Former Manitoba cabinet minister takes on new role supporting Indigenous youth

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This article was published 09/02/2024 (966 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Former MLA Kevin Chief is looking forward to helping Indigenous youth achieve new opportunities after being hired as the first community ambassador for the Southern Chiefs’ Organization.

Chief, an former NDP MLA and cabinet minister and True North Sports and Entertainment’s senior adviser of community development, said he is honoured to take on the new position.

“I like helping to build bridges and establish relationships,” he said Friday. “There are many exciting initiatives I’ll be assisting with at SCO and one of them is working closely with the SCO Youth Chiefs.

“It is essential to create opportunities and support young people from SCO member nations, and I am honoured to be part of this work.”

The paid position was created as SCO celebrates its 25th year of advocating for and with 34 Anishinaabe and Dakota First Nations and their more than 87,000 community members across southern Manitoba.

Chief is a citizen of Minegoziibe Anishinabe, the former Pine Creek First Nation, co-founder of the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre and chairman of the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development.

He said that in addition to his SCO role with youth, he will also be working closely with Grand Chief Jerry Daniels to build and retain relationships with various levels of government and the private sector.

Daniels said in a statement that Chief “is a well-respected leader with a strong record of creating and supporting positive change in the communities he works with.

“A person dedicated to having a positive influence on others, Kevin is an asset to all those who are impacted by his work,” Daniels said.

Chief said he will continue working with True North, as well as performing traditional-style Métis music and dance with the Norman Chief Memorial Dancers, named after his late father.

“I see both the True North and SCO positions fitting well together,” he said.

“I’m a such a believer in relationships that begin with trust can help maximize opportunities for our citizens. Both organizations have a commitment to provide support and opportunities for young people.

“It’s a nice fit and both are under that community umbrella.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca