A television journalist hopes to become the next grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO).
Sheila North Wilson of CTV Winnipeg is running for the position in the September election.
“I feel like now that I know the issues,” she said. “I’ve known them since I was a little girl growing up in Oxford House, heard about them, lived through them all my life.”
If elected, North Wilson said her priorities would include addressing housing concerns, poverty and poor health. She also pledged to work with chiefs to get government and policymakers at the table to work on ongoing issues.
She said her supporters are enthusiastic about the idea of a woman becoming grand chief.
“The people behind me are saying it’s time for a woman to lead, because it’s the women that did all the planning, and the organizing in the home and community,” said North Wilson.
MKO represents most northern Manitoba First Nations. Also running for grand chief in the September 2 election is Tyler Duncan of Norway House.
