About Nahanni Fontaine
When were you born?
Between 1966 and 1980 (Generation X)
Tell our readers a bit about your professional life. What do you do for a living? If you're an incumbent candidate, what did you do before you entered politics?
As a longstanding MMIWG2S+ Families advocate, women’s rights activist and educator, my career field evinces an unwavering commitment towards Indigenous justice, anti-violence/harm reduction initiatives, women’s reproductive rights and the advancement of inclusive/diversity representation in politics and law-making.
As Director of Justice for the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO), I spearheaded the development of community restorative justice programming and worked to advance Indigenous-Policing relations.
Whilst Manitoba Special Advisor on Indigenous Women’s Issues, I organized Federal Summits, Roundtables and Justice Practitioner meetings re: MMIWG2S+. I alongside produced a province-wide public awareness billboard and bus ad MMIWG2S+ campaign entitled, “What If She Was Your Daughter?” Most particularly, as Special Advisor, I yearly coordinated Manitoba MMIWG2S+ Family gatherings (and in 2015, nationally) known widely as “Wiping Away the Tears (WATT).” I also curated a permanent MMIWG2S+ monument and mural in Winnipeg.
I worked (and continue to work) directly with MMIWG2S+ Families in a myriad of court system processes together with providing other critical, frontline supports and needs.
What's the highest level of education you've attained?
Master's degree
How long have you lived in the constituency? If you don't currently live there, what led you to run there instead of where you live?
I was raised in St. Johns, Point Douglas and other parts of Winnipeg’s North End. Indeed, my family has established longstanding generational roots in these communities. My grandfather and grandmother were among the first families to leave Sagkeeng First Nation as part of the first wave of Indigenous Peoples to move to the North End in early 1950s.
After a decade living away in Montreal, I returned to St. Johns to begin my healing journey and Indigenous cultural reconnection to our Matriarchal teachings and ways of being.
While I currently reside outside the constituency, I am proud to serve St. Johns as its twice elected MLA and hope to continue advocating for the well-being of our residents here and throughout all of Manitoba.
What is the biggest challenge facing your constituency, and how would you address it?
The biggest challenge confronting St. Johns is rooted in increasing levels poverty, as manifested through a lack of affordable housing, derelict housing, community safety concerns and unsheltered individuals moving into St. Johns Park owing to a lack of critical supports for these relatives.
An NDP government is committed to strengthening rent control by enacting legislation to prevent landlords from applying unnecessary and substantial rent increases. We will establish a Ministerial approval process to provide better oversight over affordable non-profit housing, preventing situations like the distressing events at Lion's Place from reoccurring.
Additionally, we will introduce a $700 tax credit to make rent more affordable for Manitobans.
An NDP Administration will cease the cutting and selling-off of housing units, as seen during the Pallister and Stefanson era. We will construct more social and affordable housing units and invest in the maintenance of Manitoba Housing properties to reduce waitlists for proper housing across the province.
We will collaborate with the Federal Government to create hundreds more social and affordable housing units and firmly believe that, with the necessary political will, ending chronic homelessness is an achievable goal.
We will develop a comprehensive public safety strategy that brings together law enforcement, community safety patrols, educators, advocates, and families to empower every child to succeed. This includes increasing recreational opportunities, restorative justice and funding for local organizations.
Furthermore, we will establish 24/7 Drop-In Centres in Winnipeg, Brandon, and Thompson to ensure the safety of Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited Peoples.
If elected, what will be your first priority?
An NDP government’s first priority must concentrate in remedying the devasting cuts to healthcare services and related critical supports as evinced under the Pallister-Stefanson era these past seven years.
We commit to reducing ER wait times and to reopening the ERs at Victoria, Concordia and Seven Oaks hospitals. We will alongside hire 300 nurses, 400 doctors and open more clinics to serve Manitobans’ healthcare needs and the needs of healthcare professionals, homecare workers and health specialists.
Who are your role models in politics, and why?
As an Indigenous woman, MLA and social justice advocate, I am forever inspired by the prolific service of my fellow Indigenous women politicians (current and formerly serving) here in Manitoba and throughout Turtle Island, including women like Melanie Mark, Jody-Wilson Raybould, Mumilaaq Qaqqaq and my Manitoba Legislature colleague/soul sister Bernadette Smith.
I remain, what’s more, awed by the frontline resiliency and activism of MMIWG2S+ Families in their pursuit of justice for their missing and murdered loved one(s). I honour them, one and all.
Tell us something about yourself that voters might find surprising.
I am a Jane Austen fanatic, a science fiction film freak, an obsessive baker and cake-maker and animal lover like no other!
Other candidates in constituency:
Dennis Yaeger (Liberal)
Teddy Rubenstein (Progressive Conservative)
Patrick Allard (Independent)