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 First Nation, Leaf Rapids
- Manto Sipi Cree Nation, God’s River
- Marcel Colomb First Nation, Lynn Lake
- Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, Pukatawagan
- Misipawistik Cree Nation, Grand Rapids
- Mosakahiken First 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
- Sherridon First Nation
- Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Split Lake
- York Factory First Nation, York Landing
- War Lake First Nation, Ilford
- White Water Reserve, Saskatchewan
- Wuskwi Sipihk Cree Nation
| Independent First Nations | |
|---|---|
| Chief Marcel Moody NISICHAWAYASIHK CREE NATION Nelson House, MB R0B 1A0 Phone: 484-2332 Fax: 484-2392 |
Chief Larson R. Anderson NORWAY HOUSE CREE NATION Norway House, MB R0B 1B0 Phone: 359-6786 Fax: 359-4186 |
| Chief David A. Monias PIMICIKAMAK CREE NATION Cross Lake, MB R0B 0J0 Phone: 676-3133 Fax: 676-3155 |
Chief Shirley Ducharme O-PIPON-NA-PIWIN CREE NATION Box 25 South Indian Lake, MB R0B 1N0 Phone: 374-2271 Fax: 374-2350 |
| Keewatin Tribal Council Members | |
| Chief Michael Sewap BARREN LANDS FIRST NATION Brochet, MB R0B 0B0 Phone: 323-2300 Fax: 323-2275 |
Chief Richard Hart BUNIBONIBEE CREE NATION OxfordHouse, MB R0B 1C0 Phone: 538-2282 Fax: 538-2220 |
| Chief Morris Beardy FOX LAKE CREE NATION Box 369Gilliam, MB R0B 0L0 Phone: 486-2463 Fax: 486-2503 |
Chief Hubert Watt GOD’S LAKE FIRST NATION God’s Lake Narrows, MB R0B 0M0 Phone: 335-2130 Fax: 335-2400 |
| Chief Michael Yellowback MANTO SIPI CREE NATION God’s River, MB R0B 0N0 Phone: 366-2011 Fax: 366-2282 |
Chief Simon Denechezhe NORTHLANDS FIRST NATION Lac Brochet, MB R0B 2E0 Phone: 337-2111 Fax: 337-2055 |
| Chief Evan Yassie SAYISI DENE DENESULINE NATION Tadoule Lake, MB R0B2C0 Phone: 684-2022 Fax: 684-2069 |
Chief Jordna Hill SHAMATTAWA FIRST NATION Shamattawa, MB R0B 1K0 Phone: 565-2340 Fax: 565-2606 |
| Chief Doreen Spence TATASKWEYAK CREE NATION Split Lake, MB R0B 1P0 Phone: 342-2045 Fax: 342-2270 |
Chief Betsy Kennedy WAR LAKE FIRST NATION Ilford, MB R0B 0S0 Phone: 288-4315 Fax: 288-4371 |
| Chief Darryl Wastesicoot YORK FACTORY FIRST NATION York Landing, MB R0B 2B0 Phone: 341-2180 Fax: 341-2322 |
|
| Swampy Cree Tribal Council Members | |
| Chief Clarence Easter CHEMAWAWIN CREE NATION Easterville, MB R0C 0V0 Phone: 329-2161 Fax: 329-2017 |
Chief Christopher Colomb MARCEL COLOMB FIRST NATION Lynn Lake, MB R0B 0W0 Phone: 356-2439 Fax: 356-2330 |
| Chief Lorna Bighetty MATHIAS COLOMB CREE NATION Pukatawagan, MB R0B 1G0 Phone: 553-2090 Fax: 553-2419 |
Chief Heidi Cook MISIPAWISTIK CREE NATION Box 500 Grand Rapids, MB R0C 1E0 Phone: 639-2485 Fax: 639-2503 |
| Chief Vincent Bercier MOSAKAHIKEN FIRST NATION Moose Lake, MB R0B 0Y0 Phone: 678-2113 Fax: 678-2292 |
Chief Sidney Ballantyne OPASKWAYAK CREE NATION Box 10880 Opaskwayak, MB R0B 2J0 Phone: 627-7100 Fax: 623-3819 |
| Chief Nelson Genaille SAPOTAWEYAK CREE NATION Pelican Rapids, MB R0B 1L0 Phone: 587-2012 Fax: 587-2072 |
Chief Elwood Zastre WUSKWI SIPIHK CREE NATION Box 65 Birch River, MB R0B 0E0 Phone: 236-4201 Fax: 236-4786 |
| Recognized by the MKO Chiefs in Assembly as a First Nation and as a Member of MKO | |
| Mathias Colomb Cree Nation Representative Headman Clarence Bighetty GRANVILLE LAKE FIRST NATION Leaf Rapids, MB R0B 1W0 Phone: 204-473-6002 email: [email protected] |
Headman Floyd North SHERRIDON FIRST NATION Sherridon, Manitoba R0B 1L0 Phone: 468-2136 email: [email protected] |
| WHITE WATER RESERVE Box130 Sandy Bay, SK S0P 0G0 Phone: (306) 754-0070 Fax: (306) 754-2257 |
|
| Members of the Executive Council | |
| Chief Marcel Moody NISICHAWAYASIHK CREE NATION |
Chief Larson R. Anderson NORWAY HOUSE CREE NATION |
| Chief David A. Monias PIMICIKAMAK CREE NATION |
Chief Shirley Ducharme O-PIPON-NA-PIWIN CREE NATION |
| Chief Simon Denechezhe NORTHLANDS FIRST NATION |
Chief Doreen Spence TATASKWEYAK CREE NATION |
| Chief Nelson Genaille SAPOTAWEYAK CREE NATION |
|
Our First Nations leaders provide specific mandates and direction to Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) through resolutions. Our resolutions are posted in PDF format for the following years:
2021
- 2021 AGA Resolutions
- 2021 Chiefs Assembly on Transformation (November 2021)
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
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 elected as Grand Chief of MKO in August 2018. He was re-elected for a second term in August 2021. 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.
