To maintain, strengthen, enhance, lobby for and defend the interests and rights of First Nation people within its jurisdiction and to promote, develop and secure a standard quality of life deemed desirable and acceptable by its First Nations without limiting the generality of the foregoing and the objectives of MKO.
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc.
Incorporated in 1981 as the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), MKO is a non-profit, political advocacy organization that provides a collective voice on issues of inherent, Treaty, Aboriginal and human rights for the citizens of the sovereign First Nations we represent. The MKO First Nations are signatory to Treaties 4, 5, 6 and 10.
MKO receives its mandate by resolution of the MKO Chiefs in General Assembly. The Grand Chief, elected for a three-year term, serves as the principal spokesperson. A regionally representative Executive Council of Chiefs provides ongoing direction between General Assemblies.
MKO continues to explore ways to strengthen and promote the interests of First Nations by achieving autonomy and self-sufficiency with respect to all areas that affect the lives of Northern First Nations’ citizens. Our view is that the government powers of the MKO First Nations must be recognized as inherent and our governing systems must have an administrative branch or “civil service” to address the technical and program aspects of the First Nations governments. The full restoration of First Nations’ self-government in Northern Manitoba is envisioned by MKO as a three-part process:
- the repeal or amendment of The Indian Act and the dismantling of the federal government department of Indian and Northern Affairs;
- the transfer of federal and joint federal-provincial programs, services, and related funding allocations directly to First Nations in Manitoba; and
- most importantly, the legal recognition and extension of First Nations’ jurisdiction and self-governing authority over our traditional lands.
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak is the Cree equivalent of northern Manitoba Chiefs. Okimakanak means “made Chiefs,” or those persons who were chosen for the purposes of signing Treaty and who have been elected in subsequent years to govern the affairs of First Nations in a form consistent with the provisions of the federal Indian Act.
MKO Executive Council members also assume responsibility for directing work in specific portfolio areas. The MKO portfolios are:
- Finance
- Administration
- Employment
- Education and Economic Development
- Child Welfare and Women
- Health
- Housing
- Roads
- Transportation and Capital
- Justice
- Land Claims
- Treaty Land Entitlement
- Self-government, Treaty and Bill C-31;
- Natural Resources
- Social Development, Youth and Recreation
- Special Projects
MKO represents citizens of 26 First Nations who are signatories to Treaties 4, 5, 6, and 10
MKO First Nations Communities
- Barren Lands First Nation, Brochet
- Bunibonibee Cree Nation, Oxford House
- Chemawawin Cree Nation, Easterville
- Fox Lake Cree Nation, Gillam
- God’s Lake First Nation, God’s Lake Narrows
- Granville Lake
- Kiciwapa Cree Nation
- Manto Sipi Cree Nation, God’s River
- Marcel Colomb First Nation, Lynn Lake
- Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, Pukatawagan
- Misipawistik Cree Nation, Grand Rapids
- Mosakahiken Cree Nation, Moose Lake
- Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, Nelson House
- Northlands First Nation, Lac Brochet
- Norway House Cree Nation
- Opaskwayak Cree Nation
- O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, South Indian Lake
- Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Cross Lake
- Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, Pelican Rapids
- Sayisi Dene Denesuline Nation, Tadoule Lake
- Shamattawa First Nation
- Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Split Lake
- York Factory First Nation, York Landing
- War Lake First Nation, Ilford
- White Water Reserve, Saskatchewan
- Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation
Our First Nations leaders provide specific mandates and direction to Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) through resolutions. Our resolutions are posted in PDF format for the following years:
2026
2025
2024
2023
- 2023 AGA Resolutions
- 2023 MKO Chiefs General Assembly (February)
- 2023 Chiefs Assembly on Child Welfare (November)
2022
- 2022 AGA Resolutions
- 2022 CWS Special Assembly Resolutions (March)
- 2022 Chiefs Assembly on Justice and Policing (November)
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Annual Reports
Each year, MKO produces an end of year report to share with the representatives from the MKO First Nations that attend our Annual General Assemblies. Our Annual Reports are posted in PDF format for the following years:
Read the biography of our current MKO Grand Chief
Photo above taken by George Muswaggon.
