Reconciliation in Action.
A Bold Vision for a Better Future.
SCO’s Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn Project Reimagines Iconic Hudson’s Bay Heritage Building After HBC Governor Makes Historic Gift
A Bold Vision for a New Future
SCO is transforming the iconic Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) heritage building in downtown Winnipeg. Working closely with HBC and our federal, provincial, and municipal Treaty partners, SCO has developed a visionary plan to turn the building into a space for economic and social reconciliation.
The Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn project is the largest redevelopment of an historic building in Manitoba. Its revitalization will help to revive Winnipeg’s downtown.
Read more about the project here.
Take Part in Red Dress Day Events
SCO is sharing information on Red Dress Day events taking place in southern Manitoba.
Red Dress Day, which is also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People, is on May 5, 2026.
Click here for a full list of events and details.
Help SCO Recognize Anishinaabe and Dakota Nurses
SCO is recognizing National Nursing Week from May 11 to 17, 2026.
During the week, there is also a special day to recognize Indigenous nurses.
SCO invites you to help celebrate Anishinaabe and Dakota nurses by sharing their photo, name, where they work, and why you want to recognize them.
Send your submissions to media@scoinc.mb.ca by end of day on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Learn more information here.
Interested in events? Visit our events webpage here!
Southern Chiefs' Organization
SCO represents 33 Anishinaabe & Dakota Nations in what is now southern Manitoba https://scoinc.mb.ca/
EMERGING EDUCATORS
Leadership from the Little Saskatchewan First Nation School wanted us to give a special shout out to a terrific trio of educational assistants.
While these young ikwe assist with the daily functions in the school, they are also forging their own education paths.
Starting in the fall, they will be moving on to post-secondary studies, with the goal of becoming full-time educators.
Nahanni Shorting has been accepted into Red River College Polytech and will study Early Childhood Education.
Jade Woodhouse plans on taking Indigenous Studies at the University of Winnipeg.
Meanwhile, Shanna-Rae Sinclair is entering the University of Manitoba’s Speech/Language Pathology Program.
All three say they love working with children and youth, and that they plan to use their own education towards careers in the classroom.
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization is delighted to highlight this wonderful group of aspiring educators. We wish them every success in their upcoming academic journeys!
#SCOINCMB #SCOYouth #SCOElders #LittleSaskatchewanFirstNation #Treatytwo #RRC #UM #UW #MFNERC #MFNSS #education #postsecondary #Manitoba
21 CommentsComment on Facebook
FREE FITNESS FOR ALL
The Swan Lake First Nation has a new and growing fitness centre for its’ members.
With Swan Lake Program Manager Cory Hobson at the helm, the facility located by the Nation’s administration building features a full range of strength and cardio training equipment.
Cory says the fitness centre, which is completely free to use, was made possible through funding from the Four Pillars Society.
He adds there are plans for expanded space and programming, as well as including boxing classes.
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) continues to promote physical activity to improve health, reduce stress, and foster youth mentorship across our 33 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations in Manitoba through our new “Movement is Medicine” partnership with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Today SCO lifts Cory Hobson and the leadership of Swan Lake First Nation, for playing their part in amplifying the health and well-being of their citizens.
#SCOINCMB #SCOYouth #SCOElders #SwanLakeFirstNation #SwanLake #WinnipegFootballClub #WinnipegBlueBombers #FortheW #MovementisMedicine #MASRC #SportManitoba #weightlifing #cardio #fitness #fitnesscentre #health #TreatyOne #Manitoba
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
JOIN SCO IN HONOURING JORDAN RIVER ANDERSON: MAY 8
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) invites you to join us for “Bear Witness Day” as we honour the life and legacy of Jordan River Anderson.
Jordan passed away at the age of five after facing barriers in accessing the care he needed.
His story sparked a movement for change and led to the creation of Jordan’s Principle—a child-first principle that ensures First Nations children can access the same public services as all other children, without delay or denial.
Today, Jordan’s Principle stands as a symbol of hope. It raises awareness and helps address the systemic inequalities First Nations children continue to face in health care, education, and social services.
Bear Witness Day is celebrated each year on May 10 because this is an important date in the history of Jordan’s Principle at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.
