Aniin, Wash-tay and greetings, my relatives!

Summer reflects the turn of the medicine wheel and our direction to the South. While all Nations practice their own teachings, this turn represents our connection to youth and the blooming stage of life, the sacred medicine of cedar and the Spirit of the bison – one who walks steadily upon the earth with intention to give every part of itself to sustain the life of others. 

With this new season upon us, the vision of the Chiefs of the southern First Nations has never been more clear – continue working to protect, preserve, promote and enhance the rights, languages, customs, and traditions of our people with a community-led and collaborative approach to strengthen our communities. 

I remind myself of our teachings as I walk with the honour of serving as Grand Chief of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO). As a father, brother, uncle and son, I hold the vision of true reconciliation and the restoration of balance close to my heart, and commit to building a strong and prosperous future for generations to come.

With the powwow trail in full force, I invite all to come gather and participate in our ceremonies and traditions taking place across our Nations that re-ignite our connections and communities. To listen, learn, and move forward in a good way together, acknowledging our way of life on Turtle Island since time immemorial. 

I wish you, your families, and loved ones a healthy and balanced summer season ahead and look forward to continue working with you all. 
 

Miigwetch, Pidamye and thank you, 
 

Grand Chief Jerry Daniels 

June was National Indigenous History month and June 21, 2022 we celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day along with the summer solstice. SCO honours all First Nation peoples and our Inuit and Metis relatives as we continue to share the cultures, ceremonies, and teachings that will raise strong and resilient future generations.

We look to allies, friends and Treaty partners to work with us – in action – as we are on this journey of reconciliation together. 

We invite all Canadians to read, reflect and act on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action and work with us partners to build a bright future for all: 

VIDEO BELOW: Our Culture, Our Rights 

“We have to understand our history to move forward..”

These are words remembered by Joe Daniels at the Honouring Our Children event at the Portage Indian Residential School (IRS) in Long Plain First Nation on June 15, 2022.

Joe, a Survivor himself of the Fort Alexander Residential School in Sagkeeng First Nation, was on hand at the event as part of the SCO Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) supporting anyone who needed someone to listen. 

The announcement of $2.5M from our provincial Treaty partner to First Nation, Inuit and Metis organizations in Manitoba will support the search for unmarked graves and the commemoration of children lost to the Indian Residential School (IRS) system. 

“The young people need to find about more about the truth of the past,” said Joe. “A lot of people in their 20’s and 30’s living in the city don’t understand what happened – they are just living in survival mode.”

Joe says that the true history needs to be shared with children and youth in order for true healing and reconciliation of Canada’s past. He says what allows him to stay grounded and continue showing up for others in need is staying connected to his culture and ceremony. 

*The MCRT is available to all southern First Nations and can be reached by phone at 1.877.726.2880

Pictured: Portage Indian Residential School–top left
Erica Issarataituk Sammurtok, Inuk Residential School Survivor–top right
Elder Eleanor Elk (Dakota)–bottom left
SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels , MKO Grand Chief Garrison Sette–bottom right 

Five stolen sisters in the span of several months in our Territories in what is now Manitoba, continues the unending and disproportionate levels of violence again our women and girls.

We share the names of those who have been reported so we can honour and remember them:

• Roseanne Cameron (pictured bottom left) *still missing since February 2022*
• Doris Trout (pictured middle left), 25 years young of Gods Lake Narrows First Nation on May 19, 2022
• Rebecca Contois (pictured top), 24 years young of O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation / Crane River First Nation on May 16, 2022
• Tessy Perry (pictured middle right) 31 years young of South Indian Lake First Nation on May 28, 2022
• Lori Ann Mancheese (pictured bottom right) 53 years young of Ebb and Flow First Nation on June 6, 2022 

A devastating truth communities and members bear due to the on-going effects of colonial racism and gender-discrimination. 

We continue to share our prayers with the families and loved ones of those affected by these horrific tragedies and call on Canada to immediately release funds promised in their 2020 budget of the $724-million to create safe shelter and transitional housing for Indigenous women and girls, and for our federal and provincial Treaty partners to act on the 231 Calls for Justice. 

“To lose a relative is hard enough, and in these devastating and horrific ways, healing will require that the entire community come together to help share the pain.” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels.

SCO is in the process of launching a Survivors Healing Supports Program this summer to support MMIGW2S+, Survivors and families.

After two years of battling the COVID-19 global pandemic that disproportionately impacted southern First Nations, a holistic, trauma-informed Anishinaabe and Dakota healthcare system takes another step forward, with Manitoba committing to developing an Agreement-in-Principle with Canada and the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO). This First Nations led tripartite table will result in the formation of a southern First Nation health authority that will launch later this year.

“Guided by our ancestors and led by First Nation health professionals, throughout the pandemic we responded to longstanding health inequities by advocating, partnering, and leading delivery of services,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. 

Read the historic announcement here: AGREEMENT-IN-PRINCIPLE FOR SOUTHERN FIRST NATIONS’ HEALTH TRANSFORMATION

Coming from Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve, this wonderful group of folks has been in the midst of creating exceptional new programming at the community’s Cultural Centre. 

Kelly Ironstand, Justina McKay, Valentina McKay, Darcy Chipaway and the rest of their team are working on everything from dinners for Elders, to land based learning for youth. The Cultural Centre is also transitioning to become a centre for healing as well.

With these folks at the helm, we know they will have nothing but success and look forward to sharing the progress.