Government will have First Nations women in cabinet for 1st time in Manitoba's history: Kinew

On a morning when Manitobapremier-designate Wab Kinew was praised by First Nation leaders, he pledged his government would make history by including First Nations women in its cabinet.

Kinewtold the audience Tuesday at an Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs generalassembly that his cabinet, which will be revealed Wednesday morning,will elevate their perspectives.

"You may not know this,but a First Nations woman has never sat at the cabinet table in Manitoba's history for 153 years," he said.

"Tomorrow, that will change," Kinew said to applause, as he partially teasedthemakeup of his cabinet.

Kinew, who will make history himself as the first First Nations premier of a Canadian province, then addressed the female leaderswho feted him with gifts at the AMC event, including moccasins anda quilted blanket.

"I think it's very fitting that the First Nations women's leadership,the women chiefs in Manitobaare up here and leading this procession, because what I want to commit to you is tolisten to the voices of womento listen to the voices of Anishinaabekwewag[women] and to have that reflected at our decision-making table and at every level of our government,"said Kinew, who isAnishinaabe.

'Huge increase' in First Nations voices

Kinewsaid people in the crowdmay think they know which First Nations women will be promoted to his cabinet,but he joked they shouldn't tryguessing.

Tenof the34 NDP MLAs elected on Oct. 3are Indigenous which is also a provincial record, Kinew said.

"There is a huge increase in the representation of people from the walks of life that you represent around this table," Kinew told the First Nationleaders.

"I invite you to work together with us, to do good things together."

Many of the First Nations leaders who took the microphone at thegeneral assembly said Kinew's accomplishment gives them a sense of pride.

WATCH |At least 2 First Nations women will be part ofWab Kinew's cabinet:

NDP's Wab Kinew says his cabinet will be Manitoba's 1st to have First Nations women

12 months ago

Duration 2:03

Manitoba's premier-designate told the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs' general assembly his government would be the first in the province's history to have First Nation women around the cabinet table.

Derek Nepinak, chiefof Minegoziibe Anishinabe(formerly known as Pine Creek First Nation),said his family has felt "captured within this public government system" for a long time, but he's nowstarting to feel more sense of belonging inManitoba.

"I know I, for one [have]always been very much looking from the outside in, but this man's great victory is causing me to reflect upon my own identity and where I stand," Nepinak said.

"Maybe there is space for us in this Manitoba idea, as Indigenous people, as Anishinaabepeople."

In his own address, Kinewfirst began by speaking in Anishinaabemowin, before returning to English to stress that he owes his election victory to the people of the province, including those of First Nations ancestry.

As a kid, he said, he never could have imagined being part of a grand entry and a pipe ceremony with elders, nor being honoured by their gifts or words.

"What I wouldsay in response is that I have nothing to give except my life in the service of the people of Manitoba," he said.

"Anything that you've given me today, as the elders, I will pay back tenfold with our new government. Anything you have given to us today on behalf of the women, I will pay back 100 times when we're sworn in,and anything that we did today for the young people of Manitoba, 1,000 times again we will pay it back by the way that we serve the people over the next four years."

Kinew said in an interview following the assembly that his cabinet will include representation from different parts of the province and different walks of life, but he didn't offeradditional specifics.

He's previously said his cabinet will be smaller than the 18-member inner circle his predecessor,Progressive Conservative Leader Heather Stefanson, struck earlier this year.

CBC will livestream Wednesday'sswearing-in ceremony, startingat 10 a.m. CT.

Homegrown cannabis ban will remain for now

Meanwhile, Kinew said the province's ban on homegrown non-medical cannabis, upheld by a judge last Friday, will remain in place, but that may change in the future.

In 2019, hevoiced opposition to the province's restriction, saying Manitoba should follow the federal government's rules, which permit growingas many asfourmarijuana plantsin a residence at one time.

Kinew said he's "still thinking in that direction," but "in terms of thefirst things we do in these first few months in office, it's going to be focused on health care and lowering costs for the average family."