Nunavik NDP candidate focused on housing, health and infrastructure

Nunatsiaq News is profiling candidates in the April 28 federal election. In the Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou riding, incumbent Bloc Québécois’ MP Sylvie Bérubé is running against Liberal Mandy Gull-Masty, Conservative Steve Corriveau and NDP candidate Thai Higashihara.

Thai Higashihara says housing, Indigenous representation in decision-making, and infrastructure investment are his top priorities as the NDP candidate in the riding of Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou.

Diverse voices of Indigenous communities in the North, such as those of the Inuit and the Cree, aren’t being listened to or fairly represented, he said in a phone interview. And he hopes to change that.

“When it comes to policy [and] decision making, I want better representation for Indigenous communities, for them to have a seat at the table where they can make critical decisions,” Higashihara said.

He also said he feels there needs to be more government funding in the riding.

“I think there’s been a lack of investment in the North for northern communities and lack of infrastructure investment,” he said.

“And we’re seeing that, especially with global frictions changing so rapidly that this location should be front and centre of all policy decision making.”

He said Nunavik is just one part of a large region that has been “clumped into a giant riding with so many diverse interests that don’t necessarily reflect the Inuit communities up North.”

That creates a tension between valuing various interests and ensuring the voices of Inuit or Cree are preserved and heard.

Because the riding is in Quebec, he noted, there is a strong focus on preservation of the French language. He said he agrees with that, but wants a similar focus on preserving Inuit and Cree culture and language.

At 24, Higashihara may be new to federal politics but he is a longtime grassroots activist. He was a student government leader at the University of Toronto, where he studied political science and global development. He currently lives in Ottawa and works as a digital organizer for the NDP.

Despite not living there, Higashihara has connections to the Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou riding.

“My grandfather (Richard Boivin) had a relationship with the James Bay Cree and worked on Oujé-Bougoumou,” he said, referring to the Cree community.

“His ashes are scattered up there. He used to go fly fishing and he would take me up over the summers.”

Higashihara said choose the riding because he believes people deserve to have a progressive option “only made possible” by electing New Democrats.

Much of Higashihara’s activism has been focused on urban Indigenous communities, he said. He acknowledges there are differences between southern Indigenous communities and their northern brethren, but there are also many similarities when it comes to reconciliation and other issues.

Higashihara said he thinks his previous experience will be a great asset in the riding.

His other related work includes working with Oxfam Canada, a global organization working to end poverty and inequality focused on women’s rights.

The federal election is April 28.