debates with parties, candidates and elected officials.

Political debates are a great way to learn about politics and provide an opportunity for young people to interact with politicians. Aboriginal youth who were directly contacted by a candidate or party during the election were 20 percentage points more likely to vote than youth who were not contacted. Hosting political debates can create opportunities for parties, candidates and elected officials to reach out to Aboriginal youth, listen to their views, and learn about those issues that are most important to them. This is particularly important given that Aboriginal youth are less likely to be directly contacted by a party or candidate. In fact, only 27% of Aboriginal youth were contacted during the last federal election, compared to 40% of the youth population as a whole.

Encourage Aboriginal youth to talk about politics with their family and friends.

Turnout for Aboriginal youth who had discussed politics at home was 22 percentage points higher than for those who had never discussed politics at home. Aboriginal youth who had political discussions with friends were also more likely to vote. These findings show that family and friends are important influences on Aboriginal youth who vote. Talking about politics with peers and at home is a good way to increase political interest and knowledge and promote democratic participation.

Make voting information available during elections.

Aboriginal youth still face a number of access barriers to voting, including a lack of information about the electoral process. Providing more information about where, when, and how to vote can help address these barriers. Elections Canada produces a lot of print and electronic material that can help get the word out and can also work with you to set up information booths where youth are likely to visit.

The rights to vote and to participate in the democratic process are fundamental human rights that belong to all First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in Canada.

Working together, we can give all Aboriginal youth the tools they need to exercise their rights and play an active role in the democratic life of this country.

You are the future.
Make your voices heard. Reverse the trend.

info@elections.ca
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