If you need a high-resolution photo of Grand Chief Settee, email us to request a copy.
Garrison Settee: Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) Grand Chief
Grand Chief Garrison Settee is from the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba. He is Ininiw and was born and raised in a Cree-speaking home. He was raised in a home with strong values and work ethics, where his parents instilled strong spiritual values that keep him grounded to this day.
He attended Frontier Collegiate and R.D. Parker Collegiate in Thompson and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Education degree from Brandon University.
Grand Chief Settee taught First Nation Studies and First Nation Law at the grade 12 level for many years. He introduced his students to the critical issues pertaining to Indigenous rights and treaties. Through his experiences as an educator, both students and Elders encouraged Mr. Settee to allow his name to stand for leadership at the community level.
Answering the call of his students and Elders, Garrison was first elected as Councillor and then nominated and elected as Chief of Pimicikamak. He served as Chief from 2008-2013.
During tenure on Chief and Council of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Mr. Settee was involved with a wide range of Councils and committees, including the Executive Council of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO); the Assembly of First Nations Chiefs Committee on Education; school administrator; and a member of the Peace Keeper Patrol-Gang Violence Strategy.
A gifted orator, Grand Chief Settee is a strong advocate for the North. He was first elected as Grand Chief of MKO in August 2018. He was re-elected for a third term in August 2024. In his leadership position, he represents 26 Northern First Nations. He is a strong advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit people; children and families impacted by the child welfare system; economic development; and education for First Nations youth. Grand Chief considers it an honour to serve Northern First Nations.
In his spare time, the Grand Chief enjoys reading non-fiction history books and biographies. He enjoys playing music and is learning to speak Anishinaabemowin. Grand Chief Settee resides in Thompson, Manitoba.
Several notable highlights include:
- Represented MKO at UN meetings in Geneva, Switzerland and exposed Canada’s treatment of Indigenous people.
- Represented MKO in lobbying efforts for the implementation of Jordan’s Principle, and after four days Anita Neville, MP for the Liberal Party, brought the issue of Jordan’s Principle to Parliament, and this was the first time it was mentioned in the House.
- As Chief, Garrison was principal proponent to introduce a resolution to demand an inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls at the Assembly of First Nations Assembly. He apologized to the women that not enough was done by the chiefs to pursue the issue of MMIWG.
To contact the Grand Chief, email his assistant Kevin Carlson.
For a general inquiry, please leave a message via the Contact Us page.
Political Team
- Garrison Settee, Grand Chief
- Mary Jayne Armstrong, Senior Health Analyst
- Kevin Carlson, Assistant to the Grand Chief
- Naomi Clarke, Communications Officer
- Lucas Edmond, Policy Analyst
- Jill Macyshon, Communications Officer
- Grace Masse, Policy Analyst
- Anita Murdock, Senior Environmental and Climate Action Analyst
- Jason Neepin, Policy & Intergovernmental Relations Officer
- Nicole Settee, Administrative & Logistics Support
- Candice Schneider, Social Media Coordinator
- Dorothy Smith, Executive Assistant to the Grand Chief
- Brenda Wood, Chief of Staff
Admin & Support Staff
- Kelvin Lynxleg, Executive Director
- Brianna Aubut, Custodian
- Pierce Beardy, Office Support (Winnipeg)
- Jody Breland, Custodian (Winnipeg)
- Peter Dumas, Custodian
- Shawna Flett, Human Resources Manager (on leave)
- Carmen Genaille, Receptionist (Winnipeg)
- Virginia Goulet, Reporting Coordinator
- Rhonda Halcrow, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director
- Alex Keeper, Custodian
- Damien Lynxleg, Researcher/Document Clerk
- Miranda McIvor, Human Resources Coordinator
- Ovide McLeod, Maintenance/Office & Land-Based Support
- Summer Michelle, Receptionist (Thompson)
- Elaine Paisley, Human Resources Coordinator
- Gerry Schroeder, Maintenance Support
- Kayla Sinclair, Office Support (Winnipeg)
- Phyllis Thorne, Thompson Office Manager
Finance
- Agnes Dantouze, Finance Manager
- Hailey Cordell, Accounts Payable Clerk
- Courtney Gazandlare, Accounts Payables Officer
- Selena Hunter, Payroll & Benefits/Finance Administrator
- Gibson Reid, Payroll/Finance Admin Assistant
- Patsy Reid, Payables Clerk
- Sherry Smith, Accounts Payable & Visa Reconciliation
- Kristen Tssessaze, Accounts Payable Clerk
The ISET Program
- Jaye White, Program Director
- Bev Cameron, Finance Manager
- Dolcey Campbell, Program Coordinator for First Nations Inuit Child Care Initiative
- Jordan Easter, Program Coordinator
- Tasha Girouard, Intake Clerk (Thompson)
- Alia James, Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
- Shayna Ouskan, Project Coordinator
Emergency Management
- Ashley Desrosiers, Program Manager
- Gerry Schroeder, Regional Emergency Management Support
- Yahnel Tait, Regional Emergency Coordinator
- April Wastesicoot, Regional Emergency Coordinator
Harvesters Program
- Larry Flett, Harvesters Program Manager
- Maryssa Halkett, Project Coordinator
Identification Intake; Secure Identification Indian Status Cards
- Crystal Halcrow, Supervisor
- Tannis Henderson, SCIS Intake Clerk
Traditional Healers Program
- Shyanna Lynxleg, Traditional Healer Program Manager
- Jae-Leign Nazzie, Medical Transportation Coordinator
- Ellen Weenusk, Administrative Assistant
Path Forward for Investigations of former Indian Residential School Sites
- Naomi Clarke, IRS Project Manager
- Kwinton Cochrane, IRS Web Designer
- Alexis Lamirande, IRS Project Coordinator
- Philip Michel, IRS Traditional Elder
- Kayla Shaganash, IRS Project Researcher
- Kayla Andrews, IRS Logistics & Event Coordinator
Post Majority Support Services
- Gurpreet Khosa, Program Manager
- Victor Alvarenga, Administrative Assistant
- Jordon Big George, Family & MKO Driver
- Lacey Fourre, Post Majority Support Services Case Manager (Thompson)
- Liezl Rodriguez, Data Entry Clerk
Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Medical Transportation
- Margaret McIvor, Medical Transportation Referral Supervisor
- Nikki Clace, Medical Transportation Referral Coordinator
- Harvey Clemons, Medical Transportation Driver
- Roxanne Flett, Medical Transportation Driver
- Delaney Kennedy, Medical Transportation Referral Coordinator
- Gayla Gazandlare, Medical Transportation Coordinator
- Nicole Nattaway, Medical Transportation Coordinator
- Renee Redhead, Medical Transportation Referral Coordinator
- Paris Robinson, Medical Transportation Referral Coordinator
- Norton Ross, Medical Transportation Referral Coordinator
- Bernadine Sinclair, Medical Transportation Referral Coordinator
MMIWG
- Heidi Spence, Director
- Cade Anderson, Men & Boys Wellness Coordinator
- Marie Ballantyne, Liaison Unit Grandmother
- Francis Budd, 2-Spirit & Indigiqueer Coordinator
- Amy Carriere, Community Engagement Coordinator
- Jason Fidler, Wellness and Community Support Liaison
- Allyson Fournier, Intake Coordinator
- River Johnson, Assistant Director
- Stephanie Landherr, Intake Coordinator
- Mary Linklater, Wellness and Community Support Liaison
- Donna Samuel, Administrative & Wellness Liaison
- Jennifer Samuel, Gender Based Violence Liaison
