“Our organization continues to grow, increasing our ability to empower Anishinaabe and Dakota citizens” – Grand Chief Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2023
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — Today, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is pleased to announce the grand opening of a new office in Treaty Two Territory in Brandon, Manitoba.
“While our founding mandate has always been to represent our 34 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations and more than 83,000 citizens across what is now southern Manitoba, much of our service delivery has been centralized in Treaty One Territory,” stated SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “The opening of an office in the traditional territory of the Dakota people and Treaty Two Territory will allow us to continue that critical work, while allowing us to better serve the leadership and citizens of our western Nations.”
Several departments will be represented at the Brandon office, including Nation Rebuilding, Justice and Rights, and Jordan’s Principle.
“I want to acknowledge and thank SCO’s leadership, for giving my Nation better access to programming and services,” said Chief Lindsay Bunn Jr. of the Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation. “This new office can only help in achieving our collective goals, of protecting, preserving, promoting, and enhancing our inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions.”
The new Brandon office will particularly improve SCO’s access to citizens of Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation, Canupawakpa Dakota Nation, Gambler First Nation, Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation, Tootinaowaaziibeeng Treaty Reserve, Rolling River First Nation, Skownan First Nation, and Waywayseecappo First Nation. It will also be a welcome addition for our urban relations living and studying in Manitoba’s second largest city.
SCO has also recently established endowed scholarships for students attending Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College.
“So much of what we do is rooted in Nation-to-Nation discussions, consultations, and ultimately collaboration that improves outcomes for all of our peoples,” added Grand Chief Daniels. “I eagerly look forward to see how this new space will help those goals come to life.”
SCO’s new Brandon office is located at Unit 2B, 136 11th Street.
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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