Wab Kinew officially sworn in as Manitoba's 1st First Nations premier

Wab Kinew has officially become Manitoba's 25th premier, and the first First Nations premier of a Canadian province, following acolourful and tradition-filled swearing-in ceremony thatKinew said marked the dawn of a new dayfor the province.

Kinew took his oath of office, which was administered by ManitobaLt.-Gov.Anita Neville, while wearing a ceremonial First Nations headdress ina ceremony at The Leaf in Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park.

After taking his oath, Kinew greetedthe crowd in the languages of seven different Manitoba Indigenous nations, and said Wednesday was the start of a new era.

"Today is a new day in our province. Today, a new era begins and today we get to workfor you, the people of Manitoba," he said.

"We're committed to putting the people of Manitoba first, and we will devote every single day of the next four years to serving you and the future generations that will some day walk these lands."

WATCH | Kinew promises 'new day' for Manitoba in 1st speech as premier:

Wab Kinew addresses Manitobans at swearing-in ceremony

11 months ago

Duration 2:25

Wab Kinew speaks about his commitments to Manitobans after being sworn in as the provinces 25th premier.

During his first speech as premier,Kinew stressed that fixing health care remains his government's top priority.

He called on health-care workers to be patient and stick around to help make the changes that are necessary.

"Help is coming. We need you to stay on the front lines."

Wednesday's ceremony was steeped in Indigenous culture to mark the historic moment.

It began with thelighting of the quilliq, a traditional Inuit oil lamp, and later featured traditional drumming and singing by Sioux Valley's Dakota Hotain Singers and the Red River jig performed by Norman Chief Memorial Dancers, a Mtis music and dance group.

It also includes remarks from First Nations leaders such as Murray Sinclair, a former judge and senator who chairedthe Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Kinew'selection as premier is Manitoba's "trueact of reconciliation," said Sinclair.

"I want you to think of it that way. I want you to think of the fact that we are now entering a new phase," he said to loud applause.

WATCH: Murray Sinclair says Manitoba election 'true act of reconciliation':

Murray Sinclair speaks at Premier Wab Kinews swearing-in ceremony

11 months ago

Duration 2:17

Former senator Murray Sinclair talks about his hopes for reconciliation in the province after Wab Kinew was sworn in as Manitoba's first First Nations premier.

New cabinet introduced

Kinew also introduced his newcabinet at the swearing-in ceremony Wednesday morning, which includes several returning MLAsas well as a few rookies.

Uzoma Asagwara, who is non-binary and made history as the first black queer MLA in the province when they were first elected in 2019,is the new health minister and deputy premier of Manitoba.

St. James MLA Adrien Sala is the new minister of finance and Concordia MLA Matt Wiebe is the new justice minister.

Sala's portfolio also includes Manitoba Hydro and the province's public service, while Wiebe will be the minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance in addition to his justice duties.

Ron Kostyshyn is agriculture minister, a portfolio he held when he was previously in the legislature as part of Greg Selinger's NDP government.

For the first time, Manitoba's cabinet includes First Nations women: Nahanni Fontaine, who is the newfamilies minister and will serve asminister responsible for gender equity and accessibility, and Bernadette Smith, the new minister of housing, addictions and homelessness.

Transcona MLA Nello Altomare is the new education minister, while Notre Dame MLA Malaya Marcelino is the new minister of labour and immigration.

Keewatinook MLA Ian Bushie, named minister of municipal and northern relations, gave a shout-out to his home community of Hollow Water First Nation.

Bushie willalso act as minister of Indigenous economic development, whileKinewnamed himself minister responsible for Indigenous reconciliation.

Jamie Moses is minister ofeconomic development, trade and natural resources, and Lisa Naylor is minister of transportation and infrastructure, as well as minister of consumer protection and government services.

Rookie MLAs Renee Cable, Tracy Schmidt and Glen Simard also earned spots in Kinew's inner circle.

Cable is minister of advanced education and training, Schmidt is minister of environment and climate change, and Simard is taking on sport, culture, heritage and tourism,as well as the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries file.

Liberal party offers congratulations

Interim Manitoba Liberal Party Leader Cindy Lamoureuxexpressed her support for the NDP in a statement Wednesday, adding she's "optimistic and looking forward to getting to work with the new ministers and their departments."

In her statement,Lamoureuxnoted thecabinet is smaller than previous ones put in place by PC governments, but that won't diminish the ability of the government to provide services Manitobans need.

See photos ofManitoba's new NDP cabinet members:

The new cabinet represents "many walks of life" and regions of the province, Kinew said.

"I believe that this sends a message to every young person in Manitoba that no matter who you are, no matter where you come from, and no matter which barriers you have to overcome on your life's path, that the road to success is open for you."

Kinew also said with the members of his cabinet and caucus, members of Manitoba's LGBTQ community will have many voices in government at a time of increasingly harmful rhetoric.

Once all the new MLAs are sworn in, there will be 10 Indigenous members of the Manitoba Legislature among the 34-member NDPcaucus.

The Progressive Conservatives enter the new legislature with 22 MLAs, while Cindy Lamoureux will serve as the lone Liberal. She was named interim party leader on Tuesday.

Manitoba's new premier, cabinet swearing-in ceremony

11 months ago

Duration 2:17:14

Manitoba's new premier Wab Kinew and his cabinet are sworn in at a ceremony at Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park.