SIOUX LOOKOUT – Sol Mamakwa of Kingfisher Lake First Nation was chosen to run for the NDP in the newly created riding of Kiiwetinoong during the 2018 provincial election by Kiiwetinoong New Democrats at a nomination meeting on Wednesday night.
“It is truly a great honour to be able to run in this election to bring a voice to the issues of all people of the Kiiwetinoong riding,” said Mamakwa. “I bring a fresh perspective to Northern issues – it is a new riding, a new voice, and a new start.
“I intend to represent all citizens that make this part of the North their home. There are many issues that impact all people in the Kiiwetinoong riding, which require immediate attention from Queen’s Park.”
Sol Mamakwa currently works for the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN) as the Health Transformation Internal Lead and Health Advisor. He has taken the lead in transforming the health care system in the NAN territory, working with both federal and provincial representatives to ensure delivery of health services are improved throughout the Kiiwetinoong riding.
He has also been active with the Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority (SLFNHA), Sioux Lookout Physicians Regional Services Inc. (SLRPSI), Co-chair of the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC), and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM).
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said that Sol Mamakwa is the MPP that she needs at Queen’s Park to be a strong voice for Kiiwetinoong.
“Sol will be a fantastic candidate and a thoughtful, caring and dedicated representative at Queen’s Park,” said Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath. “He knows the challenges that families face in the Kiiwetinoong riding, and I know he will work every day to bring change for the better to every Northern community and family he will represent.”
Sol Mamakwa has the support of Chief Eddie Mamakwa of Kingfisher Lake, and Chief Donny Morris of Kitchneuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI).
“We are proud of the work that Sol has accomplished for health transformation throughout Kiiwetinoong,” says Chief Eddie Mamakwa. “I’ve known Sol for many years and I have every confidence that we can make this work. He comes from the area which has lots of opportunities, and through Sol, we can work to make these opportunities real.”
“I, along with my Council, are pleased to support the candidacy of Sol Mamakwa with the NDP for the forthcoming provincial election,” says Chief Donny Morris. “Sol Mamakwa lived the North, knows the North and is very much a part of the North. He will be an excellent representative for all of the North.”
Kiiwetinoong has a population of approximately 33,000 and covers over one-third of Ontario in the Far North.
