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Former journalist and Unifor Local 816M member Sheila North Wilson had been elected Grand Chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) in the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.
“It is an extreme honour. But I know that it’s not about me, it’s more about what our people need at this time. I can offer a fresh perspective,” said North Wilson.
The MKO is comprised of 30 sovereign First Nations in northern Manitoba.
The MKO members nations are signatory to Treaties 4, 5, 6 and 10.
North Wilson, from the Bunibonibee Cree Nation, will replace Chief David Harper.
As Grand Chief, North Wilson pledges to restore the organization’s transparency, empower families, assist member nations with treaty strategies, and explore new sources of economic independence.
She also emphasized the need to be an active voice in the campaign for missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
“Missing women has always been in the scope of my thinking. I’ve almost been a victim and I have shared stories with families of the missing,” North Wilson said.
“I know that we must make this issue a higher priority across the province and across Canada,” North Wilson said.
Using her background as a journalist at both CBC and CTV, North Wilson is currently working on a documentary about missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
North Wilson will serve a three-year term and is the first woman elected to chief of the MKO.
