As part of our coverage of the 2015 Federal Election, we are asking Indigenous people in this province to tell us "Why I Vote." These are the unedited words from our interviewees. You can find more in our Interviews section.

Vernon Linklater, 53, Family Violence Worker/ Public School Trustee

Did you vote in the last federal election?

Yes I did, I have been voting ever since I turned 18!!!

Will you be voting in this election?

Yes I will!

What is the most important issue to you this election?

I feel the government is not listening to the People, they are muting and deleting programs that are valuable to the public, I don't like to feel fear when I go out in the public, I don't like to feel fear when I want to speak up, I have a vested interest in my Community and I want the government to help all of us.

Why is it important for Indigenous people to vote?

We are offered a democratic right to vote, where you live!, even if your from a First Nation, many First Nations have a First Nation but we all go to the city, for everything, We are part of the city demographic, we own homes and work in the city, We can change the government with one vote, we all have to vote, if you don't, we are not participating in the place we live.     ...think of it this way...if your in your own home.....and then people just start to walk in...even if you have a lock...they have the key......they take your stuff....and pretty much after a week that you have to move out...and you still have to pay rent........anything that happens is in your name, what ever happens in the house, and you have to repair everything that is damaged........while your living homeless............ 

Related:

• Why I Vote: Rochelle DeBray
• Why I Vote: Wab Kinew
• Why I Vote: Jennifer Dawn Bishop
• Why I Vote: Danny Knight

Click here for more Election coverage.