SCO Announces Kevin Chief as New Community Ambassador

February 9, 2024

“Kevin Chief is a well-respected leader, and we are proud to have him as a member of the SCO team” – Grand Chief Daniels

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 9, 2024

ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Chief as Community Ambassador for the organization.

Photo of Kevin Chief
Kevin Chief is SCO’s new Community Ambassador

“Kevin Chief is a well-respected leader with a strong record of creating and supporting positive change in the communities he works with. The Southern Chiefs’ Organization is pleased to announce that Kevin will be joining us in the role of Community Ambassador,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “A citizen of Minegoziibe Anishinabe (formerly Pine Creek First Nation), Kevin is a former provincial Minister, a former Member of the Legislative Assembly, chairperson for the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development, and co-founder of the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre. He is also Senior Advisor of Community Development at True North Sports + Entertainment. A person dedicated to having a positive influence on others, Kevin is an asset to all those who are impacted by his work.”

Established in 1999, this year SCO will mark 25 years of advocating for and with the 34 southern Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations our organization represents. Kevin Chief will help us celebrate 25 years of our work as one of the keynote speakers at an upcoming SCO gathering in March 2024. Kevin will also be a special guest on episode #4 of “Fireside Chats with Grand Chief Jerry Daniels” on NCI FM radio today at 5:30 pm.

“I am honoured to take on the role as Community Ambassador for the Southern Chiefs’ Organization,” shared Kevin Chief. “There are many exciting initiatives I’ll be assisting with at SCO and one of them is working closely with the SCO Youth Chiefs, Tréchelle Bunn and Josh Gandier. I share the Grand Chief’s commitment to providing opportunities and mentorship to First Nations youth. It is essential to create opportunities and support young people from SCO member Nations and I am honoured to be part of this work. SCO has a lot to be proud of. I look forward to connecting and spending more time with the citizens of the 34 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations.”

Kevin Chief will work closely with Grand Chief Daniels and will play a role in nurturing and developing relationships between SCO and external partners in various levels of government and the private sector. He will also provide support to justice initiatives and relationships. Kevin and his wife Melanie have three young sons. He is a lifelong resident of Treaty One Territory and a talented square dancer.

Kevin Chief is pictured here with Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, Darian McKinney, and Reanna Merasty. The four of them will be on "Fireside Chats with Grand Chief Jerry Daniels" on Friday, February 9 at 5:30 pm on NCI FM radio.
Kevin Chief is pictured here (on the far right) with Grand Chief Jerry Daniels (left), Darian McKinney (centre), and Reanna Merasty (third from left). The four of them will be on “Fireside Chats with Grand Chief Jerry Daniels” on Friday, February 9 at 5:30 pm on NCI FM radio.

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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.

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Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca