Media
Read our media releases and news coverage:
Media inquiries:
- For Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) or Grand Chief Garrison Settee, please contact Melanie Ferris by phone at 204-612-1284 or by email.
If you would like to be added or removed to MKO’s media list, email Melanie. - For Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin (KIM) or Dr. Barry Lavallee, please contact Teena Legris by phone at 204-770-4761 or by email.
If you would like to be added or removed from KIM’s media list, email Teena.
You can find media coverage related to MKO here.
OCTOBER 2020:
October 21: Indigenous Leaders hold Spirit Ride in solidarity with Mi’kmaq Fishers
October 19: First Nation Citizens in Manitoba Urged to Get the Flu Shot: Protecting Ourselves and Our Loved Ones
October 16: Update on COVID-19 at the Thompson YWCA: Potential Exposure from October 4 to 14, 2020
October 15: MKO Expresses Support and Solidarity with the Mi’kmaq Fishers of Nova Scotia
October 9: MKO Statement on Fire Prevention Week: Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen
October 9: MKO Encourages First Nations Citizens to Remain Vigilant During Thanksgiving
October 7: MKO’s Response to Manitoba’s Speech from the Throne
October 2: Remembering and Honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls on October 4
SEPTEMBER 2020:
September 30: MKO Honours Former Students of Residential Schools on Orange Shirt Day
September 28: MKO Statement on Confirmed COVID Cases in Northern First Nations
September 25: First Nations Citizens Encouraged to Keep Manitoba Health Cards Up to Date
September 25: Embracing the Resilience of Our Nations: Advocating for Northern First Nations at MKO’s 39th Annual General Assembly
September 23: MKO’s Response to the Speech from the Throne
September 1: MKO Statement on Historical Announcement about Residential Schools
AUGUST 2020:
August 24: MKO Encourages Fishers to Apply for Fish Harvester Benefit and Grant Program
August 22: MKO and AMC Joint Media Release- Grand Chiefs Urge for Reintroduction of Northern Travel Order
August 18: MKO Statement on the Return to Schools in Northern Manitoba
August 13: MKO Disappointed Manitoba Hydro Plans to Increase Rates for First Nations Customers
JULY 2020:
July 30: MKO Demands Action from Via Rail: Citizens of War Lake First Nation Plan Rail Blockade
July 8: MKO Condemns Beating of MKO Citizen by Saskatoon Police
July 3: MKO Concerned with Mistreatment of First Nations Citizens at the Thompson Walmart
June 2020:
June 24: MKO Celebrates Pride with a Special Event in Thompson
June 20: MKO Set to Raise Flag at RCMP’s Thompson Detachment on National Indigenous Peoples’ Day
June 20: MKO Celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 10: MKO Concerned about Police Violence Against Indigenous Peoples Across Canada
June 5: MKO Stands in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter Movement
June 4: MKO Responds to Latest Ruling from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
May 2020
May 28: MKO Statement on the Province of Manitoba’s Phase Two Re-Opening Plan
May 24: Agreement Reached for Keeyask Construction Site
May 15: Sixteen Off-Reserve First Nations Citizens Diagnosed with COVID-19 in Manitoba
May 12: Celebrating Indigenous Nurses Day and National Nursing Week
May 11: MKO Recognizes and Honours First Nations Citizens on Manitoba’s 150th Birthday
April 2020
April 25: MKO Offers to Condolences to First Nations Families Impacted by Recent Winnipeg Police Shootings
April 23: MKO Concerned Funding for Urban Indigenous Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Insufficient
April 15: Updated Public Health Orders Restrict Travel in Northern Manitoba
April 13: Manitoba’s Indigenous Leaders Denounce Province Passing Bill 34
April 7: COVID-19 Pandemic Amplifies Need for Reliable Internet and Phone Service in Northern Manitoba
April 2: Lack of Housing in Northern First Nations Impacts Ability to Self-Isolate
March 2020
March 31: Protecting First Nations in the Time of COVID-19: MKO Continues to Advocate for Northern Manitoba
March 30: Knowledge Keepers Radio Show Aims to Lift Spirits During COVID-19 Pandemic
March 12: MKO Update on COVID-19 Preparations for Northern First Nations
February 2020
February 26: MKO Responds to Acts of Vandalism and Online Racism
February 13: MKO Update on Medical Services for Northern First Nations
February 10: MKO Expresses Solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en People
February 3: MKO Statement on the Passing of a Woman in Custody of the Thompson RCMP
January 2020
January 31: Historic First in Manitoba as Verdict Delivered in Northern First Nation in the Case of Crystal Andrews
January 30: MKO Supports Ending Birth Alerts in Manitoba
January 29: Every Action Counts: MKO Grand Chief Encourages Acts of Compassion on Bell Let’s Talk Day
January 27: MKO Chiefs Call on Province of Manitoba to Address Broken Justice System in Northern Manitoba
January 24: MKO Remembers Crystal Andrews of God’s Lake Narrows
January 23: MKO Hosts Productive Chiefs’ Special Assembly on Health
December 2019
December 6: MKO’s Response to the 43rd Speech from the Throne
November 2019
November 29: It-To-Ta-Maso-Wak: MKO “Doing it Our Way” for Child Welfare in Northern First Nations
November 20: MKO Statement on the International Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 20: MKO Hosts Chiefs Assembly on Child Welfare on National Child Day
November 14: MKO Encouraging First Nations People to Get Tested and Take Steps to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes on World Diabetes Day
October 2019
October 28: MKO Encouraging Residents from Northern Manitoba to Get the Flu Shot
October 27: Pimicikamak Cree Nation and the Incorporated Community of Cross Lake Declare State of Emergency
October 21: MKO Reminds Indigenous Peoples to Vote Today
October 17: MKO Encouraging Indigenous Peoples to Vote on October 21
October 16: MKO Launches Santa Express Fundraising Campaign
October 10: MKO Hosting Three Special Gatherings in Thompson: Community Members Welcome to Attend all Events
October 9: MKO Encouraging First Nations Citizens to Create Fire Safety Plans
October 4: MKO Statement on Arrest in the Homicide of Norma Andrews
October 4: Remembering and Honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls on October 4
September 2019
September 30: MKO Responds to City of Winnipeg Pilot Project Involving Pre-Payment for Taxi Rides
September 30: MKO Acknowledges Residential School Students on Orange Shirt Day
September 27: MKO Commends Youth Taking Part in the Global Climate Strike
September 27: MKO Response to the Introduction of Eagle Feathers to Manitoba Courts
September 25: MKO Remembers Norma Ellen Andrews: Winnipeg’s Latest Homicide a Reminder on Immediate Need for Action
September 22: Statement from Chief Eric Redhead on the Passing of a Two-Year-Old Child in Shamattawa First Nation
September 17: MKO Statement on The Health Status of and Access to Healthcare by Registered First Nations Peoples in Manitoba
September 10: MKO Statement on the Election Results for the Province of Manitoba
September 10: World Suicide Prevention Day: Opportunity to Focus on Mental Wellness in MKO First Nations
August 2019
August 29: God’s Lake First Nation Activating a State of Emergency
August 29: MKO Encouraging Indigenous Peoples to Take Part in Upcoming Elections
August 27: Statement from Chief Eric Redhead on Homicide in Shamattawa First Nation
August 7: MKO Statement on the End of Manhunt for Fugitives in Northern Manitoba
July 2019
July 28: MKO Encouraging Residents of York Factory First Nation to Stay Indoors
July 26: MKO Demands Real Action to Address Northern Issues in Upcoming Federal Election
July 24: MKO Encourages Northern Residents to Remain Vigilant as Search for Two Homicide Suspects Continues
July 10: MKO Calls on Province of Manitoba to Improve Communication and Planning on Critical Air Transport
July 2: MKO Remembers Christine Wood
June 2019
June 19: MKO Statement on Upcoming Provincial Election in Manitoba
June 19: MKO Supports Dene Nations in Finalizing Land Claim
June 18: MKO Working in Partnership with Vale to Ensure the Safety of Northern Manitoba Citizens
June 13: MKO Honours Elder Marie Ballantyne for Years of Guidance and Service to Her Community
June 11: MKO Urges Province of Manitoba to Stop the Privatization of Life-Saving Air Ambulance Program
June 11: MKO Supports the Reduction of Plastic Waste in Northern Manitoba
June 3: MKO’s Statement on the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
May 2019
April 2019
April 26: Shamattawa Missing Person, Randy Redhead
March 2019
March 4: MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee extends condolences to AMC Grand Chief Arlen Dumas
February 2019
February 20: MKO, MMF, SCO to Meet with Province to Defend Children
February 12: MKO Press Release Jody Wilson-Raybould Resignation
February 7: Grand Chief Garrison Settee Responds to CBC Article
January 2019
January 18: Manitoba Hydro’s Keeyask First Nation Partners Renew Call for Public Inquiry
January 10: AMC First Nations Family Advocate Office, Harper/Woods Family
January 10: Indigenous Contributions to the Economy (PDF of our media release)
January 10: Indigenous Contributions to the Economy (access the full reports on this page)
2018
October 17, 2018: MKO Grand Chief Intends to Represent the North from the North (Thompson Citizen)
October 2, 2018: MKO hosts Press Conference for Family of Mary Yellowback, MMIWG
February 14, 2018: New legal framework looks like attempt to turn First Nations into Municipalities
January 26, 2018: MKO Willing to Work on CFS Reform with Canada and Manitoba
January 23, 2018: DELAYING FUNDING VICTIMIZES FIRST NATION CHILDREN
January 9, 2018: New Fibre Optic Cable can improve First Nations’ access to services and markets
2017
December 12, 2017: MKO Calls for Equality of Child Services and Effective use of Jordan’s Principle