SCO Changemakers 2025

Chief Bunn is likely the youngest Chief in Canada, the first female Chief of her Nation, an accomplished athlete, law student, and the founder of the annual Reconciliation Run to honour Survivors of residential school and those who didn’t make it home.

Her accomplishments and advocacy are incredible. SCO is excited to see what accomplishments she will continue to make in her new role as Chief.

At just 18 years old, Billy is already walking the path of leadership as the recently-elected male Youth Chief of SCO. Pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a double major in Economics and Finance at the University of Winnipeg, Billy’s vision is to one day serve as Chief of Peguis First Nation. He hopes to build a business that uplifts Indigenous communities through economic development and self-sufficiency.

Billy also worked with Hui Mālama I Ke Ala ʻŪlili, a grassroots Hawaiian non-profit organization focused on land revitalization and sovereignty. While there, he helped restore ancestral lands and learned about the deep relationship between Indigenous peoples and their territories.

In response to the fires across Manitoba, students, teachers, and community members from Peguis First Nation came together to assist—helping set up cots and provide support for wildfire evacuees. Among those lending a hand was SCO Youth Chief Billy Bird, standing shoulder to shoulder with his peers. SCO is honoured to support Billy’s journey and looks forward to the impact he will continue to make as a young leader in our Nations.

At the young age of 16, Lacy is already making a powerful impact in her leadership role.

In the last week alone, Youth Chief Bird travelled to Ottawa to stand alongside Grand Chief Daniels and First Nations leaders from across the country, using her voice to reach international media as she advocated for her fellow youth and reaffirmed Indigenous sovereignty during His Majesty King Charles III’s visit to Canada to read the Speech from the Throne; stepped up with enthusiasm to assist people impacted by the fire evacuations—paying particular attention to the well-being of children and young people; and led the way for SCO’s float at the Winnipeg Pride Parade, dancing beautifully in 30 Celcius degree weather in Treaty One Territory.

Youth Chief Lacy Bird’s voice, leadership, and dedication embody the strength and future of our Nations.  SCO is so proud and honoured to support her journey. The Youth Chief’s many cheerleaders look forward to celebrating the accomplishments she will continue to make throughout her term.

An educator for close to 30 years, Delores teaches Anishinaabemowin to the students of Isaac Beaulieu Memorial School. A valued Knowledge and Language Keeper, Delores is also a day school Survivor.

Despite the best attempts of that colonial system, she and her family kept their language—Delores tells us it was all they ever spoke at home.

Now, she is working to develop a new generation of Ojibway speakers.

Josephine Hartin has been an educator at the Nation’s Ginew School for 30 years. She now serves as its’ Vice-Principal.

While that’s impressive in and of itself, it’s just part of what makes this ikwe very special. Josephine’s mother, Marjorie Nelson, was also a teacher for 30 years!  Despite being sent to residential school, she kept her Ojibwe language and eventually taught it during her teaching career.

Now, Josephine is carrying on her late mom’s legacy. She is working with ALL teachers at Ginew School, First Nation or non-Indigenous, to incorporate Anishinaabemowin into every classroom. Whether during roll call, or just greeting students, Josephine’s goal is to hear the language in her school every single day.

Crystal Brown’s journey in law began at the University of Winnipeg, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies and Political Science.

From there, she completed her legal studies at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia.

She articled with the Province of Manitoba in the prosecutions department and is now a full-fledged member of the Law Society of Manitoba.

The Gambler First Nation is making waves when it comes to retaining a doctor in rural Manitoba. Thanks to the efforts of Chief David Ledoux and his Council, Dr. Igor Schinakarew will soon be Gambler’s new full-time family physician.

While Gambler will have its very own doctor, the Nation is also bringing in a brand-new building to house his clinic.

These developments in the health and well-being for the people of Gambler are just part of the extraordinary work performed by their leadership.

Under Chief Ledoux’s guidance, the Nation has also seen major infrastructure and economic developments, including a successful gas bar in the city of Brandon and a new community geodome to ensure year-long food security, along with new housing, a cultural centre, and soon—a new health centre!

His office is literally a chair in the school hallway. He greets all the students as they go about their day. More importantly, he is also available for one-on-one chats, whenever needed.

Axel tried to retire from being the Berens River First Nation School’s Elder in Residence this year, but the administration begged him to reconsider.

Our Elders are invaluable to intergenerational learning. They are also portals of knowledge, values, and culture. These are key to the development of our children and youth.

Every year, the staff at the Waywayseecappo First Nation Community School nominate one student for the Park West School Division Student Citizenship Award.

This school year, they chose grade eight student Emmett Tanner.

His teacher, Mrs. Logan, describes Emmett as “a dedicated leader, role model, and cultural mentor at our school.”

We are also told that Emmett is a fixture at community events in Waywayseecappo, including pow wows, feasts, and ceremonies.

We also found out that Emmett shows his pride in his Nation and culture through pow wow dancing, hunting, and food preparation knowledge, which he readily shares with others.

In school Emmett, is described as a leader in athletics, including archery, skiing, mountain biking, and gym programs.

If that wasn’t enough, he also readily assists staff with school events and is always willing to help wherever we can.

The people who call the Dauphin River First Nation home can rest assured that their water supply is being closely watched and cared for… that’s because Shirley is on the job!

She is the Nation’s Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program Coordinator. If that job wasn’t demanding enough, Shirley also has the role of community water tester!

Every two weeks, Shirley tests the quality of the water at Dauphin River’s health centre, Band office, school, and water treatment facility. She then sends her results to officials with the federal government.

Byron has been in the radio business for over 25 years.

He was recently brought in to manage the station and host the Morning Show.

A graduate of the Academy of Broadcasting in Winnipeg, Byron credits the late Ray St. Germain—while working at NCI FM—as being his on-air mentor.

Byron is also paying his passion for radio forward: He is training a pair of Hollow Water youth to become DJs at the station as well.

The new recruits are being tasked with setting up a livestream and social media pages for RAY FM.

From providing important community information to entertaining our Elders in their homes, our Nations’ radio stations play key roles in the daily lives of our citizens.

Delores devoted 60 years of service to the Chief Jacob Berens Mino-Ayaawin Health Center, playing a vital role in its administration.

After many years of dedication, her commitment to the well-being and health of her Nation has led her to her well-earned retirement.

Kelsey has been studying at the Max Rady Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba for a year now.

He earned his Bachelor degree in Indigenous Studies with a minor in Biology. He’s hoping to go into family medicine when he completes his studies.

When asked why he has chosen a career in medicine, he quickly replied, “I want to help my people!”

It turns out Kelsey is also a chip off the old block, as his dad Lawrence is the Health Director for Lake Manitoba.

Linda was sent to residential school as a child, but never lost her Dakota language and culture.

Now, she teaches children at both the elementary and middle schools in Virden, Manitoba.

In fact, Linda has been teaching in the Fort La Bosse School Division for over 46 years!

She tells us that her ultimate goal as a teacher is to instill pride in her Nation’s children and for them to embrace their Dakota roots.

The residential school system was created to remove and isolate children from the influence of their communities, families, and traditions.

However, it could not rob Linda of her Dakota roots, nor could it stop her from sharing her language and culture for generations to come.

Allen is the Cultural Advisor with SCO and carries deep knowledge of Anishinaabe teachings. He has been a guiding voice in helping our Nations reconnect with traditional wellness.

Recently, Allen appeared as a guest on Fireside Chats with Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. In honour of Father’s Day, he provided listeners with meaningful ways to celebrate fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and all men who support their families and Nations.

“We must honour the provider and the protector,” Allen shared. “Give them a feast to recognize them.”

An educator at the school in Keeseekoowenin, Jennifer is teaching her students how to gather and care for the medicines used in ceremony.

She always starts her day with prayer and smudging as she wants the children at her school to experience the cleansing and harmonious aspects of smudging.

Alongside teacher Christine Flett, and Administrator Barb Anchiuk, she also started an after-school pow wow club.

A gifted muralist and powerful advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, and gender-diverse people (MMIWG2S+), Jeannie’s advocacy began after sharing her own, and her mother’s, stories.

Since then, she has led powerful initiatives like a Redress Day initiative to tie red ribbons to the Selkirk “Blue Bridge.” She also created the Manidoonsag Imaa Mikinaako-Minisiing / Sacred Spirits of Turtle Island MMIWG2S+ mural — unveiled on MMIWG2S+ Awareness Day in 2021.

In 2024, Jeannie co-created Giizaagiigo (You Are Loved), a vibrant mural commissioned by the Honourable Nahanni Fontaine. You can view the mural at 444 Kennedy Street in Winnipeg.

Keep an eye out for her next work as she continues her mission to advocate for the full inclusivity of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people, along with men and boys.