Nahanni Fontaine

Nahanni Fontaine

Public Service (2021)

Sagkeeng First Nation, MB

“Justice in Canada is when every First Nations child doesn’t go to bed hungry, or with self-loathing, or without heating or without water or without a healthy environment because at the core of our teachings, our communities, our traditions is our children. Our children are our very motivation, our futures. And our children deserve everything.”

Nahanni Fontaine’s voice is recognized throughout Canada – and the world – on matters of social justice for Indigenous Peoples.  Instrumental in organizing Canada’s 2nd National Roundtable on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S), Nahanni has organized Provincial and National Gatherings for MMIWG2S families, alongside, National Justice Practitioners Gathering. Nahanni has spoken around the world on the epidemic violence against Indigenous women, girls and two-spirited.

Nahanni is also the first Indigenous woman to be House Leader of any Legislature or Parliament in Canadian history.  As Manitoba’s Official Opposition’s Justice Critic, MMIWG2S and Veterans Affairs Spokesperson and House Speaker, Nahanni has unfailingly championed the rights of Manitoba’s most marginalized and vulnerable peoples, introducing Bills in support of women’s health and reproductive rights.  In 2017, she successfully brought into law the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Honouring and Awareness Day Act, which provincially proclaims October 4 as a day which honours MMIWG2S and their families. Nahanni’s championship of Indigenous rights is steadfast and unwavering.