Indigenous Adoption of Internet Voting: A Case Study of Whitefish River First Nation

Abstract

Indigenous communities and organizations are increasingly using digital technologies to build community capacity, strengthen community consultation, and improve political participation. In particular, Internet voting is a type of technology to which First Nations have been drawn. This article explores Whitefish River First Nation's (WRFN) experience introducing Internet voting in the course of ratifying a new matrimonial real property law (MRP). Specifically, we examine the implications of Internet voting for political participation and electoral administration at the community level. Although community members' uptake of Internet voting was very modest, we find the experience of adoption had other subtle impacts on community capacity, specifically in terms of empowering the community to pass its own laws and connecting youth and elders. With respect to administration, Internet voting provided an opportunity to connect with community members using technology, to modernize voting processes, and to better accommodate community members needs.

Voting in Māori Governance Entities

“…Research with First Nations communities in Canada has shown an appetite for online voting (Gabel et al, 2016). More than 100 First Nations and Métis communities now use online voting and see key benefits to "enhance local participation, self-determination, and governance," suggesting that online voting is "a tool to improve voting accessibility and engagement for members living off-reserve" (Gabel & Goodman, 2019a, p. 5).…”

“…More than 100 First Nations and Métis communities now use online voting and see key benefits to "enhance local participation, self-determination, and governance," suggesting that online voting is "a tool to improve voting accessibility and engagement for members living off-reserve" (Gabel & Goodman, 2019a, p. 5). However, while online voting promises potential benefits, its implementation does not always yield the intended results (Gabel et al, 2016). Concerns also exist around the cultural appropriateness of online voting, "whether the technology is consistent with community visions of selfdetermination and local decision-making" (Gabel & Goodman, 2019a, p. 5), internet access, digital literacy, security, and the impact on culture (Gabel et al, 2016).…”

“…However, while online voting promises potential benefits, its implementation does not always yield the intended results (Gabel et al, 2016). Concerns also exist around the cultural appropriateness of online voting, "whether the technology is consistent with community visions of selfdetermination and local decision-making" (Gabel & Goodman, 2019a, p. 5), internet access, digital literacy, security, and the impact on culture (Gabel et al, 2016).…”

Does the Introduction of Online Voting Create Diversity in Representation?

“…Given the greater caregiving responsibilities faced by many women, and the lower wages and greater reliance on public transit for both women and young people (Heisz and Schellenberg, 2004), online voting could also favour the participation of these two groups. In addition to reducing the cost of voting, online voting might be particularly appealing to younger electors (see Gabel et al, 2016), who are more likely to be familiar with the Internet and comfortable using it for everyday tasks.…”

Being an Indigenous CRC in the era of the TRC #Notallitscrackeduptobe

“…The first project examines the nature of contact and communication between elders and youth using photovoice, an arts-based method that puts cameras in the hands of research participants and allows them to identify strengths and concerns in their community (Gabel and Pace 2016; Pace and Gabel 2018). The second project examines the impact of digital technology on Indigenous participation and governance (Gabel, Bird, Goodman, and Budd 2017;Gabel, Goodman, Bird, and Budd 2016), and is entitled First Nations Digital Democracy Project. Most recently, I completed a project that I co-led on Indigenous research methodology and community participation, entitled Indigenous Futures.…”