The country's first-ever First Nations premier has roots in Northwestern Ontario.
Wab Kinew, who was born in Kenora and spent his early years living on the Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, is leader of the Manitoba NDP and led the party to an election victory on Tuesday.
As of Wednesday morning, the NDP were ahead or declared in 34 seats, which would give the party a majority mandate in the next term of the legislature.
Kinew, now the premier-designate, has been the leader of the Manitoba NDP since 2017.
Ontario NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa, who represents the northern Kiiwetinoong riding, was among those offering congratulations on social media.
"Tonight Manitoba made history by electing their first Anishnabe premier," Mamakwa wrote on Facebook. "This is a very big day for Manitoba, and for Indigenous representation."
