Submitted by: Alan Playne, Métis Nation of Ontario citizen
With files from: daughtersofthevote.ca
The MNO youth selected as delegates for the “Daughters
of the Vote” initiative. (L-R) Joanna Burt (MNO Infinite
Reach Facilitator), Jordyn Playne (MNO Youth Council
Region 7 Youth Representative and MNO Infinite Reach
Facilitator) and Katie Baltzer (MNO Windsor-Essex-Kent
Métis Council Youth Representative and MNO Infinite
Reach Facilitator).
On International Women’s Day—March 7-8, 2017, 338 young women will take a seat in Parliament as part of the Daughters of the Vote initiative. Chosen out of more than 1,500 applicants, each delegate will represent a federal riding in Canada and will communicate their vision for Canada.
Among the impressive list of talented candidates are Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) youth Joanna Burt, Jordyn Playne, and Katie Baltzer. MNO Infinite Reach Facilitator Joanna will represent the riding of Toronto – St. Paul’s, while MNO Youth Council Region 7 Youth Representative Jordyn will represent Simcoe North, and MNO Windsor-Essex-Kent Métis Council Youth Representative Katie will represent the riding of Essex. Jordyn and Katie are also both MNO Infinite Reach Facilitators.
The Daughters of the Vote initiative is organized by Equal Voice— a national, bilingual, multi-partisan organization dedicated to electing more women to all levels of political office in Canada. The objective of this initiative is to ensure that these 338 emerging young women leaders become familiar with Canada’s political institutions and those women and men serving in them. The hope is that initiatives such as this will help ensure that women are dynamic and equal participants in every political decision made in the country.
In advancing the goals of reconciliation and honouring Nation-to-Nation relationships, Daughters of the Vote is working in partnership with Indigenous organizations and communities. This historic national initiative also helps to mark Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017.
Published on: January 12, 2017