“First Nations citizens are reclaiming our history, cultures, and languages.” – Grand Chief Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2023
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — Today, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is celebrating the kickoff to National Indigenous History Month.
“Today and every day, we are working to reclaim our histories, cultures, and languages to rebuild our Nations and reconnect with our Ancestors. As we mark the beginning of National Indigenous History Month, we honour our relatives in SCO Nations,” stated SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “On behalf of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, I want to wish everyone a joyful and harmonious Indigenous History Month.”
SCO is recognizing National Indigenous History Month through a social media campaign throughout the month of June, where we will share profiles of accomplished First Nations people who are making a positive impact in our Nations, such as Kevin Chief from Pine Creek First Nation; Drayson Letandre from Pinaymootang First Nation; Sophia Smoke from Dakota Plains Wahpeton Nation; and Jason Taylor from Canupawakpa Dakota Nation. On June 21, we are proud to feature our 2023 SCO graduates on our social media pages.
The campaign will take place on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter and will use the hashtag #SCOChangemakers.
National Indigenous History Month is a great time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of SCO First Nations citizens. On June 21, we will mark National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a beautiful time of year to remind our Elders and Knowledge Keepers of their important roles within our communities. SCO extends gratitude to these pillars of our Nations for keeping our traditions and languages alive.
In June, we also celebrate graduates from SCO member First Nations who have pursued, and are achieving, their educational goals. SCO wants to celebrate exceptional members of SCO Nations who are graduating at all levels. We invite members of the public to help us honour our graduates by emailing a picture and information about your graduate to our communications team: media@scoinc.mb.ca
“The Southern Chiefs’ Organization is focused on telling positive stories about our communities. First Nations people come from a strength-based culture and my sincere hope is that SCO can contribute to the healing journey many of us are on. We aim to create a movement and culture of positivity for First Nations that lasts long after this year’s celebrations have ended,” concluded Grand Chief Daniels. “As we work to rebuild our Nations, let us come together to uplift and support our citizens who are learning the ways of their culture and healing our intergenerational traumas.”
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 First Nations and more than 83,000 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