OATH OF OFFICE
GRAND CHIEF
MANITOBA KEEWATINOWI OKIMAKANAK, INC.
I, Garrison Settee, duly elected by the Chiefs and Councillors of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak on this 8th day of August of 2018, recognize and accept;
- That any authority the MKO Grand Chief may have shad derive exclusively and entirely from authority granted from time to time by the MKO Chiefs in Assembly, and
- That as a leader who exercises mandates, authority, responsibilities and duties delegated by the MKO Chiefs in Assembly, the MKO Grand Chief holds a sacred political trust to comply in every respect with the direction given by the MKO Chiefs in Assembly and the MKO Executive Council.
and promise;
- To uphold the Constitution of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak,
- To uphold and to implement the direction given by the MKO Chiefs in Assembly and by the MKO Executive Council,
- To uphold the inherent rights, Customary Laws, sovereignty and authority of the MKO First Nations,
- To protect and ensure the exercise of the Treaty Rights of our First Nations,
- To promote a quality of life and well-being acceptable to the people of the MKO First Nations,
- To promote the safety and security of the people of the MKO First Nations,
- To protect and promote the fundamental human rights of the people of the MKO First Nations and the dignity and worth of the human person, and
- To recognize and protect the equal rights of the men, women, youth and children of the MKO First Nations and of our First Nations large and small, to the best of my ability as Grand Chief
Whereas the Creator defines our laws, rights and responsibilities, and drawing from this source, I pledge to honour and to give my full commitment to my obligations as delegated to me by the MKO Chiefs in Assembly at this 37th MKO Annual General Assembly.
For a general inquiry, please leave a message via the Contact Us page.
Political Team
- Garrison Settee, Grand Chief
- Mark Sweeny, Assistant to the Grand Chief
- Dorothy Smith, Executive Assistant
- Dr. Stewart Hill, Senior Research and Policy Analyst
- Melanie Ferris, Director of Communications
- Brennan Manoakeesick, Chief of Staff
- Brenda Wood, Senior Health Analyst
Admin Staff
- Kelvin Lynxleg, Executive Director
- Virginia Goulet, Assistant to the Executive Director
- Shawna Flett, Human Resources
- Pat Godin, Receptionist
- Bernice Thorassie, Client Navigator
- Candice Schneider, Administrative Assistant/Receptionist
- Jaiden Sandberg, Communications Assistant
- Agnes Dantouze, Finance Manager
- Selena Hunter, Payroll & Benefits/Finance Administrator
- Courtney Gazandlare, Accounts Payables Officer
- Lacey Fourre, Finance Clerk
- Rosalind McKay, Finance Clerk
- Hann Chong, Cypher, IT Consultation
- Melvin Halkett, Maintenance and Facilities Worker
- Jordan Big George, Scanner and Custodian
- Carmen Genaille, Scanner
Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin (KIM)
- Dr. Barry Lavallee, Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin (KIM) Chief Executive Officer
- Moriah Davis, Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin (KIM) Chief Operations Officer
- Sarah Cook, Chief Financial Officer
- Joni Wilson, Executive Director
- Kathleen North, Director, Jordan’s Principle
- Brian Flamand, Administrative Coordinator
- Marcie Friesen, Administrative Assistant
- Dr. Yvette Emerson, Medical Advisor
- Dr. Michael Routledge, Medical Officer of Health
- Caroline Chartrand, Senior Nurse Advisor in First Nations Health
- Catherine Stadnichuck, Planning and Organizational Development Coordinator
- Joanna Thich, Registered Dietician
- Diane Kelly, Director of Governance
Anti Indigenous Racism Office
- Piper Riley Thompson, Lawyer
The ISET Program
- Loretta Rudrum, ISET Senior Program Director
- Jaye White, ISET Program Director
- Yahnel Tait, ISET Lead Program Coordinator
- Wade McKay, ISET Program Coordinator
- Carolyn Peckford, ISET Program Coordinator (Child Care)
- Sherry Smith, ISET Finance Administrator
- Suzanne MacPherson, ISET Employment and Training Specialist
- Cassie Teichroeb, ISET Intake /Admin Assistant
- Lawrence Rudrum, ISET Project Lead
- Josephine Ouskun, ISET Project Assistant
Identification Intake; Secure Identification Indian Status Cards
- Gina Spence, Supervisor
- Maggie Dettanikkeaze, Administrative Assistant
- Alexandra Jonasson, SCIS Intake Clerk
- Damien Lynxleg, SCIS Intake Clerk
Thompson Urban Aboriginal Strategy (TUAS)
- Gina Spence, TUAS Coordinator
- Maggie Dettanikkeaze, Administrative Assistant
Traditional Healers Program
- Duke Beardy, Traditional Healer Program Manager
- Nora Ross, Traditional Healer Program Administrative Assistant
- Patsy Reid, Traditional Healer Benefits Analyst
MMIWG
- Heidi Spence, MMIWG Liaison/Director
- Jacquie Ogemow, MMIWG Executive Assistant
- Jennifer Samuel, MMIWG Office and Community Liaison
- Marie Ballantyne, MMIWG Liaison Unit Grandmother
- Tamra Keeper, MMIWG2S Cultural and Land Based Initiatives Coordinator
- Sherry Gott, MMIWG2S Prevention and Healing Initiatives Coordinator
- Angela Levasseur, MMIWG Project Coordinator and Researcher, Support for Well-being of Families and Survivors MMIWG2S
- Amy Carriere, MMIWG Wellness and Community Support Liaison
- Kelly Gossfeld, MMIWG Decolonizing Anti-Racism Coordinator
- Isabel Daniels, MMIWG Cultural and Land Based Support Coordinator
- Allyson Fournier, IRS/IDS MMIWG2S+ Support Worker
- Oliver Veuillot, MMIWG Project and Event/Finance Coordinator
Urban Initiative Program
- Shyanna Lynxleg, Urban Initiative Manager
- Bill Pronteau, Food Bank Intake Worker
- Matthew McGillvray, Food Bank Intake Worker
- Courtney Saunders, Urban Initiative 26 Feathers Store Supervisor
- Pierre Sinclair, 26 Feathers Store Retail Clerk
Justice
- Edwin Wood, Justice Program Manager
- Rachel Moose, Justice Program Assistant Manager
- Kayla Andrews, Justice Program Administrative Assistant
- Hiliary Wood, Youth Engagement Worker
- Robert Paul, Gladue Case Conference Coordinator
First Nations Justice (FNJS)
- Kimberly Beardy, Regional Community Justice Worker – Thompson
- Hunter Settee-Beardy, Term Regional Community Justice Worker – Thompson
- Tammy Weenusk, FNJS Community Justice Worker – Bunibonibee
- Deborah Patchinose, FNJS Community Justice Worker – Chemawawin
- Cortney Hudson, FNJS Community Justice Worker – Misipawistik
- Terry Linklater, FNJS Community Justice Worker – Nisichawayasihk
- Louise Denechezhe, FNJS Community Justice Worker – Northlands
- Edward Cook, FNJS Community Justice Worker – Sapotaweyak
- Emily Powderhorn, FNJS Community Justice Worker – Sayisi Dene
- Raymond Dumas, FNJS Community Justice Worker – Mathias Colomb
Child and Family Services
- Chris Baker, Lead Negotiator – Northern Authority
Child Welfare Secretariat
- Shirley Allarie, Child Welfare Secretariat Director
- Colin Kinsella, CWS Senior Policy Analyst
- Rena Stevenson, CWS Senior Advisor
- Janine Spence, CWS Research Assistant
- Corine Spence, CWS Research Analyst
- Michael Spence, CWS Wellness Worker
Mobile Crisis Response Team
- Greg Fontaine, Acting MCRT Manager
- Virginia Nataweyous, Crisis Response Team Intake and Deployment Coordinator
- Virginia Moore, MCRT & Mental Health Administrative Assistant
- Theresa Henderson, Crisis Response Team Member
- Gloria Kejick, Crisis Response Team Member
- Janet Head, Crisis Response Team Member
- Trudy Stevenson, Crisis Response Team Member
- Michele Genaille, Crisis Response Team Member
- Trevor Sinclair, Crisis Response Team Member
- Gregory Anderson, Crisis Response Team Member
- Stephanie Landherr, Crisis Response Team Member
- Trevor Constant, Crisis Response Team Member
- Paulene Ballantyne, Crisis Response Team Member
- Chris Chubb, Crisis Response Team Member
- Michelle Mainville, Crisis Response Team Member
- Darlene Spence, Crisis Response Team Member
- Joy Budd, Crisis Response Team Member
Minoayawin Keewatinowi Askik
- Roxanne Balan, Minoayawin Keewatinowi Askik Project Manager