Nahanni Fontaine
A prominent advocate who has advised the Manitoba government on indigenous women's issues for years is now seeking a seat in the legislature.
Nahanni Fontaine announced Friday she would run for the New Democratic Party nomination in the Winnipeg riding of St. Johns, becoming the second high-profile indigenous person to join the race for the NDP this week. On Tuesday, Wab Kinew, author, former CBC broadcaster and associate vice-president of indigenous affairs at the University of Winnipeg, declared his intention to run in the riding of Fort Rouge.
Ms. Fontaine will face at least two others for the nomination in the lead up to the provincewide April 19 election.
A breadth of experience and knowledge "makes me a well-rounded candidate," said Ms. Fontaine, who paid tribute to NDP Premier Greg Selinger for supporting her work for more than five years.
She has worked on the issue of Canada's missing and murdered indigenous women for roughly 18 years. She was the director of justice for Manitoba's Southern Chiefs Organization and in 2013 received the Governor-General's Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case. She also worked as an environmental researcher on her home reserve of Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation – a rural Manitoba community that has lost several indigenous women to violence.
She became an advocate for women after grappling with trauma caused by sexual abuse at an early age and addiction issues. She looks at the past not as a hindrance but as a way forward. It gives her a special connection to other people who have struggled, she said.
"My story isn't that different from many Canadians, many global citizens," she said. "A myriad of women are sexually assaulted. The teaching of my childhood is that I'm able to relate with everyone I come into contact with. It's a blessing."
Behind her run is a desire to see strong voices representing indigenous people in all levels of politics and to show indigenous youth the possibilities available to them.
"I'm a mother of two boys," she said. "I want them to know the realm of opportunity and what women can do. The opportunities are here."
She said her agenda will be formed and guided by those she represents.
"The issues I'll tackle will be with the advice of my constituents."
The governing NDP are trailing the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives in polls. Many blame the NDP for an unpopular provincial sales tax that took hold in 2013.