- Christine Sawatzky, Cultural and Land-Based Support Liaison
- Chenaya Smith, Administrative Officer
- Oliver Veuillot, Assistant Director
Mobile Crisis Response Team
- Greg Fontaine, MCRT Program Manager
- Ace Campbell, 2SLGBTQ+ Crisis Response Team Member
- Candace Clemons, Crisis Response Team Member
- Kristi Fiddler, Crisis Response Team Member
- Charles Harper, Intake/Crisis Response Team Member
- Gloria Kejick, Crisis Care Coordinator
- Brenda Macumber, Crisis Response Team Member
- Tiffany Martens, Administrative Assistant
- Sharon McIvor, Crisis Response Team Member
- Nelson McKay, Crisis Response Team Member
- Sonya Nepinak, Crisis Response Team Member
- Mitchell Saunders, 2SLGBTQ+ Crisis Response Team Member
- Trevor Sinclair, Intake/Crisis Response Team Member
- Trudy Stevenson, Crisis Response Training Coordinator
- Shauna Sutherland, Crisis Response Team Member
Mental Wellness Program
- Rene Linklater, Mental Wellness Program Manager
Indigenous Health Equity Fund (IHEF)
- Rene Linklater, Program Administrator
Urban Initiative Program
- Gina Spence, Food Bank Supervisor
- Pierre Sinclair, Food Bank Intake Worker
- Cody Trout, Youth Navigator
First Nations Justice Strategy (FNJS)
- Charles Wood, Director
- Melissa Brown, Program Manager
- Elizabeth Bear, Court Worker
- Hunter Beardy, Regional Community Engagement Facilitator
- Genevieve Caribou, Community Justice Worker – Pukatawagan
- Mary Ann Colon, Court Worker
- Abigail Church, Post-Sentence Support Coordinator
- Ila Disbrowe, Community Justice Worker – Tataskweyak
- Jacqueline Genaille, Police Services Advisor
- Kelly Genaille, Regional Community Engagement Facilitator
- Darrin Halcrow, Court Worker
- Cortney Hudson, Community Justice Worker – Misipawistik
- Nitanis Leary, Gladue Pathways to Healing Initiative Program Manager
- Shania McKay, Justice Navigator
- Sylvia McKay, Justice Triage Coordinator
- Miranda McPherson, Justice Project Coordinator
- Mina Munroe, Community Justice Worker – Bunibonibee
- Tamara Nechvatal – Post Sentence Support Worker
- Stacey Rockwell, Regional Community Justice Worker – Thompson
- Crystal Roulette, Regional Community Justice Worker
- Stacey Sayese, Regional Community Engagement Facilitator
- Darren Sayies, Assistant Justice Manager
- Garrison Scott, Community Justice Worker – Thompson
- Nigel Settee, Justice Navigator
- Lorraine Spence, Administrative Assistant
- Roger Thomas, Justice Navigator
- Kyla Villeneuve, Senior Policy & Program Analyst
- Edwin Wood, Strategic Management Officer
Family First Nation Secretariat
- Colin Kinsella, Senior Policy Analyst (Acting Team Lead)
Client Navigators
- Wendy Prince, NIHB Client Navigator
- Bernice Thorassie, Senior Client Navigator
Wellbriety Centre
- Danielle Jenner, Program Coordinator
- Reggie Anderson, Safety Monitor
- Melanie Beardy, Cook
- Melinda Blacksmith, Health Care Aide
- Rochelle Blacksmith, Safety Monitor
- Nelson Cook, Safety Monitor
- Linda Fitzner, Health Care Aide
- Michelle Genaille, Wellness Mentor & Counsellor
- Mike Girouard, Assistant Coordinator
- Nathan Girouard, Safety Monitor
- Joyce Grier, Safety Monitor
- Cathee Helgason, MAP/Harm Reduction Worker (Daytime Shift Supervisor)
- Katie Ledger, Safety Monitor
- Mike Linklater, Cook
- Tyrone Linklater, Safety Monitor
- Barry Longboy, Outreach Worker/Driver
- Jimmy Muskego, Shift Manager (Overnight)
- Norma Nepton, Hifis Data Coordinator
- Kyle Paynter, Shift Manager (Evening)
- Johannes Peters, Safety Monitor
- Bill Pronteau, Safety Monitor
- Rachel Pronteau, Sabe
- Melvin Richard, Safety Monitor
- Rochelle Scott, Safety Monitor
- Anab Sheikh, Custodian (Day)
- Deka Sheikh, Custodian (Evening)
- Raj Singh, Safety Monitor
- Sandeep Singh, Safety Monitor
- Jessica Uribe, Addictions Support
- Nehmat Warring, Health Care Aide Support