AMC welcomes and acknowledges Heather Stefanson’s historic win as first female Premier of Manitoba
November 1, 2021
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
alexpapineau
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) issues this statement to congratulate and welcome Heather Stefanson, the legislative member for Tuxedo, as Premier-designate of Manitoba. Ms. Stefanson won the leadership of the Manitoba Progressive Conservative (PC) Party at a duly held election on October 30th to become the first female Premier in the history of the province.
Grand Chief Arlen Dumas said, “On behalf of the Assembly and its member First Nations, we congratulate and welcome Heather Stefanson in her historic win as the first female Premier-designate of the province of Manitoba. The AMC recognizes Shelly Glover for putting her name forward for the PC leadership and we wish her the best in her future endeavors. I also take this opportunity to thank Interim Premier Kelvin Goertzen for his transitional leadership during this very important time in Manitoba’s history. Mr. Goertzen led with integrity during his brief time as Premier and as Manitobans came together to acknowledge past and ongoing injustices inflicted on First Nations and resolved to correct and provide redress for these wrongs. Goertzen provided a good transition to the incoming Premier and the AMC looks forward to building on this positive foundation with the Premier-designate.”
“The past working relationship with the former provincial government had its challenges for First Nations,” continued Grand Chief Dumas. “First Nations, however, were encouraged by the words of the Premier-designate in her victory speech where she immediately acknowledged First Nations leadership, reconciliation and rebuilding the broken relationship with First Nations. AMC member First Nations are prepared to turn the page on the past difficulties and begin a new chapter with the incoming Premier. We can collaboratively do this by giving meaning to her commitment to reconciliation, by re-setting a respectful relationship, and by working together to give full expression for the duty to consult First Nations in this province. First Nations’ rights must always be at the forefront of any government decision, and the AMC will always have this position as the starting point for discussions with any incoming or newly-elected provincial government.”
Grand Chief Dumas concluded, “The Assembly welcomes the renewed commitment to reconciliation as voiced by the Premier-designate. This will be a very important priority to work on over the next two years of the Premier Stefanson’s term. The AMC and its member First Nations, as always, remain open to advancing shared priorities on economic development, on social reform, and on protecting and promoting our rights with the incoming Premier and cabinet for the benefit of all Manitobans.”