“Everything we do is to create opportunity and increase capacity of our Nations to lead the way in transforming the future.”–Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 2, 2025
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTE TERRITORY, MB – The Southern Chiefs’ Organization Chiefs-in-Summit delivered decisive action on health, safety, and child welfare, passing resolutions that will shape the future of Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations. Chiefs, proxies, and Youth Chiefs received updates on SCO’s programs and initiatives, while also engaging in meaningful discussions on topics of shared concern.
“Our leaders are taking bold action to protect our rights and communities,” stated Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “It is time for federal and provincial governments to respect these decisions and work with us, not around us.”
Anishinaabe and Dakota Chiefs mandated SCO to advance a number of key priorities including:
- The creation of the Southern First Nations Health Authority
- Enhancing SCO’s Justice Safety Strategy
- Regional structure for implementing the Final Settlement Agreement
- Provisional Single Envelop Funding for child welfare agencies
- Natural Resource Transfer Agreement Strategy
- The declaration of a state of emergency on the drug health crisis and apprehension
“Our people are strong, but the challenges keep growing,” said Chief Murray Clearsky of Waywayseecappo First Nation. “At this Summit, we put forward concrete solutions from creating our own health authority to building new justice and safety strategies. These are mandates from the Chiefs to chart a new path forward. We expect governments and partners to recognize that direction and work with us to implement it.”
Chiefs, proxies, and Youth Chiefs made it clear: First Nations must be included at every decision-making table, including child and family services, the role of First Nations Safety Officers, hunting rights and wildlife stewardship, the Natural Resource Transfer Agreement, and the state of our Nations.
The Summit took place on September 24 and 25, 2025. It featured presentations on the Southern First Nations Health Authority, community safety and policing, natural resources and Indigenous futures, the Natural Resource Transfer Agreement, child welfare, and updates on the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. First Nations experts, including former National Chief Ovide Mercredi and the Honourable Ian Bushie, Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures for Manitoba, presented to the Summit.
Governments continue to approve major projects across Manitoba without the consent or inclusion of southern First Nations. This exclusion is unacceptable and must end. SCO and the Chiefs it represents are asserting that First Nations will no longer be left out of decisions that impact our lands, resources, and citizens.
“There is an urgent need to grow First Nations representation in all sectors and at all levels as it is essential in many fields such as health care, education, child welfare, economic development, and policing,” shared Grand Chief Daniels. “SCO is leading the way with scholarships and initiatives that create opportunity for our youth, but governments must step up with the resources required to achieve this change. Everything we do is to create opportunity and increase capacity of our Nations to lead the way in transforming the future.”
SCO is proudly leading the collective of Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations in southern Manitoba on the Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn project, redeveloping the former Hudson’s Bay building in downtown Winnipeg. Following direction from the Chiefs, SCO is focused on increasing First Nations representation in economic development projects—Indigenous employees make up 77 per cent of the entire workforce on the project. This is the best example of economic reconciliation for any major project of this size in the entire country.
“Our leaders are on the front lines in responding to extremely challenging issues and conditions,” stated Grand Chief Daniels. “I acknowledge the Chiefs and Councils of the 32 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations in southern Manitoba, along with the Elders who provide them with guidance and our SCO Youth Chiefs Billy Bird, Lacy Bird, and their Councillors. I am grateful to all of the leaders who joined us in Treaty Two Territory to provide ongoing direction and guidance to the work SCO is doing to advocate on behalf of their Nations.”
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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.
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Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca