A campaign to increase voter turnout among Natives in Manitoba is being called a success although no hard data is available yet.

The Southern Chiefs Organization posted billboards and posters and ran radio and newspaper ads to encourage Natives to vote. Grand Chief Chris Henderson said anecdotal evidence indicates more Natives did turn out to the polls.

In the Churchill district, voter turnout was up by 30 percent. More than half of the population there is Native although it isn't known how many of the new voters are Native.

Some Native groups endorsed the Liberal Party, who lost a number of seats to the Conservative Party. Although Conservative leaders say they won't support an accord made with First Nations, the former chief Assembly of First Nations, Ovide Mercredi, said the party could turn out to be more supportive of Native self-governance.

Get the Story:
Native leaders laud campaign to encourage voters (CBC 1/25)
Native leader welcomes new Conservative government (CBC 1/25)

Relevant Links:
Assembly of First Nations - http://www.afn.ca

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