Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak

Header image: MKO Grand Chief thanks CAF members for their efforts in vaccinating remote communities in northern Manitoba.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), MKO is a non-profit, political advocacy organization that provides a collective voice on issues of inherent, Treaty, Aboriginal and human rights for the citizens of the sovereign First Nations we represent. The MKO First Nations are signatory to Treaties 4, 5, 6 and 10 representing 26 First Nations communities with a population of over 70,000.

MKO also provides a growing number of programs and services for Indigenous peoples both in Thompson and across the Province of Manitoba. Our advocacy and services areas are:

Political Advocacy Office · Client Navigators · First Nations Youth · First Nations Justice Program · Indigenous Skills and Employment Strategy · Mental Wellness · Mobile Crisis Response Team · Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls · National Indigenous Peoples Day – Host Organization · Thompson Urban Aboriginal Strategy · Traditional Healer Program and transportation

MKO has provided support to the leadership through the COVID - 19 Pandemic working in partnerships by providing a safe isolation space while awaiting test results. As well as providing food hampers to those under isolation. MKO has provided some resources to Cross Lake for the Vaccine Clinic in Thompson.

MKO Chiefs have directed MKO through resolution passed at the last assembly to assist with homelessness in Thompson and across the province. Monetary assistance to Oscars Place in The Pas, new furniture and renovations provided to Project Northern Doorway - 95 Cree Rd as well as renovation assistance to The Thompson Homeless Shelter are a few projects that are underway.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. has announced that the Thompson sub-office is now providing assistance in obtaining secure status cards. There is no cost to access this service. “Providing Northern residents with easier access to obtaining these cards or to finding out their status number is extremely beneficial. It helps them exercise their Treaty rights,” shared Grand Chief Garrison Settee. “People need and use their status cards for travel, for photo identification, to carry out their banking, and to help them with employment.”

A Memorial for the 215 Indigenous Children discovered in an unmarked grave at the Kamloops BC Residential School, took place June 4, 2021 at the Monument site.

MMIWG2S Honouring event was held at the Miles Hart Bridge on June 3, 2021 to honour murdered and missing women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, families and survivors of gender-based violence on the 2nd anniversary of The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman and Girls.

Grand Chief Garrison Settee, a teacher by profession, wanted to relay a message to the youth, “You are not alone. You have not been forgotten”. A number of virtual workshops for youth have been made available online as well as an upcoming virtual festival for youth ages 12 to 17. Grand Chief Garrison Settee toured the Operation Vector headquarters and had Elder Simon Samuel sing the traditional Dene song for our troops before presenting the military personnel with sage smudge girls to personally thank them in recognition for their support of Fist Nations vaccination efforts.

MKO is working on opening a Food Bank in Thompson, MB.