Wabanakwut "Wab" Kinew
WINNIPEG, Manitoba-On October 18, Wabanakwut "Wab" Kinew was sworn in as Manitoba's 25th premier-and as the first First Nations premier of a Canadian province. During the ceremonies, Kinew also introduced his cabinet, which for the first time in Manitoba history includes two First Nations women: Nahanni Fontaine, who is the new families minister and will serve as minister responsible for gender equity and accessibility, and Bernadette Smith, the new minister of housing, addictions and homelessness.
Keewatinook MLA Ian Bushie, from the Hollow Water First Nation, was named Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations and will also act as Minister of Indigenous Economic Development.
Kinew named himself minister responsible for Indigenous reconciliation.
The ceremonies featured different Indigenous cultural elements and Kinew was sworn in wearing a ceremonial First Nations headdress.
The ceremony also included evangelical Christian moments as the swearing-in was opened and closed with Christian prayers.
"For anyone with links to northern rural Manitoba-specifically Cree and Oji-Cree communities—it probably felt like home," wrote Niigaan Sinclair, columnist at the Winnipeg Free Press, noting that the many northern First Nations regions are heavily Christian and conservative. "Those prayers were some of the most Indigenous moments in a very Indigenous ceremony."
Chief Sam Knott of Red Sucker Lake First Nation delivered the opening prayer, which mentioned Jesus, in Oji-Cree before telling the crowd in English, "Greetings you all, in the name of our Lord Jesus."
"He then thanked the crowd, the new cabinet members, and blessed Kinew with numerous references to Jesus, finally ending with a recitation of the Lord's Prayer," said Sinclair.
Similarly, Dion Halcrow, a minister from Pimicikamak Cree Nation closed the event. After noting that "Today is proof that the power of prayer does happen," Halcrow led his prayer calling to Jesus to bless the new premier, his family, the cabinet, and Manitoba families.
Sinclair also reported that Halcrow called on the Lord for wisdom and grace, and prayed, "I know, Lord, that none of us are perfect," Halcrow announced. "I know the cabinet people and our premier have flaws and weaknesses and are limited in their capacity to lead . . . so we ask that You carry them, oh Lord, and be with them."
Wab Kinew is from the Onigaming First Nation in Northwestern Ontario, he is the son of Tobasonakwut Kinew, a former local and regional chief and a professor of Indigenous governance at the University of Winnipeg, and Dr. Kathi Avery Kinew, a policy analyst.
Kinew earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Manitoba, later pursuing a master's degree in Indigenous governance. Before entering politics, Kinew was a musician, broadcaster and university administrator, best known as a host of programming on CBC Radio and CBC Television, as well as being an author of four books, including one bestseller.
After taking his oath, Kinew greeted the crowd in the languages of seven different Manitoba Indigenous nations, and said Wednesday was the start of a new era. "Today is a new day in our province. Today, a new era begins and today we get to work for you, the people of Manitoba," he said.
"We're committed to putting the people of Manitoba first, and we will devote every single day of the next four years to serving you and the future generations that will some day walk these lands."
