FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 19, 2025
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTE TERRITORY, MB – On behalf of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) and the 32 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations we represent, Grand Chief Jerry Daniels welcomes Mark Carney’s attention to military investments.
Grand Chief Daniels states:
“The Southern Chiefs’ Organization welcomes Mark Carney’s attention to military investments and recognizes this as a pivotal moment to reaffirm and strengthen the warrior spirit that has long defined our Nations.
First Nations from southern Manitoba have historically answered the call with tremendous courage. During both World Wars, our Veterans enlisted at among the highest rates per capita in Canada, despite enduring systemic inequities. Their service remains a powerful testament to our role as partners and defenders of this land in times of global conflict.
At SCO, we have taken concrete steps to re-establish that warrior ethos and honour our Veterans. Our Veterans Wall of Honour stands as a legacy of bravery and sacrifice from our people. It features heroes who served across the world from the Great Wars to Afghanistan.
Our First Nations Veterans Program, designed and led by First Nations Veterans, has been a standout success. It aids former service members in accessing resources across the province from mental health services to participating in traditional ceremonies. The program has been profiled numerous times as a model initiative to support First Nations Veterans. Through this program, we are supporting the restoration and reclamation of pride, purpose, and community among our Veterans.
SCO is proud to acknowledge that First Nations military recruitment has already surpassed its 2025 goal, reaching the highest levels in over a decade. This surge is a reflection of a growing warrior spirit and a renewed sense of purpose among our young people.
These military investments are essential. As the global landscape continues to shift, our new recruits must be equipped with the tools, training, and resources to navigate complex security realities while honouring their deep cultural roots and community responsibilities.
Let us also remember that when our Veterans enlisted, they did so not just as individuals, but as representatives of Treaty Nations. Canada’s investments in defence must go hand-in-hand with investments in reconciliation, recognizing our shared history and the continued service of our people.
Moving forward, SCO seeks a true partnership with Canada that honours our Veterans, uplifts our Nations, and safeguards the warrior spirit for generations to come.”
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 32 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.
For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca