Wab Kinew facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wab Kinew
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Kinew in 2024
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| 25th Premier of Manitoba | |
| Assumed office October 18, 2023 |
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| Monarch | Charles III |
| Lieutenant Governor | Anita Neville |
| Deputy | Uzoma Asagwara |
| Preceded by | Heather Stefanson |
| Leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party | |
| Assumed office September 16, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Flor Marcelino (interim) |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Fort Rouge |
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| Assumed office April 19, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Jennifer Howard |
| Leader of the Opposition in Manitoba | |
| In office September 16, 2017 – October 18, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Flor Marcelino |
| Succeeded by | Heather Stefanson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Wabanakwut Kinew
December 31, 1981 Kenora, Ontario, Canada |
| Political party | New Democratic |
| Spouse |
Lisa Monkman
(m. 2014) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Crescentwood, Winnipeg |
| Alma mater | University of Manitoba (BA) (MA) |
| Occupation | Broadcaster, university administrator, musician, author |
| Cabinet | Kinew ministry |
Wabanakwut "Wab" Kinew (born December 31, 1981) is a Canadian politician. He has served as the 25th premier of Manitoba since October 18, 2023. He is also the leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party (NDP) since September 16, 2017. Kinew represents Fort Rouge in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. He was the leader of the Opposition from 2017 until the NDP won the 2023 provincial election.
Before becoming a politician, Kinew was an author, musician, broadcaster, and university administrator. He was well-known as a host for CBC Radio and CBC Television. Kinew is Canada's first provincial premier of First Nations background. He is also Manitoba's first Indigenous premier since Métis Premier John Norquay in 1887.
Early Life and Education
Wabanakwut "Wab" Kinew was born on December 31, 1981, in Kenora, Ontario. His family is from the Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. His father, Tobasonakwut Kinew, was a former chief and a professor. His mother, Dr. Kathi Avery Kinew, was a policy analyst.
Kinew moved to Winnipeg with his parents when he was a child. He attended Collège Béliveau, a French immersion school. He spent summers in Onigaming. He graduated from the University of Winnipeg Collegiate, a private high school. Kinew earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Manitoba. He later studied for a master’s degree in Indigenous governance.
Wab Kinew's Career Journey
Broadcasting and Media Work
Kinew started in broadcasting after the Winnipeg Free Press published a letter he wrote. A local CBC Radio producer then asked him to create a documentary.
In 2010, Kinew was a finalist for the Future Leaders of Manitoba award. He has been a reporter and host for CBC's radio and television. This included the arts show The 204 in Winnipeg and the national series 8th Fire in 2012. He also hosted Fault Lines on Al Jazeera America.
In 2014, he was a panelist on CBC Radio's Canada Reads. He defended Joseph Boyden's novel The Orenda, which won the competition. Kinew was also a guest host for Q and moderated Canada Reads in 2015.
Music Career Highlights
Kinew was part of hip-hop groups like Slangblossom and the Dead Indians in the mid-2000s. He released his first solo CD as a rapper, Live by the Drum, in 2009. This CD won an Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award for Best Rap/Hip-Hop CD. His second CD, Mide-Sun, came out in 2010.
Albums Released
| Year | Album details | Awards |
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| 2009 | Live By the Drum
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Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award |
| 2010 | Mide-Sun
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University Leadership Roles
In 2011, the University of Winnipeg appointed Kinew as its first director of Indigenous Inclusion. In 2014, he became the associate vice-president of Indigenous Relations. He is also an honorary witness for the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This means he helps share the stories and experiences of residential school survivors.
On October 25, 2014, Kinew received an honorary doctorate degree from Cape Breton University.
Books by Wab Kinew
Kinew has written four books, all published by Penguin Canada. These are The Reason You Walk, Go Show the World, Walking in Two Worlds, and The Everlasting Road.
The Reason You Walk is a memoir about Kinew's journey to reconnect with his father and his Indigenous heritage. The book received the 2016 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for non-fiction.
In 2018, Kinew published a children's book, Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes. It tells stories of important figures in First Nations history, like John Herrington and Sacagawea. He was inspired by Barack Obama's Of Thee I Sing. The book was shortlisted for the 2018 Governor General’s Literary Award for young people’s literature.
In 2021, Kinew released Walking in Two Worlds. This is a young adult fantasy novel. It features an Indigenous teen girl balancing the real world with a virtual video-game universe. The book won an Aurora Award for science fiction and fantasy in 2022.
Political Journey
Kinew considered running for the leadership of the Assembly of First Nations in 2014. However, he decided not to at that time.
In 2016, he became a candidate for the Manitoba New Democratic Party. He ran for the riding of Fort Rouge in the 2016 provincial election. Kinew won the election, defeating Manitoba Liberal Party leader Rana Bokhari. He was then named the NDP's spokesperson for reconciliation. He also became the opposition critic for Education, Advanced Learning, Training, Housing, and Community Development.
Kinew became the leader of the Manitoba NDP on September 16, 2017. He won against former cabinet minister Steve Ashton. This made Kinew the first elected First Nations leader of a major political party in Manitoba's history.
In 2017, Kinew introduced Bill 223 to make September 30 Orange Shirt Day. This day honours residential school survivors. In 2019, he introduced Bill 228, the Sikh Heritage Month Act. He also proposed a private member's bill to recognize Métis leader Louis Riel as an honorary first premier. This bill would also require Riel's contributions to be taught in schools.
Kinew led the Manitoba NDP in the 2019 provincial election. The party gained six seats. However, the Progressive Conservative Party won the election again.
Kinew continued as leader after the 2019 election. The NDP gained popularity. In the 2023 provincial election, the NDP focused on improving healthcare. The NDP won the election. This made Kinew the first First Nations person to be elected a provincial premier in Canada. He is the second Indigenous person overall to hold this role.
Premier of Manitoba (2023–Present)
Kinew was sworn in as Premier of Manitoba on October 18, 2023. During his first year as premier, Kinew kept his promise of a provincial fuel tax holiday. This holiday lasted until the end of 2024. His government also announced a 5-point plan to improve community safety. This included a program for monitoring people who often commit offences.
Kinew also promised to make Manitoba's healthcare system stronger. By December 2024, his government expanded existing health clinics and opened new neighbourhood health clinics. Plastic health cards began to be introduced in 2025. The NDP's 2024 budget increased spending by 6%. In 2025, he signed agreements with other provinces to reduce trade barriers. This happened during the United States trade war with Canada.
Community Safety Initiatives
Kinew's government has focused on community safety. They created a task force to address concerns related to public well-being.
Energy Policies
The Kinew government stopped some electricity exports to the United States. They redirected this hydro power to projects within Canada.
Housing Support
In December 2024, Kinew's government committed to helping people experiencing homelessness. They planned to move people from temporary shelters into proper housing starting in 2025.
Indigenous Relations
The Manitoba government under Wab Kinew created a new Manitoba Crown Indigenous Corporation. This organization works to improve relationships and support Indigenous communities.
Infrastructure Development
Kinew has supported expanding the Port of Churchill. A $51 million investment helped improve the Hudson Bay rail line. It also built a new critical-minerals storage facility at the Port of Churchill. This project aims to increase trade in the northern regions.
Personal Life
Kinew faced challenges growing up in suburban Winnipeg. He worked hard to overcome personal difficulties.
In September 2016, Kinew married Dr. Lisa Monkman. She is an Ojibwe family physician. The couple welcomed a son in May 2017. Kinew also has two sons from a previous relationship.
Kinew is trilingual: he speaks Ojibwe, English, and French.
