Gail Collins arrives to Federal Court in Edmonton, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Collins submitted an application for judicial review of Saddle Lake Cree Nation's election laws. The Saddle Lake Cree Nation community, about 170 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, has regulations that prevent descendants of Indigenous women who have married non-status men from voting in its elections. (Photo: Canadian Press)
Federal Court hearing for Alberta First Nation to change election laws
Feb 21, 2023 | 3:36 PM
SADDLE LAKE CREE NATION, AB – A woman from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation is in Federal Court in Edmonton today, February 21, 2023, fighting for her right to vote in band elections.
The Indigenous community about 170 kilometres northeast of Edmonton has regulations that prevent descendants of Indigenous women who have married non-status men from voting in its elections.
A hearing into a judicial application from Gail Collins to change those rules is underway.
Last week, the Federal Court ordered Whitefish Lake First Nation in northwestern Alberta to change its election regulations after two women argued that they were being discriminated against for similar reasons.
