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.
End Legislated Discrimination
SCO is calling on Members of Parliament (MPs) to end the second-generation cut-off in The Indian Act.
The second-generation cut-off is discriminatory. It keeps many First Nations people with status from passing entitlement on to their children and grandchildren.
Southern First Nations have the inherent right and authority to determine our own citizenship and eligibility for registration.
MPs have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to correct this injustice.
Join SCO in calling for an end to the second-generation cut-off. Take action today. Learn about how you can help 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/
SCO CALLS ON PARLIAMENT TO ADVANCE BILL S-2 AND END DISCRIMINATORY STATUS RULES
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is renewing its call for Parliament to advance Bill S-2: An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements) and ensure the legislation fully ends the discriminatory second-generation cut-off.
SCO’s call comes following recent national reporting that Member of Parliament Billy Morin, the former Chief of Enoch Cree Nation and federal Conservative critic for Indigenous Services, has raised the issue with Prime Minister Mark Carney after more than 4000 letters were reportedly sent to the House of Commons committee studying Bill S-2.
SCO’s call also follows recent comments from federal Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, who has not committed to passing the Senate-amended version of Bill S-2, even as pressure continues to mount from First Nations leaders, families, advocates, and parliamentarians to end the second-generation cut-off.
“For generations, Canada has used the Indian Act to decide who is and who is not recognized as First Nations. That authority does not belong with Canada,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels.
“Bill S-2 must move forward in a way that ends the second-generation cut-off, supports a one-parent rule, and respects the inherent right of First Nations to determine our own citizens.”
Read our full statement on our website at: scoinc.mb.ca/sco-calls-to-advance-bill-s2/
#SCOINCMB #SCOYouth #FirstNations #Indigenous #status #rights #identity #endlegislativediscrimination #ISC #secondgenerationcutoff #Section10 #federalgovernment #government #leadership #Treaty #Treaties #Manitoba #Canada
SCO Calls on Parliament to Advance Bill S-2 and End Discriminatory Status Rules
scoinc.mb.ca
“First Nations families should not have to wait another generation for Canada to correct discrimination it has already acknowledged.” ~Grand Chief Jerry Daniels FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15…0 CommentsComment on Facebook
GRAND CHIEF JERRY DANIELS BRINGS GREETINGS AT CANADA–MEXICO INDIGENOUS ROUNDTABLE
Grand Chief Jerry Daniels was honoured to bring greetings on behalf of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) and the 33 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations we represent at the 2026 Canada–Mexico Binational Indigenous/Intercultural Roundtable at the University of Manitoba.
The gathering brings together Indigenous leaders, students, scholars, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and partners from Canada and Mexico to strengthen relationships, support Indigenous-led learning, and advance opportunities rooted in respect and reciprocity.
Grand Chief Daniels spoke on the importance of respecting Indigenous knowledge systems, languages, laws, ceremonies, and research approaches within education and international partnerships.
SCO is proud to support spaces that support First Nations students, build cross-border relationships, and create meaningful opportunities for future generations.
#SCOINCMB #UM #CanadaMexicoIndigenousRoundtable #law #research #international #UniversityofManitoba #partnerships #innovation #FirstNations #Canada
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
CLASS ACTS
Graduation season is now upon us, and today we shine the spotlight on the Class of 2026 from the Rolling River First Nation.
Rolling River students attend school in nearby Erickson. This year, nine of them are graduating from the collegiate.
Pictured here are grade 12 students Reese Tessier, Avery Huntinghawk, and Sierra Shurvell.
The remaining grads (not pictured) are David Courchene, Adam Shingoose, Daniel Lépine, Blake Wilson, Kohen Huntinhawk, and Ayden Medicine.
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization continues to celebrate citizens of our member Nations who are graduating at all levels.
Today we congratulate the young scholars of the Rolling River First Nation and wish them every success in their post-secondary plans and adventures.