The Tribunal’s first non-compliance order called for Canada to fully implement Jordan’s Principle by May 10, 2016. It took several more years and many non-compliance orders (September 2016, May 2017, November 2017, November 2024, and January 2025) against Canada before real progress was made. There is more work to be done.
Bear Witness Day reminds us of our shared responsibility to ensure Jordan’s Principle is fully upheld—so every First Nations child receives the care they deserve.
While Bear Witness Day falls on May 10, SCO is inviting you to join us in celebrating Jordan River Anderson on Friday, May 8:
📍 At SCO’s office: 1572 Dublin Avenue, Winnipeg, Treaty One Territory
⏰ From 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Enjoy food and refreshments! Enter our draw for a chance to win youth door prizes and one of four $100 grocery gift cards.
To learn more about SCO’s Jordan’s Principle Program, visit: scoinc.mb.ca/jp-program/
#SCOINCMB #SCOYouth #SCOHealth #BearWitnessDay #JordanRiverAnderson #JordansPrinciple #health #BearWitnessDay #Winnipeg #Manitoba #TreatyOne
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
IT IS VISIBLE: CELEBRATING FOUR YEARS
A historic shift took place in downtown Winnipeg, Treaty One Territory just over four years ago—this shift continues to shape the future for First Nations across southern Manitoba.
In April 2022, the former Hudson’s Bay Company building was gifted to the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO).
The building is now being redeveloped under First Nations leadership as Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn, which means “it is visible.”
The site is being transformed to include affordable housing, childcare, cultural gathering spaces, and more—all grounded in Anishinaabe and Dakota values.
Construction is well underway.
Over the past few years, steady progress has been made.
As we mark this four-year anniversary, we look back on what has been accomplished and ahead to the work still to come.
This is reclamation.
This is renewal.
This is reconciliation in action.
To learn more about this exciting project, please visit: scoinc.mb.ca/wehwehneh-bahgahkinahgohn/
#SCOINCMB #SCOProjects #SCOLeadership #Anishinaabe #Dakota #FirstNations #WehwehnehBahgahkinahgohn #Wehwehneh #FirstNationsEmployment #economicreconciliation #ecdev #reconciliation #business #economy #finditdowntown #housing #affordablehousing #development #sustainability #resilience #strength #rising #transformation #Winnipeg #TreatyOne #Manitoba
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
VOICES OF YOUTH
This week, thousands of people from across Turtle Island took part in events to mark Red Dress Day.
It is also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two Spirit, and Gender-Diverse People (#MMIWG2S+).
Students from the Sargent Tommy Prince School in the Brokenhead Ojibway First Nation joined their teachers and support staff in a ceremonial walk through their Nation, calling for an end to the national emergency of MMIWG2S+.
Gender-based violence continues to disproportionately impact our peoples and Nations, including citizens of ALL ages.
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) commends the young ones in Brokenhead for adding their voices to the collective call for meaningful change and healing.
To lean about SCO’s MMIWG2S+ Support Program, visit our website: scoinc.mb.ca/mmiwg2s-support-program/
#SCOINCMB #SCOYouth #SCOElders #BrokenheadOjibwayFirstNation #Brokenhead #BON #STPS #MMIWG2S+ #MMIWG #MMIMB #RedDressDay #CallsforJustice #RedDressAlert #TreatyOne #Manitoba #Canada
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Media
SCO represents 33 Anishinaabe and Dakota First Nations in what is now southern Manitoba. Browse our news archive and stay up-to-date on coverage of our work to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance the lives and rights of First Nations peoples.
Programs and Services
SCO works to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance the inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions of Anishinaabe and Dakota citizens, by working in critical areas such as Child and Family Services, Health Transformation, Justice, Water and Environment, Harm Reduction, Jordan’s Principle, Crisis Response, Non-Insured Health Benefits, Status Card and IDs, and First Nations Veterans.
Education
We compiled a comprehensive resource list to help you find financial supports for post-secondary education, including scholarships, bursaries, awards, and the Canada Learning Bond.
You can also access information on residential and day schools, the Sixties Scoop, MMIWG2S+, getting help on government programs and services, anti-racism, as well as information on how to get your benefits, and a curated list to read, watch, and listen!