Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak honoured two Indigenous leaders Tuesday in Winnipeg.

The first was former Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine, who has been an activist, and an advisor on Indigenous relations.

During his three terms as AFN National Chief, he negotiated the Kelowna Accord, and the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. He has received many accolades for his work including a National Aboriginal Achievement Award, the Order of Canada, and numerous honorary doctorates.

The newly elected AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse was also acknowledged.

From Pinaymootang First Nation, Woodhouse has worked as an AFN Regional Chief for Manitoba.  In that role, she helped to negotiate a $23 billion dollar child and family class-action settlement with the Federal Government of Canada last year.

Her campaign for National Chief promised to focus on child welfare, housing, economic development, policing, and other core issues.