Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakinak’s Santa Express is back for 2023.

Grand Chief Garrison Settee made the announcement yesterday in Winnipeg.

The program began in 2007 as a way to ensure youth in remote and rural areas have an opportunity to visit with Santa Claus.

Around 12-thousand Christmas treat bags are prepared for distribution to northern MKO first nations on December 13th and 14th.

This year, a group of volunteers from the youth pre-employment program at Shawenim Abinojii donated their time to help fill those treat bags which include candies and small toys.