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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg, MB (March 25, 2026) – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) acknowledges the release of Manitoba’s 2026 Budget and the Province’s continued focus on investments in key areas such as housing, healthcare, education, and public safety.

“The Province has an opportunity to build on the foundation established in recent years,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “By working in true partnership with First Nations—not only in implementation, but in decision-making—Manitoba can ensure that progress on reconciliation is sustained and meaningful for future generations.”

AMC also recognizes the opening of the budget speech with a tribute to Amanda Lathlin, MLA from Opaskwayak Cree Nation, including a moment of silence in recognition of her contributions to public service. Amanda made history as the first First Nations woman ever elected to the Manitoba Legislative Assembly in 2015—breaking barriers and carrying the strength of her people into a space where First Nations voices have too often been excluded. Her legacy underscores the importance of ensuring First Nations voices are meaningfully included in shaping decisions that impact our Nations and shared future.

Grand Chief Kyra Wilson noted that while recent budgets have signaled a renewed commitment to working with First Nations, the 2026 Budget reflects a shift in approach that raises important questions about how those commitments will be sustained and strengthened over time.

“In 2025, we saw initial steps—however modest—toward recognizing the realities facing First Nations, particularly in areas such as urban homelessness and Indigenous programming,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “In 2026, we are seeing a change in direction that underscores the need for greater clarity, consistency, and long-term partnership.”

AMC emphasizes that First Nations are deeply committed to the overall well-being of Manitoba and to working collaboratively to address shared challenges facing communities across the province.

“First Nations are not only rights holders—we are partners in building a stronger, more resilient province,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “We are committed to working together to address the most pressing challenges facing our Nations and all Manitobans.”

AMC recognizes that First Nations priorities vary across regions, reflecting the diverse realities of communities throughout Manitoba. Many First Nations continue to face rising costs of living, increasing pressures related to climate change and emergency events, and ongoing barriers to accessing health, justice, and essential services. While Budget 2026 includes general investments in infrastructure and services, including a proposed $75 million investment in a state-of-the-art wildfire response centre in Thompson, there remains a need for more targeted, regionally responsive approaches that reflect these differing circumstances. Addressing these realities will require sustained collaboration and co-development to ensure that solutions are effective, equitable, and grounded in the lived experiences of First Nations across the province.

AMC notes that while provincial investments have increased overall, many programs continue to be designed and delivered through provincial systems. Lasting progress will require moving beyond program expansion toward shared decision-making, where First Nations are engaged as partners in both the design and delivery of initiatives that impact their citizens.

This includes the budget development process itself.

“First Nations must be partners in shaping budgets from the outset—not simply invited to participate in consultation processes after priorities have already been set,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “True partnership means co-development, transparency, and shared accountability.”

AMC notes that funding introduced in previous budgets for urban Indigenous initiatives has not been clearly extended on a multi-year basis. Stability and continuity are essential to ensure that First Nations organizations can maintain frontline services, including outreach, housing supports, and culturally grounded programming.

The Assembly also observes a continued emphasis on capital investments in housing. While infrastructure investments are important, AMC emphasizes that they must be accompanied by operational funding and First Nations-led delivery models to ensure programs effectively reach First Nations people—particularly those navigating both urban and on-reserve realities.

“Sustainable outcomes require investments not only in infrastructure, but in the people, services, and First Nations leadership that bring those spaces to life,” said Wilson.

AMC further notes that funding related to reconciliation has not kept pace with inflation or the growing needs identified by First Nations leadership. Continued progress will require sustained and predictable investments, including in areas such as Additions to Reserve, economic development, Treaty implementation, First Nations jurisdiction, and community-driven priorities.

“At a time when reconciliation must continue to evolve from commitment to action, it is important that investments align with the scale of the work ahead,” Wilson added.

The Assembly also highlights the importance of balancing investments in public safety with increased support for prevention and First Nations-led community safety initiatives.

“Addressing root causes through community-led approaches remains essential to achieving long-term safety and well-being for all Manitobans,” said Wilson.

AMC is calling on the Government of Manitoba to work in true partnership with First Nations in the development of future budgets and fiscal priorities, including restoring and strengthening distinctions-based funding and providing stable, multi-year investments in First Nations-led homelessness, addictions, and urban programming. The Assembly further calls for increased direct investments in Treaty implementation and First Nations governance, and for First Nations to be fully recognized and engaged as rights holders within all provincial funding frameworks.

AMC encourages all partners and stakeholders to review the AMC 2026–27 Alternative Federal Budget for First Nations in Manitoba, which outlines First Nations-led priorities and solutions for sustainable, long-term investments: AMC-2026-27-Alternative-Federal-Budget-for-First-Nations-in-Manitoba.pdf

For more information, please contact: 

Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email:  media@manitobachiefs.com  

About The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs:

The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of all 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 172,000 First Nations citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe, Nehetho / Ininew, Anisininew, Denesuline, and Dakota Oyate peoples.