The Inspiring Journey of Wab Kinew: An Indigenous Canadian Renaissance Man

Wabanakwut “Wab” Kinew has excelled in numerous fields. Currently, he serves as the 25th premier of Manitoba and was a prominent author, musician, broadcaster, and university administrator before pursuing politics. But Kinew’s journey to prominence was not an easy one. He had to overcome discrimination and alcoholism before excelling in these fields.  

His inspiring story can teach us all something about the value of perseverance, second chances, and overcoming hurdles on the path to success. 

Early Life 

Wab Kinew is a member of the Anishinaabe tribe and is the first member to serve as a Manitoba premier. The 41-year-old was born on the Onigaming First Nation, an indigenous territory that stretches across sections of southeastern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario. 

Kinew spent his early childhood in the Northern Ontario area of Onigaming First Nation. His family moved to suburban Winnipeg when he was in elementary school. Kinew’s early years were not always easy. In his 2015 memoir, The Reason You Walk, he recounted the discrimination and racial violence he experienced while living in Winnipeg. 

A gifted student, Kinew received an academic scholarship offer to attend an American university. However, he chose to attend the University of Manitoba instead, so he could stay closer to his family and the Anishinaabe community. During his time at university, Kinew engaged in dangerous activities, including drug and alcohol abuse and frequent physical altercations. 

Kinew graduated in 2003, and he was charged with impaired driving and domestic assault for separate incidents that same year. About a year later, he was arrested again following a physical altercation with a taxi driver. Kinew appeared to be headed down a very dark path. However, he eventually managed to quit drinking. He credits traditional indigenous practices like sweat lodges and sun dance events for helping him achieve his sobriety, along with participation in the Alcoholics Anonymous program. 

Hip-Hop Artist and Rapper 

Long before his time in politics, Kinew’s first love was music. In the late 90s, he was a member of the Canadian hip-hop groups Dead Indians and Slangblossum. Indigenous members comprised both groups. Kinew eventually went solo, releasing the rap album Live by the Drum in 2009. It was incredibly popular among Canadian Indigenous communities and was a critical success as well. It earned the best rap/hip-hop album award at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards. 

Broadcasting 

Soon after the release of his second rap album in 2010, Kinew transitioned to a new career in broadcasting. This pivot came about in an unconventional way. Kinew wrote a letter to the editor of the Winnipeg Press regarding Team Canada hockey. A producer for CBC Radio’s Manitoba station got in touch with Kinew to pitch a documentary feature and to offer a job as an associate producer at the station. 

Wab quickly found success in his new field. He eventually transitioned into TV reporting. His credits include serving as the host for a local Winnipeg weekly arts show called The 204, the nationally broadcasted docuseries 8th Fire, and the Al-Jazeera America docuseries Fault Lines. 

Author 

Kinew reinvented himself yet again in 2015 when he published his memoir, The Reason You Walk, which is entirely focused on his life during the year 2012. He began a journey to mend his relationship with his father following a terminal cancer diagnosis. The novel also depicts and explores Kinew’s Anishinaabe culture. The memoir was a critical and commercial success, leading to more public speaking and media opportunities.  

He has published three more books since then, including a children’s book called Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes, which features a litany of influential Indigenous figures from various eras. In 2021, he published a young adult fantasy novel called Walking in Two Worlds. 

Politician 

Kinew first began considering entering politics in 2014, when he nearly ran for a leadership role in the Assembly of First Nations. He opted not to run that year due to his recent marriage. But two years later, he ran as a Manitoba New Democratic Party candidate in the Fort Rouge district of Manitoba.  

He went on to win that election on April 19, 2016, and was named the New Democratic Party spokesperson for reconciliation. He also served as the opposition critic for Education, Advanced Learning, and Training as well as Housing and Community Development. 

Kinew continued to rise in politics in 2017 when he was elected a leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party. This was a major milestone for both Kinew and the Indigenous community. He was the first Indigenous leader of a major party in the history of Manitoba. Kinew continues to serve in this role since being re-elected in October of 2023. 

Kinew’s journey is an inspiring story of the power of redemption and second chances. He easily could have succumbed to his early struggles with addiction and his legal troubles, but managed to find success in music, broadcasting, literature, and ultimately politics. His story is an uplifting but gritty reminder of the human capacity for growth and redemption.