By Wade Grant

Vancouver has come a long way since it officially became a city in 1886. We have made much progress in so many areas, learned from and righted past wrongs, and despite many challenges, are continuing to build an incredible, world-class city. The leadership of our city—the mayor and council—has also evolved and is now far more reflective of the diverse cultures and people that make up Vancouver, with one notable and unacceptable exception: local First Nations.

Although major strides have been made to include local First Nations in the political process, there has yet to be anyone of local First Nations descent elected to Vancouver city council. For Vancouver to achieve true reconciliation and for city hall to truly reflect our city, we need to move beyond important, but largely symbolic measures like educating the public about Indigenous place names and cultures. Local First Nations and Indigenous leaders must also take a seat at the table as elected representatives.

This is not just a Vancouver issue. In fact, across Metro Vancouver, local First Nations representation at a civic level remains almost nonexistent. In B.C. the Indigenous population grew 38 percent over the last decade, yet they only make up a tiny proportion of local elected officials. We can and we must do better. More of us from local First Nations or Indigenous communities need to get involved in the political process and run for office.

I am so lucky to benefit from the rights and privileges that my grandparents and great grandparents fought so hard for, including the right to vote and the right to run for office. In fact, it was only in my parents’ lifetime—only in 1960—that First Nations, including Musqueam people, were finally given the right to vote. But still, 58 years later, this has not yet translated into a local First Nations candidate being elected to Vancouver City Hall.  

I want to change this, which is why I have put my name forward as an independent candidate for Vancouver city council. Although I grew up in the Musqueam community I have always also considered myself to be a proud Vancouverite. That’s why I have worked to make my broader Vancouver community better through my time on the Vancouver police board and other organizations.

The struggle and efforts of those who came before us have gotten us to this point in our city’s history. They have enabled a dialogue and a time where we embrace different cultures and recognize that having a more diverse group of people at the table is critical to making this city an even better place to live. But now is the time to make sure that diverse group of voices also includes local First Nations Vancouverites. 

Whatever the election may hold for me, whether I’m successful or not, I want to show other local First Nations people that they should not be afraid to put their name forward for civic office. In fact, more than not be afraid to do so, they should consider it their duty to stand up and get involved. Our city—everyone in our city whether Indigenous or non-Indigenous—need them to get involved. We need their perspectives and we need their voices. That is how we will continue to build Vancouver for the benefit of everyone who calls this incredible place home now and into the future.