Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
A political advocacy and coordination organization representing First Nations in Manitoba.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is a province-wide political advocacy and coordination organization representing the First Nations of Manitoba. It provides a collective forum through which First Nations leadership can develop shared positions, engage with the federal and provincial governments, and advocate on matters affecting First Nations governments, communities, families, and citizens. The organization represents 63 First Nations and advocates for more than 151,000 First Nation citizens in Manitoba, according to the organization’s commonly cited public description. The AMC’s institutional roots lie in the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood (MIB), which emerged in the late 1960s as a common political voice for First Nations in the province. The MIB became nationally significant through its 1971 presentation of “Wahbung: Our Tomorrows,” a comprehensive policy statement opposing the federal government’s 1969 White Paper. The White Paper proposed removing the distinct legal and constitutional relationship between First Nations peoples and the Canadian state, including the eventual elimination of the Indian Act’s special status framework. Manitoba First Nations leaders argued that the proposal threatened treaty relationships, collective rights, and Indigenous political identity. The federal proposal was withdrawn in 1970 after broad Indigenous opposition, and the MIB’s position paper became an influential expression of First Nations policy and self-determination in Canada. The MIB dissolved by the early 1980s as its agenda expanded and regional interests became more prominent. Manitoba chiefs subsequently worked toward a renewed province-wide structure. An All Chiefs Unity Assembly met in 1987 and adopted principles intended to restore political unity. Louis Stevenson became the first Provincial Leader of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs that year. In 1988, the Chiefs-in-Assembly established a model for province-wide political cooperation and defined the basic mandate and structure of the AMC and its secretariat. The leadership title changed from Provincial Leader to Grand Chief in 1990, and the organization adopted its constitution in September 1994. The AMC is not a consumer-facing commercial brand. Its principal functions are political representation, policy development, intergovernmental advocacy, coordination among First Nations governments, public communication, and support for institutions mandated by Manitoba First Nations leadership. Its work has encompassed issues such as treaty relations, education, health, social services, economic development, child and family well-being, and the recognition of First Nations jurisdiction and rights. The organization’s affiliated or mandated bodies have included the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, the First Peoples Economic Growth Fund, First Peoples Development Inc., and the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba. The AMC’s public identity is therefore grounded in collective First Nations governance rather than commercial positioning. Its influence derives from its mandate from Manitoba chiefs, its role as a representative political body, and its historical connection to the MIB’s treaty- and rights-based advocacy. The organization remains active as a Manitoba-wide forum for First Nations leadership. Public reference material identifies Cathy Merrick of Cross Lake as its most recent Grand Chief.
History
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs developed from a longer tradition of province-wide First Nations political organization. Its predecessor, the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood, was formed in the late 1960s to give Manitoba First Nations a shared political voice. The MIB’s most consequential intervention was its response to the federal government’s 1969 White Paper, which proposed eliminating the distinct legal status and institutional relationship associated with First Nations in Canada. The Brotherhood produced “Wahbung: Our Tomorrows,” a policy paper that challenged the proposal and articulated an alternative based on treaty rights, Indigenous nationhood, and collective political authority. The paper was presented to Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau and the Government of Canada in 1971. The White Paper was abandoned in 1970 following opposition from Indigenous leaders across Canada, and the MIB’s work became part of the historical development of modern First Nations rights advocacy. By the early 1980s, the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood had dissolved amid the growing complexity of its policy agenda and the emergence of regional political interests. Manitoba chiefs later sought to rebuild a province-wide mechanism for cooperation. In 1987, an All Chiefs Unity Assembly adopted a consensus statement of political principles, and Louis Stevenson was appointed the first Provincial Leader of the reconstituted Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. In 1988, the Chiefs-in-Assembly developed a model for political cooperation among Manitoba’s First Nations. This model established the core structure and mandate of the AMC and its secretariat. In 1990, the position of Provincial Leader was renamed Grand Chief, reflecting the organization’s established political role. The AMC adopted its constitution in September 1994. Over time, the AMC’s work expanded beyond direct government advocacy to include coordination and support for specialized institutions mandated by Manitoba First Nations. These institutions have included the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, established in 1998; the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba and the First Peoples Economic Growth Fund, both established in 2005; First Peoples Development Inc., established in 2012; and the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba, established in 2013. Their areas of activity reflect recurring priorities in Manitoba First Nations governance, including education, treaty education and relations, economic development, health, and social services. The AMC operates as a representative political association rather than a commercial enterprise. Its authority comes from the Chiefs-in-Assembly and its role as a collective body for Manitoba First Nations. It provides a platform for developing common policy positions, communicating with governments and the public, and advancing issues that individual First Nations may pursue collectively. Its historical and contemporary identity is closely linked to the protection of treaty relationships, First Nations jurisdiction, and self-determination. Public reference material identifies Cathy Merrick of Cross Lake as the most recent Grand Chief.
- 2013
First Nations Health and Social Secretariat established
[1]The First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba was established to support First Nations health and social-service priorities.
- 2012
First Peoples Development Inc. established
[1]First Peoples Development Inc. was established as a mandated organization serving First Nations economic development objectives.
- 2005
Treaty and economic development institutions established
[1]The Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba and the First Peoples Economic Growth Fund were established.
- 1998
Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre established
[1]The Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre was established as a mandated organization associated with Manitoba First Nations priorities.
- 1994
Constitution adopted
[1]The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs adopted its constitution in September.
- 1990
Provincial Leader title becomes Grand Chief
[1]The AMC changed the title of its senior political leader from Provincial Leader to Grand Chief.
- 1988
Province-wide cooperation model established
[1]The Chiefs-in-Assembly formulated the basic model, mandate, and structure for the AMC and its secretariat.
- 1987
All Chiefs Unity Assembly and new provincial leadership
[1]An All Chiefs Unity Assembly adopted principles for political unity, and Louis Stevenson became the first Provincial Leader of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.
- 1971
Wahbung: Our Tomorrows is presented
[1]The Manitoba Indian Brotherhood presented its landmark policy response to Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau and the Government of Canada.
- 1969
Federal White Paper is proposed
[1]The federal government proposed a policy that would remove the distinct legal and political relationship between First Nations and Canada, prompting organized opposition from the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood and other Indigenous leaders.
Products and positioning
A collective political voice and coordinating institution for Manitoba First Nations, focused on treaty relationships, self-determination, governance, and community priorities.
Advocacy and governance
Political advocacy and representation
The AMC represents Manitoba First Nations collectively in discussions with federal and provincial governments and in public policy debates. Its work includes advancing common positions on treaty relationships, jurisdiction, governance, social policy, and other matters determined by Manitoba chiefs.
Administrative and policy support · 1988
AMC secretariat
The secretariat provides the administrative, policy, communications, and coordination capacity needed to support the Chiefs-in-Assembly and the organization’s province-wide mandate.
Institutional coordination
Support for mandated organizations
The AMC’s wider institutional network has included organizations working in First Nations education, treaty relations, economic growth, economic development, health, and social services. These bodies extend the practical reach of province-wide First Nations priorities.
Marketing campaigns
- 1971Wahbung: Our Tomorrows
Manitoba · Canada
The Manitoba Indian Brotherhood presented a detailed policy response rejecting the federal White Paper’s proposed restructuring of the relationship between First Nations and Canada.
Outcome. The White Paper was abandoned, and the position paper became an influential contribution to Indigenous rights and self-determination debates.
Brand decisions
1990
Leadership title changed to Grand ChiefOtherBackground
The organization had operated with a Provincial Leader following its renewed formation in 1987.
Action taken
The title of Provincial Leader was changed to Grand Chief.
Aftermath
The Grand Chief became the established title for the AMC’s senior political leadership.
1988
Adoption of a province-wide cooperation modelStrategyBackground
After the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood dissolved and an All Chiefs Unity Assembly renewed efforts toward political unity, Manitoba chiefs needed a durable province-wide representative structure.
Action taken
The Chiefs-in-Assembly established the basic mandate and organizational model for the AMC and its secretariat.
Aftermath
The model became the foundation for the AMC’s continuing role as a collective political and coordinating body.
Sources2 sources
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