The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand

Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Represents the riding of Churchill—Keewatinook Aski

The Honourable Rebecca Chartrand, an Anishinaabe, Inninew, and Métis leader, was elected as the Member of Parliament for Churchill—Keewatinook Aski on April 28, 2025. On May 13, 2025, she was appointed Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, becoming the first Indigenous woman to hold this portfolio, and the first First Nations woman from Manitoba to be appointed to the Cabinet.

For 25 years, her career was in education, holding senior leadership roles in both K–12 and post-secondary institutions as well as Vice President of Indspire.

A nationally recognized advocate for Indigenous inclusion and cultural revitalization, she has served on the boards of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, the Canadian Museum of Nature, and the Indigenous Education Advisory Council.

She is the founder of the Manitoba Aboriginal Education Awards and the Council for Indigenous Education in Manitoba (now named Full Circle). Her contributions have been recognized with the Indigenous Women in Leadership Award, the Banff Leadership Award, and the Excellence in Education Award from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

Her cultural work is equally impressive. She led the creation of Manitoba’s first Ojibwe bilingual school (2016) and recently guided Seven Oaks School Division’s development of the province’s first anti-racism education policy. She is also a musician and playwright—her award-winning album Onjida and her play Those Damn Squaws reflect her deep commitment to Indigenous storytelling, healing, and truth-telling.

She brings a wealth of experience in Indigenous education, community development, and cultural leadership to her role, championing reconciliation, infrastructure investment, and economic opportunity across the North.