Former Manitoba grand chief named Indigenous advisor for Winnipeg police

The former grand chief of an organization that represents northern Manitoba’s First Nations has been appointed an Indigenous advisor with the Winnipeg police.

Sheila North, the first woman to be named grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) – a position she held from 2015 to 2018 – was introduced as the Winnipeg Police Service’s first external Indigenous relations advisor on Tuesday.

The new role is designed to add Indigenous “knowledge, engagement, and leadership” to the police force and repairing strained relationships with Indigenous peoples

“I look forward to helping renew and rebuild relationships between the Winnipeg Police Service and the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people who live in our city and province.” North said. “Any opportunity to make Winnipeg safer and more welcoming is one we can’t afford to miss.

“I am here to let people know that I am willing to work with our people, police, the province and city to try and make our lives safer.”

The WPS called the appointment an “important step forward” towards reconciliation.

“Reconciliation is about action; we have engaged with Indigenous communities to move forward together, fostering stronger relationships and continued collaboration,” said WPS Chief Gene Chief Bowers. “The creation of this role represents a meaningful step in strengthening our connection with Indigenous peoples.

“I am humbled Sheila has chosen to walk this road with us.”

Bowers said making the position external ensures North can act without conflict of interest.

“I wanted to bring an external lens to us,” the chief of police said. “I have been a police officer for a long time and sometimes you get that narrow focus and I wanted to broaden it.”

“I think external is very important because I want that level of separation to look a work and initiatives and things that happen in a critical way if I have to,” added North.

The police board says since Winnipeg has one of the largest Indigenous populations in Canada, there was a need for leadership to reflects those voices. North herself acknowledged both positive and negative experiences with police, saying rebuilding trust will be central to her work.

“I know there is a lot of work to do to repair relationships that have gone astray over generations, but we also know that the role of policing is really important, even in Cree with have a word for policing and that’s simâkanis,” she said.

The MKO congratulated its former grand chief in a news release, saying North was “uniquely qualified to guide meaningful change in the relationship between law enforcement and First Nations people,” and calling it a “historic appointment.”

“Sheila North brings both strength and compassion to this role,” said MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee. “Her lived experience and unwavering commitment to justice for Indigenous women and girls will help build bridges between communities and institutions. MKO is proud to see one of our own take on this vital position, and we look forward to the positive impact she will make.”

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) also congratulated North in a statement.

“Her deep understanding of the issues facing First Nations will strengthen dialogue and bring forward the voices of our citizens in areas where it is most needed,” said Grand Chief Kyra Wilson.

“The creation of this role is a step forward, but what will matter most is ensuring that the voices and experiences of our Nations guide the work of the Winnipeg Police Service. Sheila North’s leadership and advocacy will ensure this process is grounded in respect, action, and accountability.”

In addition to serving as the MKO’s grand chief, North has also worked as a journalist, political commentator, translator, filmmaker, author and entrepreneur.

She previously served as the director of missing children, residential schools and engagement at the International Commission on Missing Persons. Most recently, she was the executive director of external Indigenous relations at the University of Winnipeg.

–With files from Mitchell Ringos