Southern Focused
Community Driven
Elected to an historic third term as the Grand Chief of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) in 2024, Jerry Daniels exemplifies an innovative spirit, energy, and growth mindset that has advanced tangible economic and social reconciliation for the more than 87,000 First Nation citizens, and 33 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations that SCO represents.
Grand Chief Daniels is a proud citizen of the Long Plain First Nation and a proud father to his 15-year-old son Angelo Daniels. Raised by his grandparents Isabel and Donald Daniels, his aunties, uncles and community, he has long understood the importance of kinship, belonging, identity, and culture. These values underpin the extensive advocacy and social development Grand Chief Daniels leads.
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 includes 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. SCO has developed extensive new programming, including a Status Card Program, Harm Reduction Program, Jordan’s Principle Program, Mobile Crisis Response Team, Traditional Healers Program, Pathways to Healing Program, and a First Nations Veterans Program.
As a graduate from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, Grand Chief Daniels believes in fostering economic development for First Nations people. In April of 2022, he announced the culmination of more than 18 months of hard work with the acquisition of the iconic Hudson’s Bay building in downtown Winnipeg. The Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn project will be a multi-use community hub that 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 child care centre, restaurants, and a museum.
The Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn redevelopment project 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.
A strong believer that the youth voice must be heard, SCO created a Youth Council and established multiple scholarships with business and philanthropic partners. Through these scholarships, SCO has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the education of southern First Nation youth at post-secondary institutions.
Grand Chief Daniels is committed to providing opportunity for First Nations people to vision, design, lead and implement high quality programming and services for First Nations people, and as such the workforce at SCO is over 80 per cent First Nation. As SCO celebrates its 25th Anniversary, Grand Chief Daniels is working towards a bright future and expanding opportunities for the Nations and citizens SCO represents.
Tune In: Fireside Chats with Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
A weekly radio program called “Fireside Chats with Grand Chief Jerry Daniels” launched in January 2024.
Click here to learn more and to listen to past episodes of the program.