Grand Chief Garrison Settee is pleased to announce the addition of Mark Sweeny to the team at Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), effective today, January 18, 2021. He joins MKO as Assistant to the Grand Chief.
Mark was born and raised in Cross Lake, Manitoba and is a member of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake Band of Indians). His 23-year career in the energy sector has provided opportunities for professional and personal growth and development.
With four years of experience providing strategic leadership supporting Indigenous engagement at Manitoba Hydro, Mark fostered support and integration of Indigenous ways of knowing within Manitoba Hydro. Guided by, working with, and supported by Elders and Knowledge Keepers, Mark worked to actively engage with Indigenous leaders of First Nations across Manitoba. Critical to his role was his capacity to improve supports for Indigenous employees, customers, and stakeholders. Mark successfully developed partnerships with Manitoba Hydro senior leaders by increasing awareness and understanding of Indigenous culture, business practices, and respecting communication channels.
Mark is also active in his community and has served on a number of boards and committees. He has served on the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce’s Truth and Reconciliation Advisory Committee to help develop a road map for the business community to act on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Mark was also on the Board of Governors of A Port in the Storm, which was an organization that provided a safe haven for rural and Northern people requiring medical care in Winnipeg. In 2019, Mark became a member of the Board of Governors of the Manito Ahbee Festival.
An active trapper, fisherman, and hunter and fluent in the Cree language, Mark strives to be a resource for the Indigenous leadership, First Nations, and organizations in Manitoba.
Please join the Grand Chief in welcoming Mark to our MKO team.
