The election for the role of Grand Chief of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization will occur at a special Chiefs-in-Summit on June 25, 2024, in Treaty One Territory. SCO Chiefs and appointed proxies are eligible to vote in the election.
Election Process – steps taken to date
- April 17, 2024: A request for proposals for the Chief Electoral Officer was posted.
- May 3, 2024: The SCO Chiefs Executive Committee reviewed the submitted proposals and selected the Chief Electoral Officer.
- May 27, 2024: The Chief Electoral Officer opened and accepted nominations starting on this date.
- June 10, 2024: The period for nominations closed on this date.
- June 11, 2024: The list of candidates were posted online (below) and shared to SCO Chiefs by memo.
Election Rules:
The SCO Election Rules can be found here (PDF).
For more information:
Myrna O’Soup-Bushie, Chief Electoral Officer
Nominated Candidates:
Jerry Daniels
Elected to his first term as the Grand Chief of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) in 2017, Jerry Daniels has exemplified an innovative spirit, intelligence and growth mindset that has advanced tangible economic and social reconciliation for the over 87,000 First Nation citizens, and the 34 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations SCO represents. His proven record of success led to his unopposed acclamation of a second term in 2020, the first time an SCO Grand Chief has run unchallenged in SCO’s history.
Jerry Daniels is a proud member of the Long Plain First Nation and a very proud father to his 15-year-old son Angelo Daniels. Raised by his grandparents Isabel and Donald Daniels, his aunties, uncles and community, Jerry has long understood the importance of kinship, belonging, identity, and culture. These values underpin the extensive advocacy and social development Jerry has led through his tenure with SCO.
As a graduate from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, Daniels has demonstrated his passion for supporting youth, and fostering economic development for First Nations people. Under his leadership, SCO has grown exponentially, taking significant steps to address critical issues in healthcare, education, social justice, child and family services, and the environment. Action in these areas include initiatives in health transformation and the development of a southern First Nations Health Authority, the evolution of child welfare and the work underway to establish a southern First Nations Water Authority. He strongly believes in providing opportunity for First Nations people to vision, design, lead and implement quality programming and services for First Nations people and as such, the workforce at SCO is over 80 per cent First Nation.
A strong believer that the youth voice must be heard, SCO created a Youth Council under the Grand Chief’s leadership and established multiple scholarships with business and philanthropic partners. Through these scholarships, SCO has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars used to support the education of southern First Nation youth at post-secondary institutions.
In April of 2022, Grand Chief Daniels was pleased to announce the culmination of over 18 months of hard work with the acquisition of the iconic Hudson’s Bay building in downtown Winnipeg and the Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn project. This multi-use community hub will provide more than 350 units of affordable housing for the citizens of SCO member Nations, including students, families, veterans, and assisted living for Elders. Other features include public spaces, a day care, restaurants and a museum. The project has sparked further partnerships, economic development, and employment opportunities for First Nations citizens. In December 2023, Grand Chief Daniels signed an MOU with True North Real Estate Development to develop a residential tower at the Portage Place Shopping Centre. This development acted as a catalyst for a 12-story health care centre of excellence supported by the province of Manitoba, announced in April 2024. As SCO celebrates it’s 25th Anniversary, Daniels is committed to a bright future and expanding opportunities for the Nations and citizens SCO represents.
Kyra Wilson
I am a proud member of the Anishinaabe (Ojibway) and Nehiyaw (Cree) Nations, and I continue to be a dedicated advocate for Indigenous communities. I have been blessed to have been raised, with my maternal family, in the Treaty 1 territory, with my familial roots in Long Plain First Nation and Sandy Bay First Nation. With a strong connection to our ancestral lands and ceremonies, I continue to have a strong commitment to serving our people.
My educational journey began with the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in social work. I have recognized the importance of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives and furthered my studies by enrolling in the Indigenous Knowledge Program at the University of Manitoba. I am still working on completing my Master of Social Work.
In 2022, I was elected as the Chief of Long Plain First Nation. During my time in office, I dedicated my time to serving the community with compassion and a motivation to provide new opportunities for all community members. I also embraced the opportunity to learn from fellow Chiefs, leaders, and community members, and I continue to remain grateful for the invaluable knowledge and experiences that I gained during my time as Chief.
Throughout my career and post-secondary studies, I have consistently focused on advocating for children and their families. My dedication to Child and Family Services, health and wellness, particularly mental health services, and addressing social issues has been unwavering. I am committed to providing opportunities for First Nations individuals, families, and communities.
With my strong leadership skills, cultural understanding, and genuine passion for community development, I am now seeking the position of Grand Chief of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization. I aim to continue advocating for the rights and well-being of our Nations, promoting self-determination, and fostering strong relationships with leadership and the organization.
My journey has been guided by the belief that empowering First Nations communities and working together, we can build a brighter future for all.