MKO Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson named one of Chatelaine's 30 women of the year
Finding out she made Chatelaine's list, North Wilson said she was surprised and proud
A Manitoba chief is named one of Chatelaine's 30 women of the year in an article published on the lifestyle magazine's website on Dec. 27.
Sheila North Wilson was selected for putting a female face to indigenous leadership as the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) grand chief. The former journalist was elected on Sept. 2, and she is the first woman to fill the role.
Finding out she made Chatelaine's list, North Wilson said she was surprised and proud.
"It was quite unbelievable when I was first approached about it and to come to realize who else was on the list was even more mind blowing," she said.
"I am very humbled, very honoured. It's a list of 30 people but I know there are way more amazing women in this country."
The 29 other women listed include CBC's Rosemary Barton; who was selected for her hard-hitting journalism during Canada's 2015 federal election and Winnipeg's Jodie Layne, a sex educator at Nine Circles, who helped create safe spaces for women in several businesses around the city.
A young aboriginal teenager who was brutally attacked in Winnipeg and frequently speaks out about the issue also made the list, but a publication ban prevents CBC from naming her.