A 19-year-old man from Norway House hopes to become the next grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), which represents northern Manitoba First Nations.
Tyler Duncan has announced he will run for the position in September’s election.
Duncan has served three terms as the youth chief of Norway House Cree Nation, a term as youth grand chief for MKO youth council and a campaign for the presidency of the NDP in Manitoba.
“I want to run for MKO grand chief because I believe in my leaders to make this necessary and needed change in our MKO organization,” he says. “I am running because my idea of leadership is not stepping up to run when you want, but when the people call on you to rise into action. I have felt this call loud and clear from some strong leaders in our region, and this is why I’ve decided to move forward with my campaign for the MKO leadership.”
Duncan kicked off his campaign earlier this month, touting measures such as greater financial accountability and transparency for MKO.
He also wants MKO to renew its focus on advocacy.
“With strong advocacy and an accountable and open organization, we will restore its integrity, will restore its credibility by taking its advocacy to strength and heights it hasn’t seen before,” Duncan says. “We will do this together, in the spirit of unity, collaboration, and goodwill, for the betterment of our people.”
Duncan says he knows he has accomplished something when he feels that he has bettered the lives of his people.
The aspiring grand chief is now visiting northern communities and meeting with the leadership.
– Thompson Citizen
