Manitoba First Nations leaders rally ahead of upcoming federal election
Posted April 25, 2025 5:12 pm.
Last Updated April 25, 2025 8:57 pm.
Manitoba First Nations leaders rallied Friday ahead of the upcoming federal election, urging the First Nations community to vote and pushing the future government to reform the recently changed funding guidelines surrounding Jordan’s Principle.
The rally comes two months after the federal government made changes to the program, restricting funding approvals for non-essential items, citing misuse of funds for things like modeling headshots, gaming consoles, and bicycles.
Indigenous leaders say the program—which ensures all First Nations children living in Canada have access to the supports they need—is now facing critical service gaps.
“Canada created this mess when it comes to Jordan’s Principle,” said Kyra Wilson, Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. “If they had listened to our people from day one, we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in today. Canada is always making unilateral changes without actually having us at the table when it comes to services and supports that we should be receiving.”
“We’re going to keep the government accountable for reneging on a promise, turning back on legislation and court rulings. They violate their own law,” said Garrison Settee, MKO Grand Chief.
The rally aimed to push attendees to the polls, with Liberal candidate for Churchill–Keewatinook Aski, Rebecca Chartrand, and NDP candidate for Winnipeg Centre, Leah Gazan, each making pitches to the crowd.
“I’m asking people to get behind me because I am First Nations. I’m an Indigenous woman. We have to walk the talk. We keep saying we have to get behind our people, that we have to uplift each other, that we have to empower Indigenous women—well, here I am,” said Chartrand.
“Nothing changes if nothing changes if nothing changes,” said Leah Gazan, NDP candidate for Winnipeg Centre. “We need our own people taking up space in Parliament.”
“We are voting for a party that’s going to listen to what we have to say,” said Kyra Wilson, Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
