Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Welcomes Newly Established Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ Council
September 17, 2026
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
Jesse Nobess
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Welcomes Newly Established Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ Council
Treaty Two Territory, Brandon, Manitoba. (September 17, 2026) – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) formally welcomed and honoured the newly established AMC Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ Council during a Welcoming Ceremony held as part of the 38th Annual General Assembly in Brandon, Manitoba.
The Council members recognized during the ceremony are Sunday Queskekapow, Azha Schick, Jalyn Morrisseau, Danielle Hart, AJ Spence, and Marissa Moar.
The establishment of the Council reflects years of direction, engagement, and work to ensure that Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ First Nations citizens have a meaningful voice within AMC’s governance structure. In 2022, the Chiefs-in-Assembly supported establishing a formal Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ Council within AMC. In 2024, the Chiefs-in-Assembly continued to affirm this commitment by amending the AMC Constitution to formally recognize the Council within AMC’s governance structure.
“Our Nations have always carried knowledge, teachings, laws, and responsibilities that recognize and honour the diversity of our peoples, and Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ people have always been an integral part of our Nations, families, and histories. The leadership, advocacy, knowledge, and lived experiences of Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ people strengthen the AMC and advance our collective work to uphold the rights, well-being, and self-determination of our Nations. Most importantly, this work is about belonging, ensuring every citizen of our Nations is valued, respected, and knows they have a rightful place within their families, Nations, and our collective political work,” said Grand Chief Kyra Wilson.
The Council will serve as an advisory body within AMC’s governance structure, providing advice and recommendations to AMC leadership and advancing the priorities and perspectives of Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ First Nations citizens through policy, leadership, education, coordination, and engagement. Its work will inform discussions and initiatives across areas including health and mental wellness, child and family well-being, education, justice, human rights, housing, employment, economic development, culture and languages, and other matters affecting Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ citizens.
“On behalf of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the 63 First Nations we represent, I welcome the Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ Council and thank each Council member for their leadership and commitment. We will continue working together to ensure Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ voices have a space, a place, and a voice within our political organization,” concluded Grand Chief Wilson.
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For more information, please contact:
Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email: media@manitobachiefs.com
About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs:
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs was created in 1988 by First Nations in Manitoba to coordinate political action and technical work on common issues. Through the Chiefs-in-Assembly, AMC works collectively to promote, preserve, and protect First Nations and Treaty rights, strengthen First Nations cultures, traditions, languages, economies and societies, and advance self-determination and self-government. AMC represents 63 First Nations in Manitoba and the diverse Anishinaabe, Nehetho/Ininew, Anisininew, Denesuline, and Dakota Oyate peoples.