Read our media releases and news coverage on COVID-19.
For 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 to or removed from MKO’s media list, email Melanie. - For Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin (KIM) or Dr. Barry Lavallee, please contact Annica Ramkissoon by phone at 204-770-4761 or by email.
If you would like to be added to or removed from KIM’s media list, email Annica.
Senator Joins Indigenous Leadership Response to “Freedom Convoy”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2022 Treaty One Territory, Manitoba - The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), the Manitoba Read More...
MKO and KIM to Host Engagement Session About Health Services in Leaf Rapids in Northern Manitoba
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release January 25, 2022 Read More...
MKO Urges Province to Transform Health Care to Assist Citizens in Leaf Rapids
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release January 19, 2022 Read More...
Statement About the Ongoing Closure of the Leaf Rapids Health Centre: MKO Extremely Concerned about Safety of Citizens who Need Health Services
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release January 10, 2022 Read More...
Northern Leaders Emphasize Importance of Proactive Measures on One-Year Anniversary of COVID-19 Vaccines Arriving in Manitoba First Nations
For a PDF version of this media release, please click here. For immediate release January 7, 2022 Treaty Five Read More...
MKO Statement on COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 5 to 11
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release November 23, 2021 Read More...
Norway House Cree Nation Statement on COVID-19 Outbreak
For immediate release October 14, 2021 Treaty Five Territory, Norway House Cree Nation, MB – Norway House Cree Read More...
MKO Statement on Expanded Eligibility for COVID-19 Vaccines: All Indigenous Peoples Ages 18 and Over Now Able to Book Appointment
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release May 3, 2021 Read More...
Pimicikamak Update on COVID-19: First Nation Hosts Vaccination Clinic at Cross Lake Arena This Week
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release April 27, 2021 Read More...
MKO Update on COVID-19 in Northern Manitoba: Grand Chief Urges Eligible Citizens to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release April 27, 2021 Read More...
MKO Statement on Earth Day: Grand Chief Settee Urges Culture and Language Revitalization as One Step in Protecting Mother Earth
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release April 22, 2021 Read More...
MKO Statement on First COVID-19 Variant in Northern Manitoba: Grand Chief Encourages Citizens to Remain Vigilant
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release April 14, 2021 Read More...
MKO Statement on World Water Day: Every Home in MKO Territory Should Have Access to Treated, Piped Water
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release March 22, 2021 Read More...
MKO Reflects on One Year of Living with COVID-19: Grand Chief Settee Honours MKO Citizens for Diligence Over Last Year
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release March 11, 2021 Read More...
MKO Launches Survey for Youth Ages 12 to 18 to Gather Insights on Support Needed as COVID-19 Pandemic Continues
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. March 17, 2021 EDIT: The survey is Read More...
MKO Update on COVID-19 Vaccines: First Nations People in Manitoba Age 75 and Older Now Eligible to Book Vaccination Appointments
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release February 25, 2021 Read More...
MKO Statement on Distinction-Based Indigenous Health Legislation
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release February 19, 2021 Treaty Five Read More...
MKO Update on COVID-19 Outbreak and Vaccines in Northern Manitoba: Mobile Crisis Response Team Available to Assist First Nations During Pandemic
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release February 16, 2021 Treaty Five Read More...
COVID-19 Updates from First Nations in Manitoba: MKO Urges Increased Access to Vaccines to Protect First Nations Citizens
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. Photo credit: The header photo is by Dene Read More...
MKO’s Statement on High Rates of COVID-19 in Northern Manitoba: Placing Blame on First Nations Leadership Harmful During Fight Against Deadly Virus
To read this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release January 21, 2021 Read More...
MKO Update on COVID-19 Vaccines in Northern Manitoba: Northern Chiefs Encourage Citizens to Continue Following Public Health Measures
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release January 19, 2021 Read More...
MKO Statement on High Rates of COVID-19 in Northern Manitoba: Action Needed to Address Ongoing Systemic Issues Impacting the Health of Northern Citizens
For immediate release January 14, 2021 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. is issuing this Read More...
MKO Statement on the Arrival of COVID-19 Vaccines in Northern Manitoba
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release January 12, 2021 Read More...
Norway House Cree Nation Statement on COVID-19 Vaccines
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. Photo in banner is of Veronica Apetagon, one Read More...
Pimicikamak Statement on COVID-19 Vaccines
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release January 7, 2021 Read More...
MKO Statement on COVID-19 Vaccines for Northern Manitoba
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release January 6, 2021 Read More...
MKO Statement on Health Canada’s Approval of the Moderna Vaccine
For immediate release December 23, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. is issuing this Read More...
MKO Unclear on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plans for Northern and Remote First Nations in Manitoba
To view this post in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release December 17, 2020 Treaty Read More...
MKO Expects Provincial and Federal Governments to Include First Nations Health Experts from Manitoba in COVID-19 Vaccine Planning
For immediate release December 9, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. is issuing this Read More...
MKO Urges Premier of Manitoba to Issue Public Apology and to Work in Partnership with First Nations on Plan for COVID-19 Vaccine
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release December 8, 2020 Read More...
MKO Statement on COVID-19 in Northern Manitoba
For immediate release December 7, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. is issuing this Read More...
MKO Statement on the COVID-19 Outbreak in Shamattawa First Nation
For immediate release December 5, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. is issuing this Read More...
MKO Statement on the COVID-19 Vaccine in Manitoba
For immediate release December 3, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. is issuing this Read More...
First Nations Urge Prime Minister of Canada to Address Uncontrolled COVID-19 Outbreak at Keeyask Construction Site in Manitoba
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release November 4, 2020 Read More...
First Nations Urge Province of Manitoba to Immediately Declare Keeyask Construction Site as Having an Uncontrolled COVID-19 Outbreak
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release November 2, 2020 Read More...
First Nations Demand Aggressive Action from Manitoba Hydro: Uncontrolled COVID-19 Outbreak Detected at Keeyask Construction Site
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release October 31, 2020 Read More...
MKO Statement on Increasing COVID-19 Cases in Manitoba
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release October 30, 2020 Read More...
Sapotaweyak Cree Nation Announces Two COVID-19 Cases: First Nation Moves into Orange (Restricted) Level to Protect Community Members
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release October 30, 2020 Read More...
MKO Responds to New Public Health Orders for Northern Manitoba: Increased Restrictions Coming into Force on Monday, October 26, 2020
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release October 22, 2020 Treaty Five Read More...
First Nation Citizens in Manitoba Urged to Get the Flu Shot: Protecting Ourselves and Our Loved Ones
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release October 19, 2020 Treaty One Read More...
Update on COVID-19 at the Thompson YWCA: Potential Exposure from October 4 to 14, 2020
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release October 16, 2020 Read More...
MKO Concerned with Rising Cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba: Manitoba Residents Encouraged to Remain Vigilant to Reduce the Spread of the Virus
If you want to view this Media Release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release October Read More...
“Breathe” – Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin PSA Released
The new First Nations health entity, Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin Inc. (KIM), is pleased to announce the premiere of “Breathe”, a Read More...
MKO Statement on Confirmed COVID Cases in Northern First Nations
For immediate release September 28, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. is responding to Read More...
First Nations Citizens Encouraged to Keep Manitoba Health Cards Up to Date
For immediate release September 25, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – The leaders of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. Read More...
MKO Pleased Public Health Orders Restricting Travel to Northern Manitoba Coming into Effect on September 4, 2020
NOTE: A previous version of this media release incorrectly stated that the public health orders restricting travel would be going Read More...
Grand Chiefs Urge for Reintroduction of Northern Travel Order
For immediate release August 22, 2020 Winnipeg, MB Treaty 1 Territory - Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee Read More...
MKO Statement on the Return to Schools in Northern Manitoba
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release August 18, 2020 Read More...
MKO Encourages Northern First Nations to Remain Vigilant Amongst Growing Rates of COVID-19 in Manitoba
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release August 10, 2020 Read More...
Supporting First Nations Citizens Experiencing Homelessness: MKO Pleased to Provide Funding to YWCA Thompson
To view this media release in a PDF format, please click here. For immediate release August 5, 2020 Read More...
NCI Radio Call-In Show: Exploring Harm Reduction from a First Nations Perspective
A new radio show is airing this week on harm reduction. The show will feature Knowledge Keepers, medical experts, and Read More...
MKO Statement on the Province of Manitoba’s Phase Two Re-Opening Plan
To view this media release in a PDF form, please click here. For immediate release May 28, 2020 Read More...
Agreement Reached for Keeyask Construction Site
For immediate release May 24, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. is issuing this Read More...
Manitoba Hydro Bringing up to 1200 Staff to Northern Manitoba Today Amidst Travel Restrictions and Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic
Photo taken at the lock down at Tataskweyak Cree Nation on May 18, 2020. To view this media release Read More...
KTC: Manitoba Hydro Risks the Safety of all Northerners
Media Release from the Keewatin Tribal Council. To view this release as a PDF, please click here. TREATY FIVE Read More...
Protecting our People from COVID-19: Tataskweyak Cree Nation Implementing Lock Down in Response to Manitoba Hydro Operations
For immediate release May 15, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) is issuing this Read More...
Sixteen Off-Reserve First Nations Citizens Diagnosed with COVID-19 in Manitoba
This media release can be viewed in PDF form here. For immediate release May 15, 2020 Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg, Read More...
MKO Pleased Province of Manitoba is Collecting and Sharing First Nations-Specific Data during COVID-19 Pandemic
For immediate release May 6, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) is issuing this Read More...
MKO Encourages Province of Manitoba to Continue Prohibiting Travel to Northern Manitoba to Reduce Spread of COVID-19
For immediate release April 28, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) is urging the Read More...
MKO Concerned Funding for Urban Indigenous Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Insufficient
For immediate release April 23, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) is expressing concerns Read More...
Updated Public Health Orders Restrict Travel in Northern Manitoba
For immediate release April 15, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) is responding to Read More...
COVID-19 Pandemic Amplifies Need for Reliable Internet and Phone Service in Northern Manitoba
For immediate release April 7, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) is issuing a Read More...
Lack of Housing in Northern First Nations Impacts Ability to Self-Isolate
For immediate release April 2, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) is issuing a Read More...
Protecting First Nations in the Time of COVID-19: MKO Continues to Advocate for Northern Manitoba
For immediate release March 31, 2020 Treaty Five Territory, Thompson, MB – Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) is issuing this Read More...