Cindy Woodhouse (born 1982 or 1983)[1] is a Canadian First Nations (Pinaymootang First Nation) politician and the current National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.[2]
Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak | |
|---|---|
| National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations | |
| Assumed office December 7, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Joanna Bernard (interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1983 (age 40–41) |
| Political party | Liberal Party of Canada |
| Spouse | Curtis Nepinak |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence(s) | Winnipeg, Manitoba; Ottawa, Ontario |
| Alma mater | University of Winnipeg; Harvard University |
| Profession | Politician |
Prior to being elected as AFN National Chief, Woodhouse served as Manitoba regional chief from 2021 to 2023.
Early life and education
editWoodhouse was raised on the Pinaymootang First Nation, spending half the week with her parents, Garnet and Lorette Woodhouse, and half the week with her grandmother, who gave her her religious education.[1][3] Her father, Garnet Woodhouse, became chief of the Pinaymootang First Nation when Woodhouse was 4 years old, a role he held for more than 40 years.[1][4] Her great-great-great-grandfather, Richard Woodhouse, was a signatory of Treaty 2.[4] Woodhouse often attended Assembly of First Nations meetings with her parents.[1]
Woodhouse attended the Anglican-run Little Saskatchewan Day School, where she and her classmates faced "almost borderline abuse". She later attended Fairford School, where she received better treatment.[3] Woodhouse's mother was the principal of her high school; Woodhouse transferred to a different high school, Astra and Central school, because she was "tired of being around" her mother.[3]
Woodhouse attended the University of Winnipeg, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree.[1][3] While there, she and a small group of 15 to 20 others started a march for missing and murdered Indigenous women.[3]
Political career
editWoodhouse met Paul Martin through her father, and came with them on Martin's campaign for prime minister. After graduating from university, she joined Justin Trudeau's campaign in 2009, and continued working for him until 2015.[3]
First Nations leadership
editWoodhouse began working for First Nations issues while at university, as an adviser to Francis Flett.[1] She later worked for Shawn Atleo[1] and as a senior advisor for Perry Bellegarde on First Nations-related policies.[3]
In July 2021, Woodhouse was elected a regional chief of Manitoba's Assembly of First Nations.[5]
In March 2022, Woodhouse joined a First Nations delegation traveling to Rome to meet Pope Francis and discuss the Catholic Church's role in residential schools.[6][7]
Woodhouse was elected National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in early December 2023.[2]
In 2024 Air Canada apologised to Woodhouse after an incident involving her headdress.[8]
Personal life
editWoodhouse is married and has two sons; she and her family live on the reservation of the Pinaymootang First Nation in Fairford, Manitoba.[3] Woodhouse planned in 2023 to move to Ottawa for her role as National Chief.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Mike, Jamin (2023-12-08). "AFN National Chief Woodhouse thanks family, teachings for her success". Canada's National Observer. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ a b "Cindy Woodhouse wins election for Assembly of First Nations national chief". CBC. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Kielley, Kimberley (2021-09-02). "Sep 2021: Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse Wanting a better future for Manitoba First Nations". Brandon Sun. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ a b "Who is the new AFN national chief Cindy Woodhouse? | Watch News Videos Online". Global News. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "Arlen Dumas re-elected as grand chief of Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs". CBC. July 14, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ "First Nations Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse travels to Rome to meet with Pope Francis". Global News. March 31, 2022. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "Pope should give formal residential school apology in Canada: Manitoba AFN regional chief". CBC. March 30, 2022.
- ^ Chang, Arturo (25 April 2025). "Air Canada apologizes to national chief after flight crew tried to take her headdress away". CBC News. Retrieved 14 June 2024.