Southern Chiefs’ Organization Invests $1.5 Million to First Nation Health Equity

Press Release

March 24, 2025

“Anishinaabe and Dakota teachings are powerful, and they kept us healthy for millennia.” – Grand Chief Daniels

ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is investing over $1.5 million as a part of its Healthy Living campaign to bring health equity to the
First Nations it represents. SCO is promoting healthy living and encouraging good health and well-being through a multi-media campaign that centres on traditional Anishinaabe and Dakota teachings.

“There is a documented 11-year gap in life expectancy that is growing between First Nation citizens and all others living in what is now known as Manitoba,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “We are investing in the health and well being of our Nations in a holistic way that encompasses the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of the individual, family, and community.”

SCO is supporting physical health in our First Nations by investing $1 million to sponsor youth athletes to participate in the Manitoba Indigenous Summer games this August. Additionally, SCO is providing $100,000 to sponsor summer basketball camps for our youth in our communities.

To proudly practice our cultures through dance, ceremony and speaking our languages,
SCO is investing $100,000 to support a First Nation Youth Drum Group and reclaiming First Nations languages with $300,000 for language classes in our Nations.

In traditional Anishinaabe and Dakota cultures, food is recognized for its holistic medicinal properties. That is why SCO is encouraging our Nations to grow nutritious and sustainable food to teach younger generations, promote healthy living, and reconnect with our food by hosting a community garden competition.

“SCO’s Healthy Living campaign and investments into cultural activities and workshops are an impactful way to promote the reclamation and practice of traditional teachings,” said Chief David Meeches of Long Plain First Nation. “Reclaiming cultural practices has a positive impact on the overall health and well-being of First Nations citizens.”

SCO Health Transformation is promoting healthy living and encouraging good health and well-being through a multi-media campaign that centres on traditional Anishinaabe and Dakota teachings and focuses on seven themes:

• Food is Medicine
• Water is Medicine
• Movement is Medicine
• Community is Medicine
• Land is Medicine
• Culture is Medicine
• Knowledge is Medicine

For more information about SCO Health Transformation and the Healthy Living campaign, visit: https://scoinc.mb.ca/health-transformation/

-30-

The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 32 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.

For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca

ILR5