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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Civic Brief • Politician

Wab Kinew

Wab Kinew is a Canadian politician, author, broadcaster, and former university administrator who has served as premier of Manitoba since 2023 and as leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party since 2017.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Wab Kinew is a Canadian politician, author, broadcaster, and former university administrator who has served as premier of Manitoba since 2023 and as leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party since 2017. He is the MLA for Fort Rouge and is widely noted as the first provincial premier of First Nations descent in Canada.

Early life and background

Wab Kinew was born in Kenora, Ontario, and is from the Onigaming First Nation in northwestern Ontario. He is of Anishinaabe/Ojibwe heritage and has described his family background as central to his public work.

Career before politics

Before entering elected office, Kinew worked in media, music, writing, and university administration. He also held senior roles at the University of Winnipeg, including Indigenous relations work.

Political career

Kinew was elected MLA for Fort Rouge in 2016, became leader of the Manitoba NDP in 2017, and became premier after the party won the 2023 provincial election. He is Manitoba's first Indigenous premier and Canada's first provincial premier of First Nations descent.

In short

  • Born in Kenora, Ontario, in 1981 and raised in part on the Onigaming First Nation.
  • Serves as the 25th premier of Manitoba and the leader of the Manitoba NDP.
  • First elected as MLA for Fort Rouge in 2016 and became party leader in 2017.
  • Worked before politics as a broadcaster, author, musician, and university administrator.
Canadian angle

Wab Kinew is a nationally significant Canadian political figure and the first provincial premier of First Nations descent in Canada, making him especially relevant to Canadian readers interested in politics, Indigenous representation, and Manitoba history.[1][2]

Quick questions

Who is Wab Kinew?
Wab Kinew is a Canadian politician, author, broadcaster, and former university administrator who became premier of Manitoba in 2023.
What is Wab Kinew's background?
He was born in Kenora, Ontario, is from the Onigaming First Nation, and has Anishinaabe/Ojibwe heritage. Before politics, he worked in media and university administration.
How old is Wab Kinew?
Born on December 31, 1981, Wab Kinew is 44 years old as of July 23, 2026.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wab_Kinew
    Supports: Birth date, premiership, party leadership, riding, and pre-political career summary.
  2. Government of Manitoba — https://www.gov.mb.ca/minister/premier/index.html
    Supports: Official biography, office held, election history, family background, education, and professional background.
  3. University of Winnipeg — https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/50/impact/profiles/kinew.html
    Supports: University roles, education, and mention of The Reason You Walk.
  4. CBC — https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/author/wab-kinew-1.2607061
    Supports: Career overview and The Reason You Walk; media background.
  5. CBC — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/wab-kinew-profile-premier-election-1.6988740
    Supports: Background on Onigaming First Nation and father's residential school survivor history.
  6. Manitoba Historical Society — https://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/kinew_w.shtml
    Supports: Birth details, election history, and premiership.
  7. The Globe and Mail — https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-wab-kinew-manitoba-premier/
    Supports: Father's history, family background, and biography context.