“The world needs sustainable solutions. By seeking business partnerships with our Indigenous counterparts in Mexico, we move from being consulted to being equal partners in high-tech industries. During this Mission, we are focusing on innovation and sustainability in business.”
– Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 18, 2026
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) has secured its participation in Team Canada’s Trade Mission to Mexico; the largest trade mission in Canadian history. The focus is to connect with industry in the region and explore opportunities for partnership in clean energy, artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing, and innovation.
Grand Chief Jerry Daniels is one of three Canadian Grand Chiefs to take part in this Mission, playing a significant role in reconciliation through business.
“The world needs sustainable solutions,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “By seeking business partnerships with our Indigenous counterparts in Mexico, we move from being consulted to being equal partners in high-tech industries. During this Mission, we are focusing on innovation and sustainability in business.”
The Canada–Mexico trade currently exceeds roughly $60 billion per year. Over the next few days, SCO will meet with business and government leaders to establish new relationships, exploring investment opportunities, and advance collaboration in sectors driving global growth. These discussions are focused on creating opportunities that directly benefit the 33 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations represented by SCO.
SCO is exploring opportunities for advanced AI and robotics to fill in the critical healthcare gap that remote First Nations’ communities face in southern Manitoba. We are also considering solutions for emergency management and environmental monitoring, including forest fire adaptation, shoreline erosion tracking, and long-term planning.
“By developing innovative solutions to our systems, our citizens can be safer, healthier, and more resilient,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “Partnership opportunities like these give our Nations the tools to manage our own resources and plan for the future.”
During the mission, SCO will also engage with Panamerican University, a private institution specializing in social impact engineering; Arca Continental, a global leader in the Coca-Cola bottling system; and the Center for Industrial AI (CII.IA), which hosts the fastest supercomputer in Latin America, to explore how these partnerships could directly benefit First Nations.
“We thank the Government of Manitoba for stepping up and partnering with SCO by providing financial support for this Mission,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “Strong collaboration with the province helps ensure southern First Nations are full partners in economic development and international trade.”
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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.
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Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca