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By: Kevin Rollason Posted: Last Modified: | Updates
THE first First Nations premier of a Canadian province — and his cabinet — will be sworn in today.
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THE first First Nations premier of a Canadian province — and his cabinet — will be sworn in today.
NDP Leader Wab Kinew will officially become Manitoba’s 25th premier, after taking the oath of office from Lt. Gov. Anita Neville and former senator Murray Sinclair, the first Indigenous judge at the provincial court and Manitoba Court of King’s Bench levels.
The ceremony begins 10 a.m, inside the Leaf horticultural attraction at Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg.
The event will be livestreamed (news.gov.mb.ca and youtube.com/ManitobaGovernment), but is not open to the public.
The new premier and cabinet will be sworn in 15 days after the governing Progressive Conservatives, led by Heather Stefanson, were voted out of office.
The NDP won a majority government, securing 34 of 57 electoral divisions, pushing the Tories (22) into the role of Opposition. The Liberals were reduced to one seat.
Today’s ceremony begins with the lighting of a qulliq (traditional Inuit lamp), followed by an opening prayer by Red Sucker Lake First Nation Chief Sam Knott.
The Norman Chief Memorial Dancers (which includes former NDP MLA and cabinet minister Kevin Chief) will perform traditional-style Métis dance and music.
Long Plain Chief Kyra Wilson, who has been prominent in recent months as one of the leading voices calling for the search of Prairie Green Landfill for human remains, will give the land acknowledgement. War Lake Chief Betsy Kennedy will give the greeting.
Kinew will then be sworn in as premier, followed by the Dakota Hotain Singers performing Chief Song (written for this occasion). Kinew will be given a traditional war bonnet by Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Jennifer Bone and Canupawakpa Dakota Chief Lola Thunderchild.
Kevin Rollason
Reporter
Kevin Rollason is one of the more versatile reporters at the Winnipeg Free Press. Whether it is covering city hall, the law courts, or general reporting, Rollason can be counted on to not only answer the 5 Ws — Who, What, When, Where and Why — but to do it in an interesting and accessible way for readers.
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