Wab Kinew to introduce and swear in his Manitoba cabinet next week

Manitoba premier-designate Wab Kinew's new executive council will be announced and sworn in on Wednesday.

The ceremony will be colourful and tradition-filled, and honour the seven Indigenous nations in Manitoba, a news release from the incoming government said.

The seven nations are the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline, Cree, Inuit and Métis, a government spokesperson said.

The ceremony will be conducted by Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville at 10 a.m. at the Leaf in Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park. It will also feature the lighting of the Qulliq — a traditional oil lamp used by Arctic peoples — as well as performances by the Norman Chief Memorial Dancers and Dakota Hotain Singers.

Kinew, 41, became the first First Nations premier of a Canadian province when his NDP won the Manitoba general election on Oct. 3 to form a majority government.

The NDP unseated the Progressive Conservative Party by winning 34 of the province's 57 seats in the legislative assembly. The PCs won 22 and the Liberals took one.

"We are extraordinarily humbled by this incredible opportunity to represent and serve the people of our province. Our government will work together tirelessly to make life better for you," Kinew is quoted as saying in the news release about the upcoming swearing-in ceremony. 

Kinew said the executive council, known as the cabinet, will reflect the province geographically, culturally and as a society.

The cabinet will focus on addressing health care, affordability and "bringing Manitobans together to build their shared future," the release said.