#SCOINCMB #SCOYouth #FirstNations #RollingRiverFirstNation #RollingRiver #grads #graduates #grad2026 #graduation #congrats #education #school #learning #TreatyFour #Manitoba
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
CELEBRATING SCO’S CHANGEMAKERS
June is Indigenous History Month. Throughout the month, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is proudly celebrating the remarkable citizens who are making a positive impact across our member Nations.
We have been shining a spotlight on SCO Changemakers whose dedication, leadership, and contributions continue to strengthen their Nations and inspire future generations.
In case you missed them, here are the 15 incredible people we have featured so far:
~Elder Axel Flett, Berens River First Nation
~Connor Hanska, Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation
~Lakota Lacquette, Black River First Nation
~Chief Lawrence Letander, Dauphin River First Nation
~Larry Blackbird, Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation
~Judge Jerilee Ryle, Lake St. Martin First Nation
~Dakota Eischen, Little Grand Rapids First Nation
~Jamie Mousseau, Long Plain First Nation
~Taylor (Ishkode) Catcheway, Minegoziibe Anishinabe
~McKenzie McDonald, O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation
~Danisse Gould, Pinaymootang First Nation
~Ali Fontaine, Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation
~Blaine Catcheway, Skownan First Nation
~Morgan Lynxleg, Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve
~Joe Gambler, Waywayseecappo First Nation
Follow the #SCOChangemaker hashtag and stay tuned to SCO’s social media channels as we continue to share profiles of more SCO citizens throughout Indigenous History Month.
#SCOINCMB #SCOChangemaker #FirstNation #NationalIndigenousHistoryMonth #NIHM #Indigenous #Manitoba
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
SCO WELCOMES HISTORIC, 356-YEAR-OLD ROYAL CHARTER TO MANITOBA
Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) was on hand for the historic unveiling of the Royal Charter at the Manitoba Museum in Treaty One Territory.
The Royal Charter is a 356-year-old document! King Charles II issued the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) Royal Charter in 1670.
It granted the HBC a massive land grant that encompassed the entire Hudson Bay watershed—an area roughly two-thirds of what we now call Canada. It included exclusive trading rights.
The Royal Charter reflects the damaging belief that this land was vacant and free for the taking.
Canada later bought the lands from the HBC, without recognizing our ancestors who originally occupied the land.
It is a significant document for Canada, and an important part of our colonial history.
Two families—the Westons and Thomsons—recently bought the Charter for $18 million.
They have donated the charter to a Consortium made up of the:
~Manitoba Museum
~ Archives of Manitoba
~ Canadian Museum of History
~ Royal Ontario Museum
These four museums will take turns displaying the document. They are working together to provide the best care to preserve this old document.
Chief Tréchelle Bunn of Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation, Chief Gordon Bluesky of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Youth Chief Lacy Bird of Black River First Nation, and former Assembly of First Nations National Chief Ovide Mercredi attended the event alongside Her Honour, Anita R. Neville, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba.
The ceremony marked the transfer of the charter into public care. Speakers reflected on its significant history and ongoing impact.
Displaying the Royal Charter makes the realities of colonial history visible and undeniable. It strengthens public awareness by confronting how this land was taken and supports reconciliation through truth-telling and accountability.
As the charter is now shared with the public, it also creates space to connect with initiatives like SCO’s Wehwehneh Bahgahkinagohn project—a gift from the HBC that supports telling our stories from our perspective.
Combined, these efforts help ensure history is not only preserved, but understood, as we continue advancing reconciliation.
***
Learn more about the SCO’s Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn project by visiting our website at: scoinc.mb.ca/a-new-future-wehwehneh-bahgahkinahgohn
#SCOINCMB #HBC #WehwehnehBahgahkinagohn #RoyalCharter #HudsonsBayCompany #TreatyOne #sharedhistory #ManitobaMuseum #Winnipeg #FirstNations #socialchange #worldchanging #economicreconciliation #TreatyOne #Manitoba
2 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!