Abenaki youth wins seat in Quebec election.

Quebec's March 26 provincial election produced a minority Liberal government and the somewhat surprising rise of the Action Democratique du Quebec as official opposition in the province, relegating the Parti Quebecois (PQ) to third party status.

There was also another surprise in store, this time for Aboriginal people, as an Abenaki youth was elected in the northern riding of Abitibi-Est.

Twenty-four-year-old Alexis Wawanoloath claimed the seat after beating out incumbent Pierre Corbeil 8262 votes to 7545. In the process, he dethroned the province's minister of Natural Resources and a respected Quebec politician. His election represents a change in a region that has been under Liberal rule for the past four years.

"In the past the PQ have done quite a lot for First Nations through negotiations and agreements like the Paix des Braves," Wawanoloath told Windspeaker. "They recognize First Nations and the specific needs. Maybe it's not perfect, but the PQ's results are better than other parties," he said.

Wawanoloath is a staunch separatist and thinks that the best way for Aboriginal voices to be heard is by dealing with a separate Quebec.

"Sovereignty is a good idea because Quebec, as well as all First Nations, wants to be autonomous and successful," he said.

"All the money is in Ottawa and all the expenses are with the province. It's something disturbing for me to always ask for money from the federal government."

Growing up with a French father and Abenaki mother in Val d'Or opened Wawanoloath's eyes to both sides of the linguistic divide. He was a federalist until age 15, when he thought to himself that having a separate country would be a better route for everyone in the province, including Aboriginal people.

"I think and understand both sides and I think I can be a good bridge for both sides too," he said.

Wawanoloath worked his way up the Native ranks by sitting on numerous boards. His interest in Native rights and his political savvy eventually saw him become the youth representative with the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador. He had to resign that post as well as his job as vice-president of the Native Friendship Centre in Val d'Or after he was elected.

Wawanoloath has a background working for the betterment of young people. He studied early childhood education at the Abitibi Temiscamingue CEGEP, with a focus on Aboriginal children. He also worked as a social worker at two schools that had large First Nation populations. His mandate was to combat stereotypes and to educate his students about the diversity of cultures in Quebec. He stressed that he would like to continue working with the schools to help prevent students from forming racist stereotypes about Aboriginal people at an early age. But he does not only want to limit his speeches to youth.

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"I want to teach my colleagues about Native peoples. I would also like to introduce a program where people learn about how we lived in the past and the different things we've been through to get here today. I want the people to understand the Aboriginal position and I think that will help to eliminate a lot of the ignorance and racism."

It's believed that Wawanoloath is the first Aboriginal person to hold office as a member of the PQ. When he found out he'd won the election, his youthful exuberance and hope for the future could not be contained.

"I feel very honoured," he said. "A lot of whites I met were proud to be the first riding to elect a Native person. And a lot of Native people told me that my election gave them hope. It showed that we are in a place where it's possible to live together."

During the election campaign, the Val d'Or Chamber of Commerce held a debate between incumbent Corbeil and Wawanoloath, and by all accounts, Wawanoloath held his own. His self-confidence is evident in his response when asked if he would consider running for office again. "Of course," he said. "And I will win."

The platform he ran on during the provincial campaign focused on the social and economic change he feels is needed to boost his riding and the sagging economies of towns that used to rely heavily on mining. His openness to the youth and to everyone in the riding is what he believes helped him to get in.

"I want to give the people a voice, where they can talk and express their opinions," he said. "It doesn't matter if you're a Liberal or PQ or if you voted for the Green Party, I want to hear from everyone. I invite everyone to speak, because I represent everyone."

By Steve Bonspiel 

Windspeaker Writer

VAL D'OR, Que.