Empowering Indigenous communities through technology

This post is written by Brian Budd (Ph.D, Political Science, University of Guelph), Chelsea Gabel (Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Well-being, Community Engagement and Innovation & Associate Professor, McMaster University), and Nicole Goodman (Chancellor's Chair for Research Excellence, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Brock University).

• The problem: (1) Indigenous communities continue to govern under colonially imposed models of governance, and (2) Obtaining participation to pass self-government votes can be challenging, especially given the percentage of citizens who live off-reserve in some First Nations.
• Why it matters: Colonially imposed models of governance limit Indigenous self-government and jurisdiction.
• The solution: Indigenous communities are turning to digital innovation and tools, such as online voting, to build governance capacity and strengthen political participation.

An important trend in Canadian public policy is the move to digital government. Across the federal, provincial and local levels of government in Canada, policymakers and public servants have embraced the concept of digital government as a way to deliver more modern, responsive, and user-friendly services to the public.

Often overlooked within conversations about digital government and public sector innovation are Indigenous communities. Faced with structural inequalities and governance challenges stemming from Canada’s ongoing history of settler colonialism, First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities are increasingly leveraging digital technologies to strengthen governance capacity and better serve citizens’ needs.

A community-engaged study of online voting

A new case study in the Policy Ready, IPAC, and Code for Canada digital government series offers a first-hand look at Indigenous-led digital innovation through an exploration of Tsuut’ina Nation’s experiences with online voting.

Tsuut’ina Nation–a first nation located adjacent to Calgary, Alberta–has been at the forefront of a larger wave of First Nations using online voting technology. More than 120 First Nations across Canada have used online voting in various types of votes ranging from community polls to referenda and elections for chief and council. Métis organisations have also used online voting for their elections and general assemblies.

Using a community-engaged research approach, where communities are equal partners in the research, we worked with Tsuut’ina Nation to understand the motivations, challenges, and benefits that digital innovation poses to First Nation governance.

Like many First Nations that have adopted online voting, Tsuut’ina’s motivation to use the voting mode was to strengthen participation among those living on and off reserve lands, modernise government institutions, and enhance community voice in decision-making processes.

Tsuut’ina Nation’s adoption of online voting supports a broader effort to move out from under colonially imposed models of governance that limit the jurisdiction and decision-making authority of First Nations. For example, in 2016 Tsuut’ina Nation used online voting to ratify a custom electoral code which replaced the sections of the Indian Act setting out the rules for Chief and Council elections. This process removed the nation from 25% of the Indian Act.

Despite the realisation of the benefits outlined above, Tsuut’ina’s experience also reveals challenges that First Nations can encounter when digitally innovating. For instance, many Tsuut’ina Nation leaders and members expressed concern that online voting could disadvantage or exclude older and less tech-savvy citizens. Members also questioned whether online voting was consistent with the nation’s traditional cultural values and norms.

Lessons from Tsuut’ina Nation’s example

Tsuut’ina Nation’s experience offers several lessons for other Indigenous communities to maximise the benefits of adopting technology while mitigating risks and challenges. These include:

1. Integrate technology adoption and training as part of in-person community gatherings and meetings.
2. Implement technology incrementally with opportunities to use it and receive training (e.g. demos, digital literacy building) prior to binding votes.
3. Establish federal funding for an Election Resource and Information Centre to provide logistical and technical support for First Nations interested in innovating their elections and voting. This could include use of online voting, electronic tabulators, or perhaps developing an electronic contact list or email database.

These lessons touch on the importance of introducing technology in a way that builds upon community connections, culture, and existing pathways to participation rather than replacing them. The loosening of anachronistic election regulations and providing targeted funding supports also highlights a role for the federal government to support Indigenous communities in modernising voting processes.

Tsuut’ina Nation’s experience puts a spotlight on the growing role that digital innovation is playing within Indigenous communities across Canada. These are exciting developments within the digital governance policy space. However, it is important to be attentive to the unique political context and challenges present within Indigenous communities. For digital innovation to be most impactful, technology must be introduced in a manner that supports the return of jurisdiction, decision-making capacity, and self-determination to Indigenous communities.

For more, read the full case study.

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