Wiikinahmahgeh Corner with UFCW 401 member Charmaine St. Germain

Edmonton – April 23, 2025 – In the latest edition of Wiikinahmahgeh Corner, Charmaine St. Germain, UFCW 401 Union Labour Relations Officer, shares her stories of how she became a union activist, her experiences in running for office, and the importance of Indigenous voices in politics.

Charmaine is a Métis woman from Treaty 6 territory and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 4. She sits as the Women’s Private Sector Co-Chair for the Alberta Federation of Labour, she is the Treasurer of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus with the Federal NDP, Labour VP and member of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus with the Alberta NDP, and an Executive Board member for UFCW 401.

“I ran federally in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, because I felt it was important that a Indigenous woman of Métis descent put her name forth,” says Charmaine. “I wanted to be a part of the change that needed to occur. I felt it was important to run and be a voice for those who needed it in my community.”

She stresses the importance of Indigenous representation at all levels, “We as Indigenous people need to be included in the decision making. We need to be included on things that greatly impact our lives. We can’t continue to let non-Indigenous people make those decision for us and not include us at those important tables.”

She calls for action on Indigenous voices in current Federal election, “I hope we have more Indigenous people that get out to vote. I’m seeing a lot of names popping up, which is amazing. And there’s a lot of support happening, and we need to continue supporting those Indigenous candidates.”

“I do know that there is mistrust and it comes from a long line of lies and genocide and so on. So that’s why we need to see more of our people running for government, amplifying their voices and advocating for what their communities need.”

Wiikinahmahgeh means Education in Anishnawbe. UFCW indigenous members are sharing their voices and stories in this ongoing series.

Watch the full interview with Charmaine below.