Wab Kinew

The Honourable

Wab Kinew

MLA
Kinew in 2024
25th Premier of Manitoba
Assumed office
October 18, 2023
MonarchCharles III
Lieutenant GovernorAnita Neville
DeputyUzoma Asagwara
Preceded byHeather Stefanson
Leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party
Assumed office
September 16, 2017
Preceded byFlor Marcelino (interim)
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for Fort Rouge
Assumed office
April 19, 2016
Preceded byJennifer Howard
Leader of the Opposition in Manitoba
In office
September 16, 2017 – October 18, 2023
Preceded byFlor Marcelino
Succeeded byHeather Stefanson
Personal details
Born
Wabanakwut Kinew

(1981-12-31) December 31, 1981 (age 44)
Kenora, Ontario, Canada
Political partyNew Democratic
Spouse(s)
Lisa Monkman
​
(m. 2014)​
Children3
EducationUniversity of Manitoba (BA)
University of Winnipeg (MA)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • broadcaster
  • musician
  • university administrator
  • author
CabinetKinew ministry
Websitewabkinew.ca Edit this at Wikidata

Wabanakwut "Wab" Kinew (born December 31, 1981) is a Canadian politician and the 25th Premier of Manitoba. He was born on December 31, 1981, in Ontario, Canada. Kinew is a member of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba (NDP) and has been serving as the Premier of Manitoba since October 2023.

Early Life and Education

Wab Kinew was born to Dr. Tobasonakwut Kinew and Dr. Kathi Avery Kinew. He is from the Onigaming First Nation in northwestern Ontario. Kinew holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Manitoba and a Master's degree in Indigenous Governance from the University of Winnipeg.

Career

Before entering politics, Kinew first enterd the hip-hop industry with the band Dead Indians, His first debut album "Live by the Drum" won the Indigenous Music Awards.He then worked as a broadcaster for the CBC hosting programs like 8th Fire, and The 204. He also worked as an administrator at the University of Winnipeg. Kinew also has written 6 books —We Are Who We Are: An Ode to Indigenous Heroes Past and Present, The Everlasting Road, Walking in Two Worlds, Go Show the World and The Reason You Walk.— all published by Penguin Books.

Political career

Kinew was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba (MLA) for Fort Rouge in 2016. In 2017, he became the leader of the Manitoba NDP and the leader of the official opposition. He became the Premier of Manitoba in October 2023. Kinew is the first First Nations preimer of Manitoba.

Personal life

Wab Kinew is married to Dr. Lisa Monkman and has three children.

Notes

References

  1. ↑ Welch, Mary Agnes (2017). "Wab Kinew". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Wab Kinew Biography". Province of Manitoba. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  3. ↑ Kinew, Wab (2018). Aanakanootandaa Anishinaabemowin: Let's Translate the Ojibwe Language (PDF) (Master of Arts thesis). University of Winnipeg.
  4. 1 2 "Who is Wab Kinew's wife, Lisa Monkman?". 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  5. ↑ "Wab Kinew". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Province of Manitoba | Office of the Premier". Province of Manitoba. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Samwel, Emanuela (2025-04-29). "Wab Kinew: Age, Net Worth, Family & Career Highlights". Mabumbe. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  8. ↑ "Wab Kinew | Penguin Random House Canada". www.penguinrandomhouse.ca. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  9. ↑ "Who is Wab Kinew, Canada's first provincial First Nations premier?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  10. ↑ "Wabanakwut "Wab" Kinew". mhs.mb.ca. Retrieved 2026-03-25.