Trisha Cowie stares up at a large map on the wall at her riding headquartesr
It’s a large area that covers more than 14.000 square kilometres.
“We can’t cover a whole town in one day,” she says. “Some of the smaller communities, my community is Port Carling.”
Cowie is a successful lawyer and member of Hiawatha First Nation.
She’s lived in the riding for the past eight years.
The region is also home to seven First Nations.
Cowie says she’s an advocate for Indigenous rights and has met with many leaders to hear their concerns.
“I did just meet a number of chiefs yesterday and the child welfare ruling is top of mind,” she said. “But there’s also more practical everyday decisions, so roads roadways, more bridges for example and then financing certification that’s really important.
Some Indigenous groups says they’ve lost confidence with the Liberals over the on going child welfare issue, the lack of action on a national suicide strategy and the water crisis.
Cowie says she sees it differently.
“As a first nations person, I know that if we don’t have a seat at the table then we’re probably on the menu,” she says.
“We need somebody there every day bringing this issue in every conversation every caucus meeting, to push forward for change.”
This isn’t her first run for the Liberals.
In the last election, she lost by 2,200 votes to Conservative candidate Tony Clement.
But he’s not seeking a re-election.
Joy Lewis believes Cowie will do well this time around and that’s why she came to show her support.
“She’s so well qualified first of all, she’s Indigenous, she’s a lawyer, she has a small business and she knows all about the things the Liberal party has done the last four years for Parry Sound, Muskoka,” says Lewis.
