Politics

First Nations leaders criticize ballot shortages in Alberta separation referendum

Some polling stations in Indigenous communities ran out of ballots despite high turnout.

By Marcus Lowe, Politics Reporter
October 21, 2026

Several First Nations in Alberta experienced shortages of ballots during Monday's provincial referendum, drawing criticism of Elections Alberta's administration. The vote included a question on whether Alberta should remain in Canada or begin a process toward a future separation vote. Indigenous communities had actively opposed the separation question, arguing it violated treaty rights and launching legal challenges. Siksika Nation reported that the lack of ballots caused significant delays at its polling stations, preventing some members from voting.

Siksika Chief Samuel Crowfoot said the shortages created barriers to democratic participation. "It is unacceptable that First Nations communities continue to encounter barriers to participating fully in Alberta’s democratic processes," Crowfoot said in a statement. He told CBC Radio that waits reached two and a half hours at one location and that he will request a formal explanation for the ballot and staffing allocation. Crowfoot questioned whether non-Indigenous municipalities faced similar problems.

Elections Alberta delivered additional ballots to five First Nations, a spokesperson confirmed. Samson Cree Nation, Louis Bull Tribe and Ermineskin Cree Nation each required three separate deliveries. Extra ballots were also sent to Whitefish First Nation and to a station serving Siksika Nation and Blood Tribe. The agency said it supplied 1.5 times the number of ballots predicted using historical voter data. "This means we have seen higher turnout at these locations than we have in the past," spokeswoman Michelle Gurney said, calling the engagement a positive sign.

First Nations leaders said the miscalculation showed a failure to anticipate their communities' strong interest. "This shouldn’t have come as a surprise because it was the First Nations people who were most vocal and most against the referendum from the beginning," said Jay Telegdi of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi said his members were prepared but Elections Alberta was not, citing late openings and insufficient ballots. "We went to these polling stations not out of fear, but for respect for our treaties," Mercredi told The Canadian Press.

In Samson Cree Nation, many voters were turned away after the station ran out of ballots twice, according to volunteer Katherine Swampy. Elections Alberta sent 300 more ballots in the afternoon and 600 later, but about 60 people were still in line at closing time with only 30 ballots left. Swampy said a request for more was denied. "People that had showed up, filled out all the necessary paperwork, even waited in line, were asked to leave, because there were not enough ballots for them to vote," she said. The agency acknowledged about 20 voters there could not cast ballots because extra shipments arrived too late.

Louis Bull Tribe Chief Desmond Bull said his community also exhausted its ballots twice on Monday. "It's always a good indication when that happens," Bull said, referring to high turnout, "but it also shows the lack of responsibility in regards to how many ballots we could actually use." Elections Alberta spokesperson Kevin Duncan said the agency maintained close contact with communities to resolve issues and extended voting hours where needed. He noted that 106 of the province's 1,400 stations experienced delays, most under 15 minutes.

Results from First Nations polls showed overwhelming opposition to separation. At Tallcree First Nation, all 102 voters rejected independence, while only seven of 363 voters at an Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation location supported it. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said the turnout sent a clear message. "First Nations and Albertan voters turned out in huge numbers and stood up for our shared past, present and future in Canada and rejected a divisive proposal," she said in a release.

Activist Tania Cameron, who helped train Indigenous communities for the vote, said the ballot shortage disrespected voters. She said Elections Alberta should have been better prepared given the public campaigns to boost turnout. Cameron had previously mobilized Indigenous voters in the 2015 federal election. Conservative MP Billy Morin, former chief of Enoch Cree Nation, said the result affirmed treaty relationships. "We’re all treaty people. It means more today than it did before this," Morin said, adding that Indigenous participation showed they would not be dictated to by governments.

With files from The Canadian Press, The Globe and Mail and CBC News