Aboriginal Education Research Forum 2024

Kevin Chief

Kevin Chief is Principal of Chief Partnerships Manitoba Incorporated. He is currently Community Ambassador for the Southern Chiefs' Organization, chairperson for the Centre of Aboriginal Human Resource Development Inc., and Senior Advisor at True North Sports and Entertainment. Kevin brings a commitment to community and leadership development through his dedication to education, training, and employment.

Born and raised in Winnipeg’s North End, he has considerable public sector and community experience. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, representing Point Douglas, and was appointed to Cabinet as Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities in 2012, Minister responsible for the City of Winnipeg in 2013, and Minister of Jobs and the Economy in 2014. Following public service, Kevin was the Vice President at the Business Council of Manitoba. Chief is the co-founder of the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre.

Kevin and his wife Melanie have three young sons: Hayden, Kellan, and Daxton. He is a member of Minegoziibe Anishinabe First Nation (Pine Creek) and also known as a high steppin’ square dancer as a part of the Norman Chief Memorial Dancers.

Jason Parenteau

Jason Parenteau, a respected member of the Lenape Nation in Southwestern Ontario, embodies a profound connection with both traditional and contemporary Indigenous practices. As the owner of Miikwan Consulting, an Indigenous Education Company, his dedication to supporting communities through land-based activities showcases a deep commitment to cultural preservation and environmental stewardship. Engaging in hunting, fishing, medicine-picking, and survival skills, Jason advocates for the importance of these practices in sustaining both physical and spiritual wellness. His personal lifestyle, which emphasizes a diet rich in wild game such as deer, goose, rabbit, and fish, reflects a harmonious balance with nature and a dedication to providing for his community.