Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Welcomes Appointment of Manitoba’s First Associate Chief Judge of Reconciliation
June 19, 2026
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
AMC Communications
Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg, MB (June 19, 2026) — The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) congratulates Judge Jerilee Ryle of Lake St. Martin First Nation on her appointment as Manitoba’s first Associate Chief Judge of Reconciliation.
AMC also acknowledges and thanks the Government of Manitoba and Minister of Justice Matt Wiebe for establishing this position and taking an important step toward advancing reconciliation and strengthening relationships between First Nations and Manitoba’s justice institutions.
This historic appointment reflects a growing recognition that reconciliation requires meaningful action and renewed relationships grounded in mutual respect and understanding. It also reflects the longstanding calls of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry and the continuing need to support and strengthen First Nations approaches to justice.
Judge Ryle’s appointment represents an important milestone for Manitoba and for First Nations. As an Anishinaabe woman and a respected member of the judiciary, she brings experience, leadership, and understanding that will help advance efforts to build a more responsive, culturally informed, and equitable administration of justice.
“We congratulate Judge Ryle on this historic appointment,” Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said. “Judge Ryle brings experience, leadership, and understanding to this important role, and we are confident she will make a significant contribution to ensuring Manitoba’s courts are more responsive, culturally informed, and respectful of First Nations perspectives, traditions, and lived experiences. We look forward to working with Judge Ryle in advancing those efforts.”
“AMC recognizes that reconciliation within the justice system is not only about increasing representation within existing institutions, but also about supporting the recognition, restoration, and strengthening of First Nations laws, legal traditions, justice systems, and institutions,” Grand Chief Wilson concluded. “This appointment represents another important step forward. We look forward to continuing to work together to advance First Nations-led approaches to justice and to strengthen respectful relationships between distinct legal traditions and institutions for the benefit of First Nations citizens and all Manitobans.”
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.