“We are proud to welcome Jolene Mercer as SCO’s new Chief Executive Officer. Her experience, leadership, and commitment to First Nations will strengthen our organization as we continue advancing the priorities of the 33 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations we represent.”
~Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2026
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jolene Mercer as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
“On behalf of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, I am honoured to announce the hiring of Jolene Mercer,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Jolene is an accomplished First Nations executive with more than 20 years of experience advancing Indigenous governance, organizational excellence, and community development. As an Anishinaabekwe from Peguis First Nation, she has built a distinguished career leading transformative initiatives that strengthen First Nations and advance self-determination.”
Mercer has held senior executive positions, including Chief Administrative Officer of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation and Executive Director of Treaty One Nations. She has successfully led complex organizations through strategic growth, governance modernization, infrastructure and economic development, financial stewardship, and organizational transformation. Her leadership contributed to significant milestones, including the repatriation of Naawi-Oodena and the negotiation of the Gaawijijigemangit Agreement with the City of Winnipeg.
“I am honoured to join the Southern Chiefs’ Organization as Chief Executive Officer and to serve the 33 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations represented by SCO,” said Jolene Mercer. “I look forward to working alongside the Chiefs, staff, citizens, and partners to advance the priorities of our member Nations.”
As CEO, Mercer will oversee SCO’s administration and support the organization’s work in advocacy, service delivery, economic development, and other priority areas identified by the Chiefs-in-Summit. She joins SCO as the organization continues to grow, strengthen its operations, and pursue new opportunities for the Nations and citizens it serves.
“SCO has a strong and talented team, and Jolene brings the experience and strategic leadership needed to build on that foundation,” shared Chief Cameron Catcheway of Skownan First Nation. “I thank Howard Burston, along with Deanna Peyachew, for taking on leadership roles for SCO while we searched for our permanent CEO. I also thank my fellow members of our Chiefs Executive Committee for your ongoing support as we work to build a stronger foundation for SCO.”
SCO’s staff team is working on a wide variety of initiatives in service delivery, economic development, and advocacy.”
“SCO’s mandate is grounded in protecting, preserving, promoting, and enhancing the inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions of First Nations peoples through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process,” concluded Grand Chief Daniels. “Jolene understands that our work must remain accountable to the Chiefs and responsive to the priorities of our member Nations. As we look toward the future, we welcome her leadership and the experience she brings as SCO enters its next chapter.”
Jolene Mercer begins her new role as CEO for SCO today.
Learn more about SCO here.
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 33 First Nations and more than 92,000 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